When Growing Tomatoes, Reach for the Sky!
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
Almost all information about growing tomatoes in containers tells you to grow "patio" tomatoes. Well, I grew some to check out the conventional wisdom, and I hate them. They taste and look like the tomatoes you can buy in the store in the middle of January, and what fun is that???? I grew several 'patio,' tomatoes in different types of containers - a small flower pot, a plastic trug, a reusable grocery bag, a straw bale and a grow box. All of the tomato plants thrived and produced tomatoes - but all of them were mealy and were a total tomato DRAG! What a waste of water, growing space and energy.
I also grew Sun Golds, Reisenstraub, Stupice, Super Sweet 100s and Sweet Millions, as well as red currant - all were delicious and successful - also grown in same containers as above (minus the small flower pot).
So here's my advice. Grow your favorite tomatoes, no matter how big and sprawling. As long as they have sun, water, food and a big enough container, they will thrive.
And for those of you down south, who are just planting your tomatoes, if you want to know more about upside down tomatoes.....
The Upsides and Downsides of Upside Down Tomatoes
DIY Upside Down Tomato Planter
Comments
wrt patio tomatoes, I agree they don’t rival the taste, size and appearance of the regular garden type tomatoes. However we would be well advised to plant determinant tomato plants vs the indeterminant variety. Determinant, sometimes referred to as “bush” tomatoes, grow to a certain height and direct the growth toward the tomatoes themselves whereas indeterminant tomatoes continue growing vertically with lots of foliage and fewer, smaller tomatoes.
Hey Fred – Thanks for your comment. I disagree a bit though…I love my indeterminate tomatoes. They get huge and sprawly, but the produce beautifully and I LOVE the taste of many of them. If you are willing to deal with huge and unruly tomatoes, I wouldn’t rule them out.
I totally disagree on the notiont that the patio or bush tomatoes are not as tasty. We have had great success with them for a number of years. We grow them in large tubs that water from the bottom of the container. Yes, the tomatoes are only small to average in size, but so sweet and juicy. We have been growing them for 5-6 years.
Hey Joyce – Thanks for your opinion. Do you know the specifics of what you grew? I would absolutely try them again, if I knew a variety that was great.
Bush Early Girl and Bush Champion do well and taste great, up here in New England on my 6+ hour sunny back porch. I’m basically forced into Patio Tomatoes.
Hey Mark – Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like I need to give these tomatoes a try.
Dont blame plants for the results of your caretaking.
There is a reason they are loved by many, and it isnt just hype
CritiCal – I would welcome hearing about your experience with patio tomatoes and am open to disagreements with my opinions. Everyone has their tomato favorites and I would love to hear about yours and what works for you.