The Compact Tomato Perfect For Containers That Looks So Unique & Tastes Delicious

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If your tomato plants usually behave like they are trying to take over the entire yard, you are not alone. Many types of tomatoes have an indeterminate growth habit. These keep stretching and spreading until they die and are not ideal for growing in containers. That is where compact tomato varieties like 'Purple Reign' tomato come in. It is a unique dwarf tomato cultivar that is known for tidy growth and a high yield, with unique purple-hued fruit. It was developed by U.S. tomato breeder Dean Slater with a simple goal: Develop a compact cultivar with high yield.

The creation was a success. The 'Purple Reign' tomato grows only 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, but it still produces an impressive yield of tomatoes that weigh nearly 6 to 12 ounces each. Even better? Its flesh has a smooth texture and a smoky, sweet flavor, receiving a 5+ rating in tasting trials. The fruit also looks very unique with a ribbed beefsteak shape, purple flesh, and rounded shoulders. In addition, the 'Purple Reign' tomato is quite low-maintenance, and it performs exceptionally well in containers.

Just keep in mind that despite being compact and container-friendly, the 'Purple Reign' tomato might still need some sort of support because its branches can get heavy with fruit quickly. So, make sure you have a cage nearby in case that happens. And if you don't have a cage, there are other alternatives to support your tomato plants.

If you are planning to grow 'Purple Reign' tomatoes in containers, it is best to start seeds indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area, and transplant the seedlings outside when all danger of frost has passed. The plants germinate in about 7 to 10 days and take about 85 days to reach maturity after transplanting. You can also save some time by growing 'Purple Reign' tomatoes from pre-grown nursery plants.

When planting, choose a container that is at least 5 gallons in size. Don't use containers that are too small. Tomato plants don't like being root-bound, and if they get root-bound, they produce less fruit. Make sure the soil drains well because tomatoes generally perform poorly in wet soils. Adjust the soil pH as needed to make sure it's between neutral and slightly acidic. There are many home-based soil testing kits, like the SONKIR Soil pH Meter, that you can use to measure the pH of your soil at home. 

Then, when everything is ready, and your plants are in place, water and fertilize regularly. Just don't let the soil become soggy, and use a balanced fertilizer with phosphorus and potassium to boost fruit development. Follow all the label guidelines when using the fertilizer and never overfertilize. Soon, the flowers and fruit will appear. You can harvest the tomatoes as soon as the bottoms of the fruits start to blush and let them mature indoors, or let them fully ripen on the plant.