Photo Credit: GAP Photos/Nicola Stocken
Tomato varieties suitable for hanging baskets; Sweet Bite, Yellow Pear, Yellow Cherry, Cherry Roma, Cherry Truss, Grape.
Growing tomatoes in pots and even hanging baskets is a great way to control their sunlight and position requirements, while adding a degree of functionality to gardens and outdoor spaces restricted in size. Tomatoes need a sunny site and good drainage. As their roots are restricted in their growing space, plant in soil enriched with plenty of nutrients to maximise growth. For potted tomatoes and tomatoes in hanging baskets, use Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix to pot up. This mix, boosted with instant and controlled release fertilisers, will feed plants for up to 9 months, and importantly contains re-wetting granules to reduce the risk of soil dry out, which many pot plants are susceptible to. Use smaller varieties of tomatoes that will grow more compact and don’t require as much nutrient and water. Tomato varieties named ‘Bush tomatoes’ and ‘dwarf tomatoes’ are ideal varieties to plant. These are readily available and require less space to grow and fruit. To plant in hanging baskets, use a basket no less than 40-45cm in diametre. The smaller the basket the quicker the soil drys out and the nutrients are used. Tomatoes planted in baskets require page 12 | About the garden magazine
more attention and regular watering, but when you meet their requirements, are a worth while feature plant, worthy of garden club talk.
/tomatoes in pots
For tomatoes in pots, again use larger pots rather than smaller ones. Plastic pots are fine to use, but can easily capture alot of heat during the hotter summer months. Monitor the soil temperate and move pots to a shadier place until the hot weather has past. Self-watering pots are a great way to regularly water plants when you forget. If using terracotta pots, seal the inside of the pot with terracotta pot sealant to reduce the loss of water through the pot walls. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, though using the right fertiliser regularly will promote better health, pest resistance of the plant and increase fruit yields. For tasty, long-lasting fruit and resistance to pests and disease, apply SeaMax Fish & Kelp (for a liquid organic option) or Searles Flourish Vege & Tomato Fertiliser fortnightly. A regular watering regime tailored to your plant variety and pot/basket size is paramount. The smaller the pot/basket the quicker the soil will dry out. Hanging baskets are more exposed to air flow, drying out the mix quicker.
