GARDENINGAUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2019 83
IN THE PATCH
TOMATOES
With a little know-how, you can grow a good
crop of tomatoes in a pot, which is welcome
news if you are a balcony gardener wanting
to experience the full, rounded flavour of
home-grown tomatoes. It’s also a good option
if you’ve had persistent soil-related problems,
such as nematodes and wilt, because it allows
you to grow your tomato plants in fresh potting
mix that hasn’t been infected.
Compact bush varieties tend to be best for
containers. Look out for names such as Patio,
Green Grape, Tiny Tim, Cherry Falls and Thai
Pink Egg. Vine tomatoes can be grown, but
their stems can extend 2m or more, so you
need plenty of support for training. A balcony
railing would work, or put a couple of long
timber stakes into the pot before planting.
Tomato roots need plenty of space, so use
a large, wide pot – at least 40cm in diameter
for compact types, and wider for vine varieties.
Plants also need plenty of water, particularly
when it gets hot. Self-watering pots are a great
option because they provide moisture for longer
periods between watering. Otherwise, allow
drainage water to fill the saucer when watering
on hot days. This is normally a no-no, but the
plants will quickly draw up the extra moisture
when it’s hot without risk of root rot.
It’s best to move a big pot into position before
filling it. Choose a spot with 5–6 hours of full
sun per day, with some protection from drying
winds. Fill with a good quality potting mix and
add a complete slow-release fertiliser. Tomatoes
are big feeders, so follow up with an application
of liquid fertiliser every 10 days or so.
Tomato seeds germinate readily. Start them
in small pots of seed-raising mix in a warm
spot (on a sunny windowsill indoors, if it’s still
cold at your place). Or plant two or three seeds
directly in your pot, then thin out to one. If you
only need one or two plants, buy established
potted tomatoes to get you started. You shouldPHOTOSbe able to find these easily now in most areas.
ISTOCK, GAP PHOTOS/JULIETTE WADE
CROPS
POTS
IN