Growing Tomatoes in pots is wonderful way to produce big, juicy, succulent tomatoes is by growing them in pots. This is also a great way to introduce gardening to your children, or grandchildren. Because toms are relatively fast-growing, and it's easy to see how everything is done and how the plants are progressing, kids can become quite enthralled at witnessing the results of their own gardening efforts.

What is a tomato? Most think it's a veggie when, in fact, it's a fruit.

A wide variety of tomatoes can be grown in pots and containers. I've grown them in the ground and in containers and have had success in both. They're pretty easy raise.

What Tomatoes suit containers? Enquire at your local nursery. And you'll need to, because there are new varieties coming out every year!

It really comes to down to options based on where you live. The principles presented here refer to both forms of gardening, but our emphasis in this page is on growing tomatoes in pots.

So let’s get to it!

Growing tomatoes in pots and where? Let’s assume you have a small place with full sun or a few hours of morning sun. For growing tomatoes this is fine. Two things tomatoes do dislike, though, are strong winds and a really hot afternoon sun. If you can't avoid wind, try the Cherry Tomato variety: Tiny Tim. Tiny Tims are nearly invincible!

If you have a veranda that is prone to strong winds, you may need some form of protective barrier such as a half-greenhouse half-shade house. The roof and half the sides should be covered with a see-through plastic and the rest with high-level light shade cloth. If you do choose this option, I recommend inquiring at a nursery or shop that supplies greenhouses. You can also get tips from our page Mini Greenhouse. http://www.apartment-gardening-homes.com/buildaminigreenhouse.html

Full sun is always preferable. Morning sun is great, provided there's enough of it. But you can successfully grow tomatoes in pots in a minimum of four hours sunlight.

Raising your own seedlings can give great satisfaction, because they become your little babies. You take ownership. However, If you don’t have the time to do this, you can buy your seedlings from any reputable nursery or market.

Tip: Unless you live in a tropical climate, it's best to raise your seedlings in spring or early summer.

Seeds only need warmth and water to sprout. You can raise these in a seed raising mix, or just in the potting mix that you purchased for your mature plants. I've had just as much success raising my tomato seedlings in a premium potting mix, and recommend this to save a few pennies towards purchasing a premium quality fertilizer. Great fertilizer can produce outstanding fruit, and really that’s what we are after, aren’t we?

Follow the steps below and you, too, will be on your way to eating big, delicious, red juicy Tomatoes, or maybe yellow ones?

TIPS FOR GROWING TOMATOES IN POTS: Yellow Tomatoes are great for people who suffer with acidic problems or Gout, because they are less acidic!

1. Any small container can be used, but it must have drainage holes. Check that the water drains freely after watering

TIP: Try using cardboard milk containers to start your seedlings.

2. Keep your container about 8- 10 centimeters deep.

3. Apply potting mix and water until all the soil is wet and moist. No dry spots please

4. Wait for all the water to drain away and the soil to fall, and don't pat down the potting mix. It needs to be loose and free!

5. Sprinkle in your seeds and scratch just below the surface. Use about one third of your packet. I will tell you why later!

6. Optional - but recommended - is the use of a small clear-plastic bag. Tie off your bag and create a miniature greenhouse. This will keep your seedlings moist and warm, just perfect for your little plants.

7. Place your pot in a warm sunny position away from any cool breezes or night time cool zones. A sunny windowsill is a great starting place.

8. In approximately one week your new plants will start to show, producing new leaf growth. Keep them inside their mini greenhouse where they will be nice and warm!

9. In their second week, remove them from their miniature greenhouse but retain them in the same place.

10. If they are growing too tall and look long and lanky, then they're not getting enough sun! The length is because they are growing towards the light.

11. Don’t panic or freak out, help is at hand!

12. Place them in a sunnier position if you have one available. If not, you will need a reflective mat white wall. One way is to cut a small box in half and line it with white printing paper to reflect the light.

13. You can use a larger version of this once your plants get bigger outside too. But you will need to paint a wall white, or line your larger box with something that is! Reflective paper from the hydroponics shop is just great!

Fertilizing tomatoes in pots can be done in a variety of ways. Below are a series of tips guiding you in the right direction!

1. Buy a premium potting mix containing slow-release fertilizer. This will help the growth stages.

2. Use a quality liquid fertilizer, and apply once a fortnight.

3. Flowers are appearing? You need a liquid fertilizer and quick!

4. Liquid fertilizer such as Rose Food is a great way to produce desirable fruit.

5. Choose organic, then use a liquid fish emulsion and liquid seaweed. You can actually buy the two in one bottle, so look around and see if it’s in your local nursery or supermarket

6. Never over fertilize. If in doubt, less is best.

7. Follow the recommended allowance on the bottle to avoid root and leaf burn.

Tips: 1.Pick off some flowers here and there to produce large, succulent fruit!

2. Never over-water during fruit set, as the fruit will split.

3. Place your stakes early, and train your plants vertically, to allow sunshine all over the plants.

4. Grow Sweet Basil nearby. Place around, or put in the same container. These two plants just love to be together. They are "companions" and, together, prevent disease and pests from attacking your beloved Toms!

5. Pick your tomatoes when they just start turning red for optimum flavor!

Re-potting

TIP: When re-potting your Tomato into its final container, use a very large container/pot as tomatoes love to spread out their roots for support, and to search for food!

Beware of how heavy your containers will be after watering. If you think the container/pot will be too heavy for its position, consider a container with lower sides and wider base to more evenly transfer the weight.

Also, consider buying a container with wheels so you can move it around without breaking your back. A set of these sorts of wheels is cheaper than a chiropractor.

 (Long lanky seedlings can be buried deeper into the potting mix. All the hairs that you see on the plant's stem can become roots, because tomatoes in their natural environment can layer, and grow along the ground!) So, just plant them deeper.

1. Your seedlings have now reached into their fourth leaf and are ready to grow into larger containers?

2. Replant your tomatoes on cool day or afternoon away from strong light and wind.

3. Water your seedlings until nice and wet. Don't drown them though!

4. Place two to three seedlings in each container. The strongest one is kept, with weaker pulled out later or potted into another container.

5. Why? Because Tom’s just love to grow together and provide warmth and a mini micro climate!

6. First fill your pot to approximately half full.

7. Grab your seedling keeping as much soil on the roots as possible. Don't shake off all the potting mixture!

8. Keep the root nice and straight and place into the container. Then fill the pot while holding the plant, covering the roots.

9. Now, fill in around the plant, keep the first set of leaves just above the soil line.

10. Water the container until the water is flowing freely.

11. Place in a warm position away from direct sunlight for a day until the plant has settled, then introduce back in to the sun.

12. Make sure the warm sunny position you have chosen is in a protected spot away from strong winds.

13. Test for moisture in your container daily by dipping your finger into the soil. The soil should be moist and not damp.

14. If you intend to go away for a short period use a homemade water container to keep your tomatoes watered. Just fill up the bottle, turn it upside down and stick the spout into ground.

I hope you enjoyed my article growing tomatoes in pots. Remember don't over fertilise at the beginning!

Happy Gardening,

Marty

PS: If you would like to be updated with small space and apartment gardening tips ideas, you can follow me at www.twitter.com/homesandgarden See you there!