Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Containers

When Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Containers you can either grow your seedlings from seed or purchase small cherry tomato plants from a nursery or local home improvement store. Whichever way you choose, 3 to 4 plants should provide enough tomatoes for a family of three.

These plants are attractive enough that even if you didn't get the delectable fruit, you might want them as accent foliage for your patio. There is the distinctive tomato leaf smell that comes from the plants. Some people love it and others find it too strong for their liking. You can plan the location for growing cherry tomatoes in containers according to how you feel about the scent from the leaves.

When to Grow the Cherry Tomatoes

You'll need to purchase your plants after the last possibility of frost. The nice part of growing plants in containers is that if you don't guess the time correctly, you can always bring the plants inside for a short period until the weather stabilizes. It's quite easy to do in the early stages of the cherry tomato.

Ready for Planting Outside

When growing Cherry Tomatoes in Containers you will need to poke holes in 5-gallon containers. If you know any one in the construction industry, many of them have these containers left over from drywall compound. Otherwise, check at a home improvement store. These are quite inexpensive. You can go glamorous if you want to have a decorative touch to your patio garden. No matter which way you decide, make sure they have adequate drainage. You will need holes in the bottom of the containers with a layer of stone and then the potting soil.

Watering cherry tomatoes

Keep the plants watered but avoid over watering. You need to keep the soil moist but not wet. If your area has flooring that needs protection, make sure that you have a plate or basin to catch run off water from the container.

Pests

The biggest problem with growing cherry tomatoes in Containers or container gardens is often simply aphids from other indoor plants. Most of these plants are not prone to the normal plant diseases if you use adequately sterilized soil in the container. If you notice aphids, a heavy spray of water knocks them off. You also can make a solution of water and a drop or two of soap and spray the plant.

Growing Cherry Tomatoes Tips

Just because you have the cherry tomatoes in containers, it doesnot mean you can not use some tricks that vegetable gardeners use. Give the plants a sip of coffee. If you have coffee grounds left over, they can go into the pot.

Plants love the little burst of nutrients the grounds provides. Other kitchen ready helpers are eggshells. Rinse the shells and allow them to dry. Crush them and put them onto the soil. These shells provide extra calcium to the soil and like the coffee grounds, keep slugs out of the tomato plants. A small amount of Epsom salt sprinkled around the container soil also gives the plant a boost.

Staking the plant

Once the plants have a good start, you will notice that they are getting tall. If you have hanging plants, some people simply allow the branches of the plants to hang and bear the fruit. If you have plants on the ground, you will need to stake your cherry tomatoes. Simply use a narrow dowel pushed into the soil and tie the plant loosely to the dowel. This gives just enough extra support to your tomatoes.

One Last Look at Cherry Tomatoes in Containers

While most container gardens donot normally get the same diseases found in larger gardens, you still might find a bug or two that settles into your cherry tomato plants. If you see leaves wilting, check the foliage thoroughly for tomato horned worms. You simply need to pick the caterpillars off the plant and dispose of them. They're easy to remove if you're not squeamish about bugs.

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