(VIDEO) Getting Started with Tomatoes
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“There’s two things that money can’t buy; that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes,” so goes an old folk song. In my experience this is true, but with one modification. You can buy quality tomato plant starts - if you know where to look! In this article I’ll walk you through step-by-step how we grow tomatoes in containers. It’s a great option for those of us trying to grow the maximum amount of food in small spaces.
Watch, “Getting Started with Tomatoes,” on YouTube >
Should you start with seeds or plants?
It’s one of our goals to produce most of our own food. But having a network of other homesteaders with whom we can trade and share our talents is absolutely essential. Tomatoes are one example of how we put this value into action.
We’ve had mixed success with starting seeds in the nightshade family (tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers). That’s just fine because my friend and co-worker Connie has a special gift for growing these plants. In fact she’s got a reputation as, “The Tomato Lady.”
There is a very high likelihood that your area has a Tomato Lady too. Check with any local online homesteading groups or garden clubs. The next best thing would be a small nursery or family hardware store plant selection.
If you want to start growing your own tomatoes from seed, Connie recommends the Monica Hemingway’s videos on YouTube.
Starting with a strong, sturdy, healthy plant is an advantage for many reasons. These include better disease and pest resistance, more nutritious food, and larger harvest.
When do you plant tomatoes outside?
Tomatoes love warm weather. Too hot or cold and they get stressed. Nighttime temperatures are the most critical. Anything below 40° is too cold. The low 40s are dicey, and above 50° is ideal. Our region of the Pacific Northwest is not ideal for growing tomatoes so we have to be extra vigilant. Our season can be shorter and cooler so we have to help tomatoes along a bit. I’ll explain more in the supplies section.
What basic supplies do you need to grow tomatoes?
In addition to a healthy tomato plant, you will need the following:
Container. We use a mix of plastic containers we’ve acquired over the years. The minimum size we use for growing tomatoes is 24” across. We are still using plastic laundry tubs we got on sale for $5 at Target 10 years ago, and they work great!
Soil or growing medium. We use our special recipe soil mix in containers. If you go with a pre-made, bagged variety, purchase the highest quality product you can afford. Plain soil out of the garden will be too heavy for a container. Special mixes ensure that water and roots can move through the soil without compaction. Besides the plant itself, this is the most important ingredient for a successful crop.
Granular or slow-release fertilizer. Tomatoes are heavy feeders. This means they need lots of “food” or nutrients to produce. Even a high quality container soil will need extra fertilizer. We have had good results with both Dr. Earth and Good Earth fertilizers. By mixing this into your soil mix your plant will be able to access nutrition at all levels in the container.
Tomato cage or support. A young tomato plant won’t need a cage for a few weeks, but by putting the support in right away, you reduce the risk of damaging the root system. And if your plant really takes off quickly, it will also reduce the damage of to the above-ground portions as well.
Water. Have you ever noticed how juicy tomatoes are? That comes from consistent watering of the tomato plant itself. Moving a plant into a container or any new spot can be a shock. So extra attention to hydration is essential. If you use our mix then over-watering or water-logging the plant isn’t a problem. In any case, special attention to your watering will help ensure the plant doesn’t get stressed.
What supplies do I need to maximize my tomato growing?
Hot cap. This is a covering that you place over a plant to protect from cold temperatures. They are great for tomatoes in the spring because you can get the plant started earlier, providing a longer harvest in climates like ours. Before we knew about hot caps or could really afford them, we used plastic bags on toothpicks or skewers. They all worked well!
Fish and kelp emulsion. This liquid fertilizer is quickly available to plants, including tomatoes. We soak our transplants in a diluted form of this fertilizer while preparing the pot where it will be planted. We’ve heard it referred to like taking a snack on a hike, which we love. This extra boost helps support the plant through it’s first stages of new growth. Then about once every other week we will add a bit of emulsion to the watering in order to help increase the nutritional value of the tomatoes.
Gypsum. Tomatoes require a lot of calcium for good health, especially to prevent blossom end rot. Soil testing has shown that our mix in a little on the low side, as is nearly all soil in our region. So we mix this in for an added boost.
Mycorrhizal fungi. This powdered soil amendment is a combination of many beneficial soil bacteria. These microscopic organism for relationships with the plant roots that help them take up additional nutrients. It can be pricey and isn’t absolutely necessary, but we are going to the highest nutritional value possible in our food so we add it in.
Water spike and bottle. Maintaining even moisture in container plants can be challenging, especially when you work full time like we do. Unglazed terra cotta tubes, called water spikes or water nanny’s can help. We save our wine and whiskey bottles for just this purpose. The spike goes into the soil of the pot and the empty bottle is filled with water. Then it’s turned upside down and placed into the spike. Slowly the water will leave the bottle/spike combo and enter the soil. We still have to water the pots every 1 - 2 days but the water spikes helps ensure that no plant goes completely dry.
Companion plant seed. Just like some humans get along better, the same can be said of plants. Companion planting refers to planting species together that enhance one another. Many great volumes have been written on this subject. For our tomato plants this year, we are adding a ring of basil seed. This will not only help the tomato plant but increase the food production from our limited space.
How do I plant a tomato in a container?
Mix all the dry amendments for 1 pot together. If you aren’t sure how much of something to use, refer to the directions on the container.
Remove the plant from its pot and place in a bowl of water. If you are using fish and kelp emulsion, add a squirt to the bowl.
Put about 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil in the container. Sprinkle in about half of the dry amendments and mix.
Create a depression in the soil and place the plant into it. Then prune off any leaves or branches that would be buried by soil. This can’t be done with many plants. But tomatoes are unique. They will grow additional roots along the stem, which will increase the plant’s ability to take in nutrients.
Pat the soil around the root ball. Pour in the water from the bowl.
Add about 1/3 additional soil into the pot. Mix in the rest of the dry amendments.
Pour in the rest of the potting soil and press firmly.
If you are doing companion planting, now is the time to the add the seed.
Insert the tomato cage or support.
Add the water spike and full water bottle.
Water thoroughly.
Monitor for moisture.
Keep an eye on nighttime temperatures. Use the hot caps as needed.
