Tomato containers

Latest post from MARKSVEGPLOT – a blog about food and gardening in England”

At this time of year I usually do a bit of “stock-taking” in my garage, where I keep all my gardening kit. One of the things I have done this week is review what containers I have for growing potatoes and tomatoes. The result of this exercise is Classified information, but suffice it to say that I now have “lots”…

Tomatoes and potatoes need large containers. Small ones dry out too rapidly which makes for erratic growth – as well as encouraging Blossom End Rot in the tomatoes, so over the years I have accumulated a number of containers which I consider perfect for the task. Although they are maybe not quite as attractive as terracotta pots, plastic ones are more practical, since they are less prone to damage and retain moisture better. Until recently I would have said that these are perfect tomato pots:

However, last year I discovered some pots that are even better.

These ones are big (40cm square) plastic pots, with a water reservoir in the base, which can be refilled via a vertical tube that sticks up above the compost level. I described how I use these pots in a blogpost about this time last year, so if you’re interested, follow this link: Tomato pots

Last year my Mother-in-law gave me three of those for my birthday. I was so impressed with them that this year I asked her for the same again! I now have 6 identical pots. These will be the ones I use for my main crop, which will probably be three plants each of “Ferline” and “Orkado”.

My other tomato plants will go into slightly less good pots, and they will not have the benefit of those really useful cane-support devices. I have searched everywhere for them, but they don’t seem to be available any more. There are various other similar devices to be had, and I have tried a couple, but in my opinion none of them are as good. They were originally designed for supporting canes used with Growbags.

I haven’t finally decided how many tomatoes to grow this year, nor which varieties they will be. I have seeds for about 20 varieties, but I think I’ll try to restrict myself to about six or eight. Apart from the two named above, I will probably have “Sungold”, “Maskotka”, “Cherokee Purple”, “Zapotec Pleated”, “Tigerella” and “San Marzano” – but then I may change my mind again!

One of the containers I use will be the new Woodblocx raised bed. I think it will play host to several of the “Maskotka” plants (amongst other things). Should be big enough, don’t you think?

If you would like to read more about my tomato-growing efforts in previous years, try these links:
2010, 2011 and 2012 - or just put “tomato” into the Search widget on my sidebar.

To read more articles like this, on Gardening and Gastronomy, please visit * http://marksvegplot.blogspot.com/ *