Ever wondered which plant is most beneficial in the garden? All plants are healthy if they are fed well and also they are taken reasonable care in all of aspects. It doesn’t matter which plant you are planting. Your goal is decoration, fruit, or both. If there is good care, there is a good result.
But what about vegetables? The same goes for vegetables. You can grow the vegetables and get the same results as you wanted if you are providing them with what is required. In this blog, we are going to talk about one of the most important and liked tomato plants.
It has been observed if the start is well, the end is well. Here while growing tomatoes at home in containers, many people fail to consider the importance of preparing the containers. So, we are going to discuss how to prepare containers for planting tomatoes.
Why Plant Tomatoes?
Tomatoes are included in the fruit category. But most people around the sphere perceive it as a vegetable. And also, it is used as a vegetable in most dishes. But you can say in almost all dishes it is used. People also take tomatoes as fruit and eat them raw.
We all know how useful tomatoes are. These can be used in many forms. Also, some important nutrients are present in tomatoes that are absent in other fruits or vegetables.
As technology developed, there have been new varieties developed. These varieties have different taste, which is almost liked by everyone. Also, these varieties are evergreen, or able to deliver good harvests in a short period. These can be different in the shape, or size.
Why Prepare a Container For Planting Tomatoes?
As being gardener, you know the basics of gardening. It is needed for every plant, vegetable, or fruit to have good soil or a container because it not only provides the essential nutrients but also the support and base for growth.
When there is good soil and a container for any of the plants it thrives well. The same goes for tomatoes. If you have been able to prepare good containers, with good nutrients, and good soil. and required water supply. You are bound to get a good harvest. The harvest which you will enjoy.
Along with that, having a well-prepared container for any of the plants or the tomatoes provides good defense against the pests and diseases of the plant. In this way, you would not be able to save your tomato plant from the loss, but also you would be able to save other plants too.
Preparing Containers for Planting Tomatoes
Now as you have decided to plant the tomatoes. It is a good decision to plant the tomatoes in the container. If you don’t have space, you can rotate these plants. Along with that, this will be a great addition to any of the space, whether it’s a hanging container or placed one.
You will enjoy the presence of tomato containers in your yard whether it is on the balcony, or it is in any other place in the apartment.
Selection Of Container For Planting Tomatoes
Before doing anything, first, check the space where you are going to put the containers. It can be a hanging space or it can be a space in the yard, or on the balcony where containers will be placed. It is because you need to select the containers accordingly.
Now as you have checked the space, you can select the pot or a container. For tomatoes, there is only one rule. The bigger the pot the better the tomato plant. So select the container as much bigger as you can. It will have greater benefits.
The bigger container is important because there are specific varieties of tomatoes that are grown in the containers. When you grow these varieties you need a good amount of space. And this space can only be provided with the bigger containers.
You can opt for fabric containers or select containers made of clay or plastic. But the fabric containers have such qualities that other containers don’t. You can choose clay pots/containers rather than plastic ones. At least they breathe.
Basic Container Requirements For Tomato Plant
You need to see two basic things. Draining system of the container and the breathing system. In plastic containers, roots are not able to breathe. And also when roots grow they go in round and round shapes. This finally leads to the root bound of the plant.
In the fabric containers, roots get out from the containers. As these roots are new, when air touches them they are burnt. There are no more roots left. Only those roots are left which are the important and the main sources of food, and nutrient supply to the plant.
Moreover, in the plastic containers, you would not see the proper draining. There is only one hole. But in the fabric containers, there is a good draining system. Also, it is present in clay pots along with drainage holes. Good draining helps in avoiding water logging.
In short, select a fabric container that is big in the size. You would be able to grow the tomatoes well, as well as you would be able to provide good drainage and support to the tomato plants.
Also, Read
How to Plant Mr. Stripey Tomatoes
How To Grow Sungold Cherry Tomatoes In Containers
Soil Requirement For Tomato Containers
You have got the container, now it is time to fill it. Don’t use the common gardening soil, it is not enough for the tomatoes to be grown in the containers. It usually dries out quickly and is poor in draining the water. It may contain weed seeds and other complexities.
Also, don’t use soil mixes. These mixes are not good for tomato plants either. These also can contain harmful materials. Use the proper potting soil, which is usually available in gardening shops, or you can order it online. This is good soil for tomatoes. They keep the moisture and rain it well when it is in excess.
Coming to the filling, you need to fill the soil into the container. Fill when you see only 3 to 5 inches are left. It should be enough to cover the roots and basic stem of the newly transplanted tomato. Once filled you can add the fertilizers later as needed. You can add 5-10-5 fertilizers or superphosphate.
You can also add organic fertilizers or with the consultation of local horticulturists based on the plant’s condition and requirements.
Placement of Containers for tomatoes
As of now, you have filed the containers. Tomatoes are such plants they need a good amount of sunlight. Tomatoes love the sunlight, and they need it for at least 6 hours a day. If not provided with sunlight properly, they might not grow well. So, place the containers in a sunny place.
It is important to note, as you are growing the tomatoes in the containers you can move them easily to the sunlight. Also, keep the containers close to each other so that their roots are safe and are not fully exposed to the sun. But make sure there is good space for air supply. Keeping close will keep them in the shade of each other.
Water Supply for The Containers To Plant Tomatoes
Water supply is important for any plant. Tomatoes need a good amount of water. You just need to make sure that you have arranged a good amount of water supply for the tomato plants. A steady supply of water will keep the tomatoes green and healthy.
Tomatoes need a good amount of water. As being present in the sunlight for most of the time, and being watery fruit requires a good amount of water. Also, you might need to water the tomatoes twice a day when they are gaining size. So keep the water sources prepared for tomatoes in the container.
Supports Arrangements for Containers/tomatoes
As mentioned earlier, there are some particular varieties of tomatoes that are grown in the containers. When there are well-prepared containers, good sunlight, and a good supply of water tomatoes grow well. It gains in size and plant length as well.
So, the final call to prepare the container for the tomatoes is to get support for the plants. You can use a best-performing tomato cage to support the tomato plants. It is because fully-grown tomatoes are heavy. There is fear that the tomato plants might get cracked, and finally, we may lose it.
Following all these steps, you have now prepared the container to plant the tomatoes. Now it turns out to get the results. Finally, select the right variety for the containers, and if you want to grow them further in the garden bed transplant them with care. Transplant the healthy ones. Provide a good amount of water and moisture to them.
As you have already prepared a good container, there is one thing you get at the end. Enjoy the fruit of your efforts.
