Best Ways to Plant Tomatoes in Buckets and Grow Bags

Make the most of limited garden space by growing tomatoes in buckets and grow bags. Planting tomatoes in these easily accessible containers provides an inexpensive alternative to traditional backyard gardening. Container gardening tends to level the playing field in the game of home gardening, allowing even gardeners with less garden area the opportunity to produce high yielding plants. Buckets and grow bags provide convenient mobility, can be kept on a deck or patio for easy care, picking, and monitoring.

Both methods provide environments that will produce robust tomato plants with delectable fruits if properly planted and cared for. While the concept of using buckets and grow bags are relatively the same, there are some vital differences worth exploring. We will take you through the best ways to plant tomatoes in buckets and grow bags along with some tips for developing a successful crop in each of these useful containers.

Helpful Tips for Planting Tomatoes in Containers

Before we start, here are some useful tips to keep in mind when growing tomato plants in buckets and grow bags.

• Choose determinate varieties of tomatoes when planting in buckets and grow bags.
• Ensure successful tomato plants by using a container that is big enough-the bigger the better.
• Add a little pre-plant application of a dry blend granular organic fertilizer in the planting hole before you place your plant.
• Plant tomato plants deeply in the soil so that roots will grow from underground stems, resulting in more vigorous healthy plants.
• Plant tomatoes in full sun.
• Water regularly, using care not to overwater or underwater, which can both lead to the demise of your tomato plant.
• Consider placing a tray of water underneath your bucket or grow bag to promote self-watering from the roots up.
• Use organic fertilizer to feed your tomato plants when they are potted. Tomatoes are heavy feeders of nitrogen and require this nutrient to grow into hardy producers. Make sure to mix or “scratch”  the granular fertilizer into the soil to it doesn’t get washed away when you water. Supplement your granular organic fertilizer with a liquid organic fertilizer every 2-3 weeks with your regular watering routine for quick release nutrients.
• Add a small amount of Epsom salt to your tomato plant container. This will supply magnesium to the plant, lessening the likelihood of blossom rot on your fruit.

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Best Way to Plant Tomatoes in Buckets

Growing tomatoes in buckets and pots is a terrific way for anyone to enjoy way fresh tomatoes off the vine. One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make when growing tomatoes in containers is planting them in too small of a pot. Tomatoes are heavy feeders with a well-developed root system, and keeping them confined in too small of a pot will stunt their growth and diminish their yield. Follow these steps for the best results.

Supplies:

• 5 Gallon Bucket or pot
• Organic Potting Mix
• Organic Fertilizer
• 1 Tbsp Epsom Salt
• Water
• Determinate Tomato Seeds or Plants
  Mulch (optional)

Steps for Successful Planting

1. Find an area in the yard or on the patio that receives plenty of sunlight for tomatoes to grow successfully.
2. Make certain that there are drainage holes in the bottom of the bucket before planting. This is essential so that your plant does not drown.
3. Fill the container half-full of potting mix.
4. Place the plant into the bucket. You can plant tomato plants a little deeper in the soil that other plants because the stems will sprout roots creating a more robust plant. If sowing seeds directly, do so when the pot is ¾ of the way full, sow seeds, and lightly cover with one inch of soil.
5. Add water when the bag is approximately half-way full.
6. Add more potting mix around the tomato plant.
7. Sprinkle organic fertilizer and Epsom salt around the base of the plant. This will supply the tomato plant with essential nutrients like nitrogen and magnesium for healthy growth and protection from a disease like blossom-rot.
8. Continue to build up the soil until the bucket is full.
9. If desired, you can add some light mulching to finish off the pot and protect the soil.

Water Requirements

It is essential to water tomato plants that are planted in buckets until water runs freely from the bottom. Water in the morning and recheck the soil moisture levels in the afternoon. If soil feels dry about one inch below the surface, it’s time to water again. Add mulch to tomato plants to help with moisture retention.

Best Way to Plant Tomatoes in Grow Bags

Growing tomatoes in fabric grow bags is an excellent option when it comes to container gardening. It acts like a bucket in many of the essential ways but has additional attributes. As we now know, tomatoes have strong root systems that grow vigorously. The texture of the fabric grow bag allows the roots to prune themselves when they hit the edge of the bag. The benefit of this self-pruning is that instead of encircling the shape of the container over and over again, the roots offshoot into new fibrous hairs continually. This process makes the root system in tomatoes planted in fabric grow bags healthier and more robust.

Supplies:

• Fabric Grow Bag
• Organic Potting Mix
• Organic Fertilizer
• 1 Tbsp Epsom Salt
• Water
• Determinate Tomato Seeds or Plants
• Mulch (optional)

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