All sorts of previous discussions here on growing tomatoes in containers linked below. You'll also find many more discussions about it over on the Container Gardening forum here.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Tomatoes in Containers discussions

All I know is that out of all the plants in my container garden, tomatoes are the most fickle. Look at them cross eyed and 10 green tomatoes will start to blossom end rot. Growing in ground is far more forgiving than in containers where you pretty much have to keep a constant nutrient soup going all summer long. And don't water too much or water too little or feed too much nitrogen or feed too little nitrogen ... because whatever you do too much of or too little of, the tomato plants will let you know.

That's why I now like eggplants. They're far from needy and it turns out a lot of people like cooking with eggplants so I can get rid of that produce easily.

Growing tomatoes in containers is a terrific way to have a good crop, especially for those who have apartments, balconies, or small yards. Three keys to success: large containers (more than 5 gallons), regular watering (even daily), and a sustained fertilizing program (every 7-14 days) because nutrients leach out of containers. Learn more at the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Dirt: Growing Tomatoes in Pots

For me, not worth the trouble in summer except for small "cherry" types. Specifically "Sprite", actually a grape tomato. Any good sized tomato grown here in a container in the summer needs daily watering, and does not produce anywhere near what one in the ground will.

I started some in my greenhouse early this spring, then moved them outside at tomato planting time. Got some early tomatoes, but they are done now, and did not do that well.
I just started germinating some seed to try this fall in the greenhouse, but do not expect much. But, otherwise I would not eat any tomatoes near Thanksgiving, except canned.

Thanks a lot guys for telling me the truth behind that. I thought i could easily do it but i was wrong. Now when i know, i will take special care before starting next time :)

I grow tomatoes (veggies & herbs) in containers and I have had very good luck with them. This year, I grew 19 tomato plants (lost one to wilt). The rest have kept me busy harvesting, roasting and freezing with very few foliage issues.

You could try just a few plants as I did the first year. Don't buy box store plants - go to a reputable nursery where the plants are grown locally. They will be healthier from the start and are generally better tended until purchase.

If you already have a set up for seed starting, start you own tomatoes. My friends are always excited to get some of my homegrown tomato and veggie transplants.

I would give it a try if you have limited space or time.

I've got 50 tomato plants in containers on my decks (I have lots of decks, but an unusable yard) and get a good yield. The key is even watering, so I have the pots hooked up to an irrigation system. I fertilize every 7-14 days depending on how the plants look. There is also the option of self-watering containers which many folks here use.

I have grown tomatoes in containers and gotten wonderful
results. They just take a bit more care in making sure
there's enough moisture and nutrients in the containers.

Yes, this is a healthy and safe activity for tomatoes.

You can do it pretty easily. Not plant and forget of
course, but then that's a recipe for disaster for any
plant.

Give it a try. You don't have that much to lose after all.
You may be pleasantly surprised at the results.

I use earthboxes and they are terrific. I get a great crop without that much care. There are quite a few good self watering containers that are good for tomatoes and you don't need to continuously feed.

I have also sucessfully grown tomato plants in containers this summer. I used 55gallon plastic drums cut down to a 20 gallon. I have had great yields. The plants are on my balcony along with all the hot pepper plants. All have been doing excellent and showing no signs of letting up. They do however need a little more care. Daily watering for sure (it's been above 95F for most of the summer in Philly), minimal nitrogen fertilizer, but still necessary. Plenty of phosphorus and potassium. I go about 1/2 strength once a week. It is worth the extra trouble to me. Well, it isn't any trouble at all really. I enjoy it!

I've done it. Just have a big enough pot. I like containers because you get very early yield (i did)...i had ripe tomatoes in June in Wisconsin! I may just move more of my operation into pots.

* Posted by tdscpa z5 NWKS (My Page) on
Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 6:52

For me, not worth the trouble in summer except for small "cherry" types. Specifically "Sprite", actually a grape tomato. Any good sized tomato grown here in a container in the summer needs daily watering, and does not produce anywhere near what one in the ground will.

I started some in my greenhouse early this spring, then moved them outside at tomato planting time. Got some early tomatoes, but they are done now, and did not do that well.
I just started germinating some seed to try this fall in the greenhouse, but do not expect much. But, otherwise I would not eat any tomatoes near Thanksgiving, except canned.

