and Looking After Them....
Smaller tomatoes varieties and those with
shallow root systems can be grown in
hanging baskets.
Some examples of appropriate heirloom
tomatoes are Baxter's Early Bush Cherry
and Whippersnapper. Hybrids include
Floragold Basket, Florida Basket, Micro
Tom and Tumbling Tom.
A 30 to 35 cm diameter wire basket is the
best choice, but any deep hanging basket
will work. Line the basket with peat moss
or coir fibre and fill it with a quality potting
mix developed for tomatoes. Plant one
seedling per basket.
At the end of the season, the liner and soil
should be discarded as it they can hold
diseases.
A recent trend has developed for growing
tomatoes upside down. This is essentially a
hanging pot with a large hole in the bottom, through which the tomato plant grows.
Many people have found that they really
enjoy this method. It is good for those with
limited space, and doesn't require as much
labour. There is no worry about soil-borne
diseases and pests, which is true of all
container gardening.
There are disadvantages as well. The
planter can be quite heavy, especially once
the plant has grown large, so the hardware
to support it wherever it is hanging must be
strong.
If it is hanging from an overhang that can
significantly reduce the amount of full sun
that the growing plant is able to get when it
is smaller. Even the planter itself will cast
shade over the tomato. As with upright
hanging baskets only the smaller varietals
are appropriate for growing upside down.
Upside down tomato pots and whole kits
can be purchased, or you can make your
own pot fairly easily.
When it comes to tomato plant growing, planting them in the right location is potentially the most important factor
in determining your ultimate success.
These heat loving plants grow best with at least six hours of full sun daily. You will get higher yields and your plants will be more resistant to disease with the more sun they get. It is worth your time to actually time how long an area gets sun to be sure you don't end up cheating your tomatoes of light.
Watering and soil nutrients you can adjust, but - unless you are growing indoors with a grow light - you cannot control the amount of light that your tomatoes get, except
by selecting the sunniest spot to plant them. This may also influence your decision whether or not to grow in
containers.
Your location possibilities may constrain you when it comes to the number of plants and types of tomatoes that you will be able to grow. When planning your tomato
garden, look at your potential locations first.
Because tomatoes tend to be susceptible to soil borne diseases, especially fungal ones, there is a conventional
wisdom that they should be planted in a different area each year, rotating through a three year cycle. Obviously, this is not always possible, but it should enter into your thoughts as you are planning your garden.
Another consideration is that you will want to choose a spot to grow tomato plants that makes it easy and
convenient to water. Many gardeners use a drip system or a soaker hose for irrigation.
If you are going to be watering by hand, make sure that you have plenty of room to
lay down an even amount of
water around
each tomato
plant.