Container spacing

[tam91]

I have my containers out in the garden, as if they were in the ground (can't because of walnut trees). I grow all indeterminates, mostly heirlooms - they all grow big. My sun isn't totally ideal, and the plants tend to grow tall.

I have rows 3 feet apart, running north/south supported with Florida weave. I think the spacing between the rows is right for me - I can walk through easily and the plants get some air.

But, in my quest to fit more varieties into limited space, I was wondering if I could cut down the space between tomatoes in the row. I'm using 18-gallon rubbermaid type containers, and have been spacing the plants 3 feet.

Do you think I could put them closer? How much closer?

[dice]

I put 3 containers about that size end to end, with the plants
trained on a trellis, no space between containers. They get
a little tangled by end of summer, but not enough that I cannot
tell which plant a branch is from. It helps if the containers each
have plants with quite different looking fruit, so that I do not
have to follow a branch back to the main stem to be sure which
plant a particular fruit cluster is from.

[tam91]

Ah, that's quite a bit closer. Gives me hope that I can squeeze a few more in there next year.

[dice]

I think it depends on how they are trellised, caged, or staked.
I have about 6" mesh squares made out of 1/8" nylon rope above
the containers. It is fairly easy to tuck branches in as they grow
so that they fan out above the containers. Eventually branches
overlap, but not enough to block much sunlight or air movement
through them. If I get a handful that are too thick-stemmed to
bend back in without risk of breaking them that are growing out
away from the trellis, I just put a loop or two of string or
whatever from one side of the plant to the other on that side
of the trellis.

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Due to limited space my 20 inch containers are planted basically side by side see pic of my plants from last year the third pic in the original post should show spacing I have pruned lightly the last few years with no issues:
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ighlight=gobig

Craig

[tam91]

Wow Craig, those look great. Much closer than I've spaced mine, so I am encouraged. Thanks.

[greyghost]

Really beautiful plants, Craig. Great use of your space! Darlene

[fortyonenorth]

Craig - Really nice! Remy commented in your original post (from July) on how big and healthy your container tomatoes look. What are you adding in the way of nutrients? I'm surprised at what you're getting in the modest sized containers.

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Thanks all.

I just use miracle grow potting mix without moisture control (I can get about 2 and 1/3 Cubic feet of mix in the pots), sprinkle in a little osmocote for vegetables, add a couple Jobes tomato spikes, water with miracle grow for tomatoes ad plant out and maybe one more time a month later.

This year I did add dolomite lime for BER, I usually do not have a ton of BER and did not have much again this year so not sure if the lime helped or not.

Craig