The Best Type Of Soil To Grow Container Tomatoes In

Tomato lovers needn't despair if they don't have room for a garden or a nearby farmer's market. As long as you have a spot with six hours of direct sun daily, you can grow your own tomatoes without weeding worries or soil-borne disease concerns. The trick to thriving container tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) is a soilless growing medium that's readily available at most garden stores. If you're new to gardening, the concept of potting soil-free potting mix may seem odd, but it's the best thing for your tomato plants. There are real differences between potting soil and garden soil.

The best potting medium stays moist but drains well, reducing the chance of root rot, a fungal condition sometimes worsened by too much water. Regular soil compacts over time, restricting root growth, and may also harbor weed seeds and pathogens that cause root rot, wilts, and blights. Soilless potting mixes generally contain an organic component like coir (coconut shell fiber) or peat moss that holds water and an inorganic ingredient such as vermiculite or perlite that keeps the mix from compacting. To make your own, mix equal parts of peat moss (or coir) and vermiculite (or perlite), then add smaller amounts of the supplements dolomitic lime, superphosphate, and fertilizer.

There are a few things to look for when buying a tomato-growing container. As a general rule, the larger the container, the better. Tomato plants will have room to grow, and provide a greater yield. Small tomato varieties, like cherry tomatoes, need at least a two gallon container, around 10 inches in diameter. Larger tomatoes need containers of at least four gallons (14 inches in diameter).

Upsize the container if you're growing multiple tomato plants in a single pot. Make sure the container has drainage holes, and don't use pebbles or rocks as a barrier between the potting mix and the holes; they will actually hinder drainage. Unglazed clay pots may be more aesthetically pleasing, but they dry out faster, encouraging roots to grow along the sides. Choose plastic containers or use the double pot method for clay by inserting a smaller pot into a larger one.

If you've purchased soilless potting mix, it may already contain fertilizer. If it does, you don't need to start adding any extra until mid-summer. Otherwise, plan to add a water-soluble 15-30-15 or 20-20-20 product once a week. Tomatoes grown in containers need frequent watering, sometimes as often as every day when conditions are hot and windy. No matter the conditions, never let the soil dry out completely. Water until liquid flows out of the bottom of the container, but don't overdo it – a common container gardening mistake. If the plants get too tall, add some support with stakes or a trellis.