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Intro
Gardening is a unique way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. Growing your plants from seedlings can be quite rewarding, as it helps you reconnect with what we're eating!
People of all ages can be out enjoying the garden. It's even more fun when we can grow our plants from seedlings. We miss out on so many different varieties by buying our produce from the grocery store. Nothing beats harvesting a cherry tomato from the vine and popping it in for a fresh burst of tomato juice filling your mouth. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others interested in growing their tomatoes or starting a tomato garden. If you'd like to learn about growing tomatoes in pots or want some advice on which type of tomato plant would be best for you, then this blog post will tell you everything you need to know!
Type of Tomatoes to Grow in Containers
The best type of tomato to grow in a container is a determinate type of tomato. There are determinate and indeterminate types of tomatoes. Determinate varieties grow to a certain height and stop growing. Indeterminate types continue to grow all season long. Indeterminate tomatoes can be a challenge to grow in containers, so if you're looking for a challenge, try to grow indeterminate tomatoes.
When growing either type of tomato in a container, I suggest fertilizing with an excellent organic fertilizer every two to three weeks. Add fertilizer to the top of the soil and rub it in a little.
Choosing The Pot
First, pick out a pot. A five-gallon pot will be best for a tomato plant. It's important to know what type of container you can use for a tomato pot. You'll need something with drainage holes in the bottom that will accommodate the height of your plants. If your pots don't have any holes, be sure to poke some! The best containers are those made out of plastic or clay. Terracotta pots are another option, but they tend to dry out too quickly, so you'll need water more often. They also crack when left out in the cold.
Starting Tomato Seeds
How to Germinate Tomato Seeds
Using soil blocks is an excellent way to start your seeds. Make your soil blocks, add them to a clear plastic container, and place them in a sunny location or under grow lights. Using a plastic container with a lid will create condensation so your seeds will stay moist and they will not need to be watered continually. Doing this will ensure that your seedlings will not be leggy when they germinate because they will have light soon after germination. When seedlings don't get the sunlight or grow light, they will grow tall and skinny. These will not be healthy or strong seedlings.
Using a heat mat will also help your seedlings to germinate. Tomato seeds germinate best in temperatures from 75 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preparing The Soil Mix
I prefer to make a soil mix myself, but you may also choose a good potting soil. I like Happy Frog Potting Soil. It's essential to make sure you use a potting mix if you buy soil. Buying potting soil will get expensive. Well-draining soil is vital for growing in pots. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and need well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter.
A good soil mixture is one part compost, one part coco coir, and one part perlite. I add six tablespoons of greensand, six tablespoons of bone meal, six tablespoons of blood meal, and three tablespoons of azomite to the mix. This is what I use for a five-gallon container.
Sunlight Requirements
If you're growing bigger tomatoes, you'll want to have more sun over seven hours, and for cherries and smaller tomatoes, at least six hours of sun.
Water Requirements
Water at least twice a week. If you start having problems with leaf curl or blossom end rot, try watering more often. These two problems can be caused by the plant not getting enough calcium. Plants take up calcium by watering.
Tomato Nutrition
Tomatoes are great to add to your diet. A single serving gives you an impressive amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as flavor!
Tomatoes have been shown to provide your body with the daily recommended dose of vitamin C and contain many other beneficial forms like lutein that promote eye health or lycopene, which is key in preventing cancer cells from forming on the skin.
When you're in need of a tasty, low-carb snack to satisfy your hunger pangs and boost your energy levels, try snacking on some fresh tomatoes. One cup (180g) has 7 grams total carbs, with 4.7 coming from naturally occurring sugars and 2.2 being fiber for those who are watching their carb intake because they have diabetes or want to lose weight the healthy way!
Reader, I thank you for choosing to read my content. Hopefully, you have found value in this post.
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