Please help me choose new containers

[seeker]

Hi,

A year or so ago, my husband and I decided (with great sadness) that our tomato-growing days were over. Physical problems prevented us from being able to keep the plants properly sprayed and maintained, and we were going to a lot of trouble and expense only to have the plants die early from various foliage diseases, sometimes before we were able to get a single ripe tomato from the plant. Imagine how thrilled I was when the first new dwarf releases were announced, and growing tomatoes once again became a possibility! These smaller plants may be within our abilities to take care of, and we're excited to try the new varieties. (BTW, a huge "Thank you" to all who have worked on that project.) We are now trying to decide what kind of containers to buy. We had been growing in home-made self-watering containers, but the ones we had disintegrated from old age. We really can't make them any more and, anyway, want to use smaller, more manageable containers. So, I'm looking for input/opinions/personal experiences with the different things that are available. We like the earthboxes, but they are so expensive! Are they worth the price? Do grow bags work well? Can you put a cage in them? Do they fall over in the wind? I'd really appreciate any information you can share. And I wish everyone a very Happy New Year.

Paula

[amideutch]

Paula, here is a link to a company that sells all kinds of containers to give you a feel as to what is available. They have Smart Pots and equivalents at half the price plus other types. I would say anything in the 5-10 gal range would suffice especially if wind is a consideration. I used the 10 gal smart pots on Brandywines with excellent results. The dwarfs I grew were in 2-3 gal plastic containers as a test and they were fine.
One word of caution, even though you support the main stem you will have to support the fruit trusses as they will load up with fruit and if not supported will break from the weight.

http://www.atlantishydroponics.com/N...-planters.aspx

[simmran1]

Paula,

My first year using 2 different brands of Grow Bags resulted in a ‘you get what you pay for.’ The one type was a plasticized 7 gal. with drain holes about 6” from the bottom on the sides. From a supplier to mainly greenhouse growers. The other was actual ‘Tomato Grow Bags’ from Gardeners Supply Co.

The real deal from Gardeners Supply are superior, though a bit pricey with shipping.
The GSC one’s drain well from too much rain, and easy to water with a can or hose nozzle when it’s dry. These are ideal for growing the dwarfs you’re interested in.

Yes, I used the square cages from Tomato Growers Supply in all 6 grow bags. (Gardeners Supply Co. has the same cages). I grew a moderate size cherry, and the rest were compact indeterminates. None of them fell over and we had some very gusty days in August.

There are no handles with either brand that I had, though I have seen some with sewn on handles you may find easier. Though once filled, they’re too heavy to pick up you may want to slide or scoot, and the handles would be beneficial.
Hoping you have a great year, -Randy

[bustani.mama]

Personally I've only ever used clay and lightweight pots (that haven't looked too good after a year or 2) I have growntomatoes peppers and the like in them for many years withought any issues (well aphids one year and that's it! And lol no borage means no aphids they were only on the borage and the tomatoes)

I have never had a fungal issue or that and I've been doing container gardening for like 10 years in zone 5 but 2 years or so ago my uncle did get issues in one of his pots that I think should be fine to use this year

I do leave my pots outside in the winter I had 1 causality to an accidental bump while mowing and another while moving a LARGE pot both were clay and did fracture I have also had the colour on my teacup planters handle come off from the freezing weather (from wallmart) which after the teapot was fine I would imagine that one would be as well

If you need tips/tricks ask lol ill do my best but I don't know everything


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[seeker]

Thank you all for your input. It was all very helpful. Ami, thank you for that link. That should keep me busy for days. (I am really, really bad at making decisions.) --- Paula

[casserole]

Cant beat a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot (<$3 each)Drill your own holes in the bottom, Or use one to make your own Topsy Turvy for cheap.

[ddsack]

If you have cats, you can recycle the large litter pails for dwarf tomatoes. I drill holes in the bottom and spray paint the advertising with black and green swirls for a mottled effect. They tend to crumble after a year or two in the sun, but they're free.

[POAJoan]

We made self watering containers from 5 gallon buckets and had great success with peppers and tomatoes.
We took two buckets, drilled holes in the bottom of one, cut a hole in the middle for the wick, some drain pipe already drilled and used drain pipe stocking to cover it, then used landscape cloth doubled, and then when assembled drilled a hole in the outside bucket 1 inch below inside bucket. We used Raybos general design. We also made 7 30 gallon and six 18 gallon SWC that we built according to his plans and had bumper crops of peppers and tomatoes. Except for a few Home Depot buckets they were all free. Good luck Joan