9 Tips for growing tomatoes in containers

Plant a patio or bush tomato variety.

Patio or bush kinds of tomatoes are little plants that thrive and bear well in containers. Never let a plant's size deceive you even a tiny tomato plant can yield an abundance of fruit.

Choose a BIG pot.

The roots of tomatoes are broad and extensive. The more space the roots of your plant have to spread out, the larger the container.

Drainage is key.

Plants made of plastic, clay, stone, or even metal can produce tomatoes, but a pot without drainage holes is useless.

Use potting mix.

For a tomato growing in a container, normal soil dug up from your garden will not drain quickly enough in a pot.

Provide nutrients.

Nutrients drive the rapid growth of tomato plants. Adding a slow-release fertilizer to the potting mix before planting is one of the simplest ways to give your tomato plants in pots the nutrition they need.

Give tomato plants plenty of sunlight.

For the optimal development and fruiting, tomatoes require at least 8 hours of sunlight per day to reach their leaves.

Water tomato plants in pots daily.

Tomatoes need to be watered at least once a day because they are thirsty plants, especially as they get bigger. The ideal time to water is in the morning.

Keep leaves dry.

Soil and water splashing onto leaves can transmit a number of common tomato leaf diseases.

Give plants space.

Because moving air dries damp leaves fast and prevents some diseases from taking hold, good air circulation helps avoid disease.