Let not compare in ground vs containers that is not the issue many of us dont have ground or greenhouses and grow fine tomatoes in containers 5 gallons and more , no need to boast of acreage or a greenhouse

Any tomato plant will do just as good as an in ground plant if given a large enough container with proper drainage, the right medium, a balanced fertilizer and the right amount of water. YMMV

dickiefickle:

I'm glad for you up there in cheese-head land. Good that you enjoy constant watering of container tomatoes. I have been watering a dozen container tomatoes all summer in 100F temperatures. (Not a boast, idiot!) I don't see why you would consider anything I wrote in my first post as a "boast".

I should cite your problem as an "inferiority complex", but I don't think you have a complex. You are just inferior.

Happy gasping.

tdcpa I totally agree with you about df.
Back to the subject at hand. Have you ever thought about a drip system and a timer? I don't have a fancy timer but all I have to do is set the timer and it turns off by itself. I've got soaker hoses going to the garden beds and a drip system going to containers with Ys and Ts and several hoses with a valve on each hose and all hooked to 1 timer. I can limit the flow to each bed by opening or closing a valve. This is my first year with this system and it's so much better than using a wand and dragging a hose around. It's worth the 3 hours I spent cutting and joining hoses at the beginning of the season. Everything you need can be found at a hardware store fairly cheap. In fact I found all the hose and the timer in a dumpster where I work parttime. I just had to buy the Y,T fittings, hose clamps, valves and joiners. Next year I'm going to try a gravity feed and SWC setup using a plastic 55 gallon reservoir, buckets and flex pvc pipe. I might have to fill the reservoir once if we get little to no rain but otherwise it will be completely automated.

taz:

I have a complete drip system that waters my garden. I have a timer (two, actually), but have never got around to setting it up to use it in my garden, greenhouse, or outside containers. (My lawn has an automated sprinkler system, which I still use).

I would have to run wires across a sidewalk in two different locations to control the two separate regulators that feed my garden drip system. If I did that, I would have to reattach, repair, or replace two sets of wires about every other day during the irrigation season, as they would have to span a sidewalk that I use to move equipment on, drag containers on, etc.

I just do not leave home often enough, or for long enough during growing season to need to use it to water my garden. It is easier to turn it on and off manually, while I am out there every day in season, than hook it up, and have to go inside my shop and set a timer.

In the 2 or 3 occasions when I needed help during gardening seasons, I have always found a neighbor perfectly willing to water my garden for me. That is probably largely due to the fact that I overwinter plants in my greenhouse for a couple of them, provide tomato and pepper seedlings to two of them, and supply at least 8 of my closest neighbors with ripe produce (tomatoes, peppers, onions, corn, melons, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers), in season.

Since I have been gardening, I just do not leave home often enough during gardening season to warrant hooking it up. It will water while I am out there weeding, harvesting, planting, mulching, or just puttering in my shop, if I turn it on. Easy enough to turn it off when I go inside my house.

I could save some labor, I suppose, if I set up a drip system to water inside my greenhouse or the plants on the sidewalk bordering my garden, but, during the growing season, I have nothing else to do, and am out there anyway, so, it is just easier to move a hose around than to build another drip system for the greenhouse, or my container plants that reside on the sidewalk.

The greenhouse plants only need to be watered about once a week during the fall, winter, and early spring, and since I am getting lazier, I will not grow container plants next summer. Problem largely solved.

taz:

Here is what my garden and irrigation system look like in the spring before garden starts growing.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Lmao! Didn't realize this was such a touchy subject! I on the other hand enjoy taking care of the plants in containers. All of mine are big enough. 55gallon drums cut down to about 20G. Had no trouble, and when it is hot outside, I shade them and water daily. I'm still a rookie, but I'm almost certain that gardening tecniques are a matter of preference. Some people like containers better, some just don't have the space. I live in south Philly and my yard is a concrete jungle. I had no choice in the matter. Just did my best to make sure they had enough space to grow.
Anyway, I peeked at this forum because I was searching for some tricks or tecniques ppl use for container gardening. I guess this is frowned upon since container gardeners have "inferiority complexes", or was that just a shot at DF? Ohh well, like I said, I'm new to this and would appreciate any input. Anybody have any advice on building a small greenhouse? I was told PVC and heavy duty platic is all I need. Any tips? I'd like to start some new seeds.

I have them in seven-gallon black nursery pots and only water them twice a week at the most, usually once a week.

Of course, I don't just pour potting soil in it, dig a hole, plant the mater and forget it. I line the container with newspaper and make my own mix - silty dirt, used potting mix (has tiny root hairs in it), mature compost and horse manure.

Mike