![]() Instead, they branch off and form new, shorter, fibrous feeder roots. This exposure “burns off” the tips of the roots, which stops them from growing long and spindly. Roots in fabric pots, on the other hand, are exposed to air as they grow. When the roots in plastic pots grow long enough to hit the sides of the pot, they continue to grow round and round in a constricted pattern (spiraling, kinking, and twisting around themselves), eventually becoming rootbound. The effects of air pruning in breathable fabric pots are best seen when compared side by side with plants contained in non-porous plastic pots. ![]() Choose the right type of tomato.ĭeterminate types (also called bush, compact, or patio plants) are usually the best tomato plants for containers, as they grow to a predetermined size-no more than 3 to 4 feet tall-and set flowers and fruits all at once, making them reliable and predictable in tight quarters.įabric pots are beneficial for plants with extensive root systems because they naturally “air prune” the roots. If you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission. Then, follow my tested-and-true tips below to learn how you can maximize the minimal space you have and cultivate healthy, vigorous tomato plants in your small-space container garden! Disclosure: All products on this page are independently selected. (If your yard is shadier than you’d like, here are a few options for tomatoes that can grow in shade.) The key to being wildly successful with growing tomatoes in pots is proper planning.įirst, make sure you choose a location with at least 8 to 10 hours of sun (6 hours is the bare minimum, but more is much better). So what’s the first thing you need to know? There are currently more than 40 AGM tomatoes to choose from – for a selection, see Recommended varieties, below.How to successfully grow tomatoes in containers There are miniature round fruits, elongated plum varieties, smooth uniform salad tomatoes and huge, wrinkled, mis-shapen beefsteaks, all full of flavour and with their own individual characters.įor varieties that will reliably produce good crops, look for those with an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which means they performed well in RHS growing trials. There are heirloom varieties, grown for many generations, as well as modern, blight-resistant choices. Fruit colours range from traditional red to dark purple, pink, orange, yellow or green, and even striped. ![]() There are also lots of varieties to choose from, offering fruits of various sizes, shapes, flavours and textures. The stems don’t usually need support, except if heavily laden with fruit.Ĭheck seed packets or plant labels before buying, to ensure you get the right type to suit your needs. These are the easiest type to grow and need little maintenance apart from watering and feeding. Smaller types can also be grown in hanging baskets, with the stems trailing over the sides. They require regular maintenance – watering, feeding, tying to supports and pinching out side-shoots.īush (or determinate) tomatoes are shorter and wider, great for smaller gardens, pots and growing bags. They are useful when space is limited, as plants grow vertically, tall and narrow, and produce a heavy crop. They are great for growing in a greenhouse, but will also do well in a sunny spot outdoors, either in the ground or in large pots against a south-facing wall. ![]() Tomatoes generally have two ways of growing:Ĭordon (or indeterminate) tomatoes grow tall, up to 1.8m (6ft), and require tall supports. Small-fruited varieties tend to be the easiest, fastest to fruit and most prolific, but it’s well worth experimenting with all the different types. There are plants of various sizes too, for different growing locations and amounts of space, from tall and vigorous cordon varieties to more compact bush types, as well as dwarf varieties for small containers and even trailing plants for hanging baskets. There are fruits of different sizes, flavours, textures and colours, to suit all tastes – far more choice than you get in the supermarket. ![]() There’s an enormous range of varieties to choose from, which is another great benefit of growing your own. But they’re well worth the effort when you can eat your own home-grown tomatoes all summer long, freshly picked, warmed by the sun, and at their sweetest, juiciest best. Tomatoes do need some attention to grow well, including protection from frost, and regular watering and feeding. In a greenhouse, they are also less likely to succumb to blight disease. They grow particularly well in a greenhouse, usually producing an earlier and larger crop than plants outdoors. RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show - TBC July 2024.RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - 17-21 July 2024.RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 2–7 July 2024.RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show - 5–10 September 2023.RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show - 18–20 August 2023. ![]()
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