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| Bigger is better, this I know (!), but what is the smallest container I can plant my tomatoes and still get good results? I have a 14 inch ceramic pot and several 16 inch plastic pots (from home depot).
I have 2 mystery tomatoes (one was big, beefsteak like, one was med. round), 1 "patio" tomato, Better Boys and a Mr. Stripey. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Linked some previous discussions on container size below. I think you'll find that 5 gallons is the smallest recommend. Personally I won't use any that small so I wouldn't use any of the sizes you have listed. I much prefer and have much better results with a minimum of 10 gallon size, especially since most of your varieties listed are indeterminate type plants (Patio is the exception). Maintaining proper soil moisture levels and nutrient levels in a container are challenging enough without adding a small container size to the mix. ;) JMO Dave |
Here is a link that might be useful: Container size discussions
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| Thanks, Dave. That's very helpful, 10 gal. I'm going to put myself out there and say that when it comes to measurements, I don't have a clue. How many gallons are the sizes I listed? Smaller than 5? They seemed big to me! :) Maybe I'll use them for my herbs, or other veggies?? |
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| Most pots are marked, often on the bottom, how many quarts of potting soil they hold. It depends on the shape and depth to a large degree but an average height, 20" diameter pot holds approx. 5-6 gallons of mix. 5 gallon plastic buckets with holes in the bottom are used by some growers using a drip irrigation and feeding system. Also search 'Earthtainer" here for lots of photos on how to make your own self-watering containers for tomatoes. Dave |
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| Got it! Thank you Soo much! I've seen pictures of Earth boxes and buckets w/ the self watering systems and they are very cool. I might just try to make one. :) |
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- Posted by californian 10 (My Page) on Wed, Apr 21, 10 at 21:04
| I just measured a 5 gallon bucket and it is 11 1/4 inches diameter by 14 3/4 inches high. You say you have 14 inch and 16 inch pots, but is that the diameter or height? They may be more than 5 gallons, so you may not need to buy anything else. Beware that the nursery industry lies and a typical 5 gallon nursery pot holds much less than 5 gallons, as you can easily prove to yourself as it will fit easily inside a 5 gallon paint bucket. |
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| Beware that the nursery industry lies... Uhhh, gee thanks. :( But, "lies", no. That is an unfair statement. Dry gallons and liquid gallons aren't the same amount. 1 gallon, dry = 1.1636 gallons, liquid So what you are seeing in the nursery industry is a liquid gallon label since that is the U.S. Customary usage but which actually hold the equivalent dry gallon measurement of a dry material like potting soil. A 5 gallon nursery pot will hold 5 gallons of water (if you plug up the drain holes) it just won't hold 5 gallons of potting soil. A 5 gallon paint bucket (liquid) = 4.3 dry gallons. Or approx. 4 dry gallons of soil if not filled to the rim. Dave |
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| If you grow indeterminate plants in a 5 gal bucket, one problem is that when they start getting tall a strong gust of wind can easily tip them over. I'd use something with a wider bottom for stability and more room for root growth. |
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- Posted by star_stuff Greensboro NC 7 (My Page) on Wed, Apr 21, 10 at 22:47
| Here are some standard nursery size containers. Notice the soda can at lower right for reference.
The dimensions are: Width x Height |
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| Not sure about the other varieties. The Patio should be fine. My Mr. Stripey tomato is trying to take over my garden!! He's gigantic!! |
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- Posted by VallyOfTheWind (My Page) on Thu, May 2, 13 at 16:08
| http://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/1620-how-to-make-an-upside-down-tomato-planter Companion Planting basil, carrots, and borage in the top can help with pests |
Here is a link that might be useful: curbly
This post was edited by VallyOfTheWind on Thu, May 2, 13 at 16:12
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- Posted by Donna.in.Sask 2b (My Page) on Thu, May 2, 13 at 17:33
| ^Those upside down planters are gimmicky; I don't think any serious tomato grower would use one. I've always had better success growing tomatoes in-ground. My container planted ones DO produce, but not nearly as prolifically. |
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| It is definitely more attractive than the Topsy Turvey things and it likely holds more potting mix than they do too. Since Chello is a determinate variety it might do okay for awhile until it gets root bound. Good luck with it. Dave |
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| Since I first posted this question in 2010 I have moved to a house with a big huge garden with plenty of space for veggies. No topsy turveys for me. :) |
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| I have a couple big gardens myself and still enjoy growing some in pots. Indeterminate's...25gal. nursery pots work well for me, you can use smaller but need to feed and water more. I like some time to myself. lol |
This post was edited by pasco on Thu, May 2, 13 at 20:05
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| I had BAD experiences with those 5 gl. buckets from Home Depot: short, thin plants, no fruits. Maybe I over-watered, maybe I made too few holes at the bottom of the bucket, maybe the soil was not fluffy enough, maybe… Anyway, I’m not going to use those buckets anymore. I had EXCELLENT results with BIG plastic boxes like this one - the bigger, the better. Probably because they are bigger… So, everything will go in the ground, where ALWAYS everything was fine. |
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