What size pot, container should you use for tomatoes?

For typical varieties of tomato plants use a very minimum of 15 gallon container. The smaller the container size the more often you will need to water, the smaller root system you will have resulting in a smaller top and less tomatoes.

So 20 gallon is better and 25 gallon is ideal. One tomato plant per container. Bigger pots/containers hold more soil, with more soil you will have bigger root systems. Bigger root systems produce bigger tops and bigger tops produce lots of tomatoes. If you are into growing dwarf and Bonsai tomato plants it’s easy to do. Use small containers so you have a little root system.

I think growing tomatoes in containers is the easiest way to grow tomatoes. The most important factors when growing in containers will be container size.

Pictured are 25 gallon pots/containers

The second part is using great potting soil/potting mix. We talk about and show you specific potting soils to use. Take a look at Best soil and Best Potting soils to use. At season’s end gently pull the old tomato plant. Discard along with the soil sticking to the roots. Refill it back up with some new potting soil/mix along with say one-third of a 1 cubic ft. bag of composted steer manure with compost.…that’s a very small bag. It will cost you less than $2.00….. then only plant 1 new plant.

This great potting soil/potting mix holds a lot of water. Remember, one pound of sphagnum peat moss or peat moss can hold 20-25 gallons of water. And with this great potting soil/potting mix, you cannot overwater. You will not water as often because this great soil holds the water longer—the water just doesn’t run through and out the bottom. This means you will save water by using less.

So, always water your tomato plant until the water comes out the bottom of your container. Self-Watering Containers are something I make and sell. You don’t really need to buy one to be successful. They just make watering easier. A Self-Watering Container has a water reservoir at the bottom of the container holding about 4 gallons of water.

Typical mature tomato plants use 2-3 gallons of water every day. You keep your reservoir full and your plant does not run out of water. With SelfWatering Containers, your tomato plant always gets the right amount of water…not too little, not too much. This also conserves, saves water usage. The water moves up through the soil like a wick in a lamp and the roots of the tomato grow down into the moist environment. For people living locally I make and deliver and you can see them on the order form. For others—this may be a convenience you miss out on…..hahaha…..keep in mind everyone will be successful.

The two pics below left are Self Watering containers and the pic on the right is a 20 gallon and a 25 gallon pot/container.

You are welcome to share this information with others—family, friends and clubs, etc.

Sharing tips helps us be better growers.

Dave Freed /  the Tomato Guy