Tomatoes in Containers

When staking a tomato plant, tie the stem loosely to the trellis using a figure-eight pattern. To keep tomato plants under control in a container, twist off side shoots when they're about an inch long.

No room at all to garden? Not to worry. You can have a beautiful vegetable garden in pots. Here's how to culture a tomato in a container:

Place a transplant in a plastic 15-inch-diameter container. You can use any kind of container--from a brand-new faux terra-cotta pot to a large plastic bucket. Just make sure that the container has drainage holes in the bottom.
As the plant grows, it becomes top heavy. Use a wooden pot trellis, a stake or a tomato cage to keep it upright.
Container tomatoes tend to grow bushy and unruly. Prune the side shoots regularly to produce a single stem that's easier to support.
When the stem is about a foot tall, begin attaching it to the support. Thin strips of fabric make great ties.
Potted tomatoes need to be watered more frequently to keep from drying out. The best time to water is early in the day. To help the plants get off to a good start, apply a water-soluble starter fertilizer at the recommended rate.

Also in this Episode

Seasoned Gardener : Episode SGN-109
•	A Small Salad Garden
•	Salsa Container Garden
•	Square-Foot Gardening
•	Tomatoes in Containers

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