Growing tomatoes in containers

Tomatoes need deep pots and much the same treatment as lettuces. Unless you have really large pots, it is best to set one tomato plant per pot.

There are many varieties of tomatoes to choose from and it is best to ask at your local garden centre for the most suitable varieties for your situation.

You will need:

A suitable sized pot say 20-30cm (about the size of a household bucket)
Potting mix (available from supermarkets, hardware stores or garden centres, preferably with organic fertiliser incorporated in the mix)
1 tomato plant per pot.

Fill your pot with potting mix and set your tomatoes in their pots in warm, sunny, sheltered spots from mid-spring in temperate climates (like New Zealand).  They can go outside from late spring most years in New Zealand.

If you buy potting mix that already has fertilizer mixed in, you probably won’t need to add more fertilizer during the growing season.

Tomato plants will need to be staked as they grow quite tall.  You will need three bamboo or other sturdy sticks per pot.

Place the bottom ends at equal distances around the pot pushing the stake as far down as you can.  Tie the tops together in wigwam style.

The little cherry tomatoes are very satisfying to grow as they crop well and are lovely to pick and eat as you wander past.

If you don’t want to stake your tomatoes, you can often buy dwarf plants from your garden centre.