The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
Growing tomatoesin containers is almost always an adventure.
It can be incredibly rewarding or flat-out disastrous.
Sometimes epic failures can happen for reasons beyond your control liketomato blightor a ridiculously wet or cold summer.
The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
However, a container that is too big can lead to overwatering.
Too Much Water
Watering your tomato plants properly is the key to tomato success.
Before you water, check soil moisture first.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Add water if the soil feels dry to the touch at your fingertip.
Another method to check moisture is to pick up the pot.
Pot feet are also a good idea if the pot is located on a patio or non-porous surface.
The Spruce / K. Dave
You may want to try the Earthbox or the GrowBox brands.
By midseason, a large tomato plant might need watering at least once a day and sometimes twice.
Many people chronically overestimate how much sun an area receives.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Determine actual sun exposure, either with a watch or a sunlight meter, before you position your pots.
Too Chilly
Along with lots of sunlight, tomatoes like warm temperatures.
Tomatoes are not frost-tolerant.
If going this route, don’t forget toharden offyour seedlings.
With enough support, tomato plants can grow bigger, stronger, and push out many more fruits.
Tomatoes should stay in consistently moist soil, but the soil should not get soggy.
A good idea is to plan to water every day but to do a visual check first.
You will likely have to water more often during the longest and hottest days of the year.
Yes, you could grow most varieties of tomatoes in containers, and cherry tomatoes are no exception.
Tomatoes require full sun to grow properly, which means at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
Container Grown Tomatoes.Penn State University Extension
