Growing tomatoes in containers offer gardeners some flexibility in caring for these peculiar crops. Tomato is particular about air temperatures, especially night temperatures. In early spring, when day temperatures are pleasantly warm but night temperatures fall below 55 degrees F, many tomato varieties will not set fruit. Most of the early maturing varieties set fruit at lower temperatures than the main season varieties. In the hot summer months you can expect blossom drop when day temperatures are above 90 degrees F or night temperatures above 75 degrees F. If summer temperatures get too cool, move your tomato plants to the warmest spot in the garden can promote the ripening of the fruits. Before early fall rains put a premature end to the harvest, move the containers to a spot with overhead protection, or cover the entire plant and container with a large plastic bag. Poor fruit set when night temperatures are below 60 or above 75 degrees F. Tomato needs 3-4 months of temperatures in the 65 to 85 degrees F daytime range.
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Start your garden small. The number of “days to maturity” refers to the number of days from setting out the transplants to harvest the fruits. To get the maximum harvest results with this seasonal vegetable, you need about 6 tomato plants in a season. 1 early variety produces fruits in 50 days from the date planted to start the season. 2 midseason varieties take 60-80 days, in order for you to have enough fruits throughout planting time. 2 late -season takes about 100 days and are the tastiest varieties, and plant 1 tomato variety that you had never planted, just for good measure.
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Select seedlings. Choose seedlings that are deep green and compact, stocky but not leggy, and with no flowers and fruits to ensure a strong root system. Ask your local nurseries regarding the size of plants when they reach maturity and whether they will need staking or trellis. A cylinder of 6” mesh concrete reinforcing wire makes an ideal support by cut out cross wire at the bottom and push into the ground. Bend and crimp ends of wire with pliers to form a cylinder shape. The wire keeps the branches inside until they reach the top. Wrap clear plastic film around wire for early protection.
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Planting. Tomato requires eight hours of bright, hot, full sun per day, minimum. Plant your tomato seedlings-stem, leaves, and all until just the top set of leaves is above the soil line. This helps building a bigger root ball. Transplants should go into the soil with as little root disturbance as possible and planting them on a cloudy overcast day or in the very early morning or evening. Water your seedlings before removing them from their containers. Plant tomatoes in an organic planting mix of compost, peat moss, and ground bark with a good supply of nutrients especially phosphorus to promote roots forming.
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Tending your tomatoes. Tomatoes are not heavy feeders, so fertilize them sparingly with an organic product. Feed when you first plant then every four weeks. Be consistent with watering. Water generously until soil 8-10 inches deep is moist but not soggy. Preventing disease by remove diseased leaves, keep the area under each plant clear of fallen leaves, and keep your pruning shears cleaned with bleach before moving from plant to plant. As the plant grows, remove the small shoots that sprout between the main stem and the large branches by pinching them off with your fingers to allow the more productive branches to thrive resulting in larger and more fruits. Moisture on leaves overnight attracts disease. Avoid water your tomatoes in the evening.
The more you know about the growing habit of your tomatoes, the easier it is to care for them. Meet those basic requirements for growing good tomato and you will have successful harvest. |
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