What is the smallest container I can grow tomatoes in? - Page 2

zackeysmom · January 27, 2015

Thanks Amideuthch. 3 gallon pots it will be.

zackeysmom · January 28, 2015

I've been misunderstood. By moving the pots I meant just from the potting table to the ground.

AKmark · January 28, 2015

I grew some brandywine plants last year in 4" containers for fun, got two - three tomatoes from each plant, and got 3lbs from a 1/2 gallon container. I got 39lbs out off of the mother plant in a 20 gallon container. The taste, texture, and cosmetics were the same across the board, only yield was affected, and of note, all plants were cuttings, so were the same plant.

zackeysmom · January 28, 2015

I'm just doing it as an experiment. We will have about 6 tomatoes in the ground. I just have so many tomato seeds I want to grow. Some are from 2008 and later. I keep them in the fridge. I'd hate to lose any of them.

Father'sDaughter · January 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by zackeysmom

I'm just doing it as an experiment. We will have about 6 tomatoes in the ground. I just have so many tomato seeds I want to grow. Some are from 2008 and later. I keep them in the fridge. I'd hate to lose any of them.

Have fun experimenting! I think some of us wrongly assumed that the containers were going to be your only plantings this year--or at least I did. If you main goal is to collect fresh seed, then lower yields from container plants is not as much of an issue.

zackeysmom · January 28, 2015

My main goal is to have some different tomatoes to eat. We have grown heirlooms 2 years in a row and had terrible luck with them in the ground. Maybe it gets too hot here for them? We also have had more rain than normal. Sticking to hybrids this year.

Worth1 · January 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by zackeysmom

My main goal is to have some different tomatoes to eat. We have grown heirlooms 2 years in a row and had terrible luck with them in the ground. Maybe it gets too hot here for them? We also have had more rain than normal. Sticking to hybrids this year.

Can you say what heirlooms you grew?
I find the ones that people rave over in the north and other places dont do so well for me in Central Texas.

Also heirloom and open pollinated aren't the same thing, they are both open pollinated but an open pollinated tomato doesn't have to be an heirloom.

But as you said with not a lot of room or space it is hard to give up something that is sure for something you aren't sure of.

Worth

zackeysmom · January 28, 2015

We grew Arkansas Traveler and Cherokee Purple.

Worth1 · January 28, 2015

I bet if you found space for a little black plum plant you would like it.
The two you mentioned can be hit and miss if the heat sets in too soon.
The blooms just fall off.
Black plum is a small tomato that I find good for salads.
From my experience the smaller the tomato the longer they set fruit.

Worth

zackeysmom · January 28, 2015

I have some Black Krim. I think that is an heirloom. We are only growing hybrids in the garden this year. I really only want to grow cherry tomatoes and maybe one hybrid in pots this year.

Ed of Somis · January 28, 2015

generally good advice here...keep in mind that a 5 gal nursery pot is smaller than a 5 gal bucket. I get the fact we are all getting older...we need to work smarter now. Find a way to plant in the largest possible (within reason)...and your time/efforts we be well spent. As stated above...a quality potting mix is very important! goodluck

Labradors2 · January 28, 2015

Thanks for posting that Ed. I was wondering because those store buckets seem to be so big! Hoping to find some 5 gal containers in which to successfully grow some dwarfs this year!

Linda

AlittleSalt · January 28, 2015

Linda, I saw some plastic pots at Walmart today that could easily hold 5 gallons of dirt. I didn't look for a price though.

luigiwu · January 28, 2015

Can you bring the potting mix (in batches) to the pot instead of trying to move a filled pot?
Also the 50cent walmart reuseable shopping bags are a great grow bag that should last one season. Look up the Larry Hall Kiddie pool idea. He uses these walmart shopping bags to grow corn even.

zackeysmom · January 29, 2015

I've tried planting in a pot on the ground, but it hurts to bend over. I used to be able to use a small stool, but then I can't get up. It's all good info, but with a bad shoulder and back I'll work with what I have.

January 28, 2015	#17
zackeysmom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 22	Bad wording? I've been misunderstood. By moving the pots I meant just from the potting table to the ground.

January 28, 2015	#29
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	Can you bring the potting mix (in batches) to the pot instead of trying to move a filled pot? Also the 50cent walmart reuseable shopping bags are a great grow bag that should last one season. Look up the Larry Hall Kiddie pool idea. He uses these walmart shopping bags to grow corn even. __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7!

January 27, 2015	#16
zackeysmom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 22	Thanks Amideuthch. 3 gallon pots it will be.

January 28, 2015	#18
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	I grew some brandywine plants last year in 4" containers for fun, got two - three tomatoes from each plant, and got 3lbs from a 1/2 gallon container. I got 39lbs out off of the mother plant in a 20 gallon container. The taste, texture, and cosmetics were the same across the board, only yield was affected, and of note, all plants were cuttings, so were the same plant.

January 28, 2015	#24
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I bet if you found space for a little black plum plant you would like it. The two you mentioned can be hit and miss if the heat sets in too soon. The blooms just fall off. Black plum is a small tomato that I find good for salads. From my experience the smaller the tomato the longer they set fruit. Worth

January 28, 2015	#26
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	generally good advice here...keep in mind that a 5 gal nursery pot is smaller than a 5 gal bucket. I get the fact we are all getting older...we need to work smarter now. Find a way to plant in the largest possible (within reason)...and your time/efforts we be well spent. As stated above...a quality potting mix is very important! goodluck

January 28, 2015	#27
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,898	Thanks for posting that Ed. I was wondering because those store buckets seem to be so big! Hoping to find some 5 gal containers in which to successfully grow some dwarfs this year! Linda

January 28, 2015	#28
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Linda, I saw some plastic pots at Walmart today that could easily hold 5 gallons of dirt. I didn't look for a price though.

January 29, 2015	#30
zackeysmom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 22	I've tried planting in a pot on the ground, but it hurts to bend over. I used to be able to use a small stool, but then I can't get up. It's all good info, but with a bad shoulder and back I'll work with what I have.