How To Grow Tomatoes In A Small Space

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All tomatoes are different. Depending on the variety you wish to grow, they may require more or less room than others. They may also require something to grow up against, such as a tomato cage, to protect it against wind and harsh rain.

Tomatoes are usually divided into two categories. Determine and indeterminate ones. The indeterminate ones tend to grow tall and large, some may near two meters if the conditions are good enough, and you need to factor that in before you decide which variety you want to grow. It is also recommended to remove suckers – the side shoots – from indeterminate tomato plants, in order to increase the yield. Determinate ones, however, do not require pruning and they rarely grow as large as the indeterminate ones.

No matter the variety, your tomato plants will want a compost rich soil and they will want fertiliser on a regular basis. Personally, I go for bokashi tea as well as golden water, and that seems to suit them well.

What do you need to grow tomatoes in a small space?

First of all, you will need a container with good drainage. Over the years I have tried various methods of growing tomatoes and various types of containers as well as different sizes. I have grown them on their own and I have companion planted them. What I have found to work the best is to sow them close together in seed pots, and then transfer them to smaller pots. Once you know for sure which are the strongest plants, you can transfer them to their own pots/containers.

You can grow tomatoes in a container as small as a 2-3 gallon one, but it is not recommended. They will not be as prolific as they would have been in a larger container. However, you’re still likely to get a harvest, so if you don’t have room for more than a two or three gallon container, then I say go for it. Some food grown is always better than no food grown. And the taste of a store bought tomato will never ever measure up to the sweet taste and fragrance of a homegrown one. They truly taste like sunshine.

Utilising a small space

I like to grow as much as possible in the small space I currently have to utilise. That means having to factor in both the width and height of the potted plants and the space available. In order for me to grow tomatoes and potatoes vertically, I keep shelves in the greenhouse. Since I will be placing about two containers on each level, each pot individually cannot be too large or weigh too much.

After many attempts, I have found that 5 gallon containers is my sweet spot. Tomatoes tend to produce well and grow well in that amount of space. Five gallon is still a small enough container that I can keep several on the shelves. Usually one or two on each one, making sure the plants have a way of growing upward without resistance.

So any type of 5 gallon container with good drainage should work just fine. Be it a pot, a grow bag, a thicker garbage bag, a milk carton – it is all up to you and what you have access to.

What do the tomato plants need to thrive?

To grow tomatoes, you need sunshine, an adequate amount of water, rich soil and fertiliser. If you are a complete beginner, that may sound like a lot, but is much easier than it sounds. All you need to do is fill up your container with rich soil, make a hole in the middle and pour some fertiliser and/or bury some compost there. Then you place the plant inside that hole and add more soil on top of its roots. Water regularly and fertilise once a week. As mentioned, golden water works well, and so does bokashi tea.

How do you protect the plants from pests?

Tomato plants can have issues with aphids, and that is where companion planting comes in. Planting certain herbs and vegetables nearby the tomatoes can deter pests and prevent them from approaching your plants. If you do get some stubborn aphids attacking your plant, there are a few things you can do.

• Rub a ring of vaseline along the base of the tomato plant to prevent ants from climbing up it. They use the aphids and therefore they protect them so that their source of nutrients will stay where it is.

• Spray the aphids with a mix of cayenne, natural soap and filtered water.

• Squish the aphids to kill them off and ward off any ants you see.

• Plant other plants or herbs nearby to deter pests from coming near your tomatoes.

Examples of companion plants to deter pests:

• Marigolds

• Basil

• Legumes

• Bee balm

• Chives

• Garlic

• Mint

• Onion

And many more…

How do you know which tomato variety you should plant?

Both determinate and indeterminate varieties can be grown in containers. However, determinate ones are generally seen as the simpler alternative of the two. It all comes down to how much room you have and how big a container you wish to use.

You must figure out what type of tomato you like to eat and would therefore like to grow. Do you have a preference for cherry tomatoes? Plum tomatoes? Or perhaps beefsteak tomatoes? There are many more to choose from, so simply go with your gut and choose the one you feel is right. Be sure to grow tomatoes that are of a variety you enjoy eating.

How do you sow tomatoes?

I like to think there are two main ways to grow tomatoes. The first is from seed, and it is a very straightforward process. You grab your pot or container and add soil, water the soil and then you plant the seeds. I like to plant them fairly close to the surface, about half a centimetre down.

The other method involves placing slices or wedges of tomatoes on top of the soil. Eventually the seeds will sprout and then turn to tomato plants. You will spread them out and place them in in individual pots once they’ve grown large enough.

How long does it take to grow tomatoes from seed to harvest?

It takes 90-110 days to grow tomatoes starting from the day you plant the seeds. Most sprout within a few days, though it will take a few weeks for them to grow large enough and strong enough to grow in their own individual containers.

What if my tomatoes are still green when it is time to harvest?

Some let the tomatoes mature on a plate on a window sill, letting the sun turn them red. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. But fret not, having a lot of green tomatoes to use is a gift and you can still get a lot of food out of them. Green tomatoes are often sold in farmer’s markets and grocery stores and with good reason. They make for simply excellent salsa. They can also be sun-dried and preserved with olive oil and herbs. You could also oven bake them and use them in sauces, stews and even in fermented taco paste.

Can you grow tomatoes indoor?

Yes! It is possible to grow tomatoes indoor in grow bags or pots all year round. You will need to use grow lights as an artificial source of light. You may also need to help pollinate the flowers manually when they get to that stage, since you’ll have no pollinators inside.

There is also the option of growing tomatoes hydroponically indoor. You will then require a hydroponic system, a fertiliser made for hydroponic systems and water. There are many ways to make your own hydroponic system at home. One of them include using a glass jar, brown paper, a grow basket and some form of growing medium to be placed inside the basket.

No matter if you have a large garden, a window sill or no way of growing your food outside, you can grow your own tomatoes at home.

In summary:

You need a five gallon container with good drainage, some rich soil, some compost, a liquid fertiliser, water and either tomato seeds or slices/wedges from your favourite tomato.

Good luck and may your harvest be bountiful!