Even if there isn't enough space in the garden for vegetable beds, you shouldn't necessarily miss out on delicious home-grown vegetables. Everyone's favorite tomato can also be planted in pots and containers and can therefore be grown on terraces and balconies to save space. Upside down tomato plants are also a novelty that brings delicious fruits to your patio. Learn how to grow hanging tomatoes here and harvest your own tasty fruit this summer.
If you don't have enough space, you can grow tomatoes hanging
Hanging baskets full of colorful blooms are a common sight in summer, but how about a hanging pot filled with clusters of just-ripe tomatoes? Yes, you can do that! Tomato plants in hanging containers are best for gardens that have little or nono space for plantersoffer. Hanging tomatoes require significantly more care than their in-ground or container counterparts, but are a labor of love that is rewarded with a sweet, juicy result for the extra watering and strong support they require. Follow these tips for growing trailing tomato plants and you'll be well on your way to a delicious harvest.
Space-saving and productive: What should you pay attention to with hanging tomatoes?
Choose the right pot
Tomatoes grow in traditional hanging baskets or upside down in specially prepared pots. Although they are relatively new, upside down hanging pots provide many practical usesChallenges for tomato cultivationThe plants naturally want to grow towards the sun. When planted upside down in a special container, the tomato stems will bend and form a U-shape as they attempt to grow toward the light. But be careful: the curved stems are weak and break easily under the weight of the fruit or in strong winds. Inverted pots can also partially shade the developing plant. Make sure to choose a location with plenty of direct sunlight so that the fruit thrives optimally.
The best upside down tomato pots are made from sturdy buckets; The popular thin, breathable plastic pots dry out far too quickly and are rather unsuitable for this growing method. In hot and dry weather, breathable plastic pots need to be watered more than once a day. Choose a light-colored plant pot, as dark pots can cause the roots of the plants to overheat in the summer heat.
When choosing a traditional hanging basket or inverted pot for a tomato plant, size is important. Choose a pot with a diameter of 30 to 60 centimeters and a capacity of at least 5 liters of soil. Tomatoes have an extensive root system. Their root system not only ensures the plant's growth, but also anchors it in the pot. Plenty of soil is essential for a strong plant.
Growing tomatoes hanging: focus on light
All tomato varieties require 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to grow well and bear fruit. When choosing a location for your tomato plants, make sure to choose a spot that is not shaded by a nearby building, roof, or trees. Pay particular attention to patio covers that are often used as a location for hanging plants - porch roofs typically cast too much shade for tomato plants.
The best location for hanging baskets for tomatoes is probably the south side of a building. Zones 7 and above prefer a hanging spot that receives a few hours of shade from the intense afternoon sun, while zones 6 and below can tolerate a full day of sun.
Invest in an ultra-strong support
A fully grown tomato plant in a hanging basket with moist soil can weigh 20 kilograms or more. Combined with the wind and the weight of the container, it becomes clear how important stable support is. Purchase wall anchors and hanging hardware from a hardware store to support the hanging tomato plant.
Grow tomatoes hanging: Choose small tomato varieties
The best tomato plants for hanging are cherry and cocktail tomatoes. These small-fruited plants withstand growing in containers much better than large tomatoes, and their long, rope-like tendrils can be pulled over the edges of the pot. Here are 5 great tomato plants for hanging baskets.
- The hybrid 'Midnight Snack' is an indigo-type cherry tomato that ripens red with a shiny black-purple coloring where exposed to sunlight. It produces large clusters of fruit.
- 'Tiny Tim' is a variety with 3 cm tall, cherry-red bush tomatoes on small, neat plants. It has good disease resistance and excellent taste.
- The hybrid 'Tumbler' is a bright red cherry tomato that is particularly suitable for hanging planters. Its compact vines bear up to 3 kilograms of fruit in one season.
- The cultivar 'Tumbling Tom Red' and the yellow-fruited hybrid 'Tumbling Tom' grow cascading over the edge of a traditional hanging basket and bear lots of sweet, red and yellow tomatoes, respectively, 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter. The fruits weigh approximately 30 grams.
- 'Hoffmans Rentita' is a very robust variety with red fruits that ripen quickly and weigh up to 80 grams.
- The 'Gold Nugget' variety can grow up to 150 cm and is very productive, with the spicy-sweet fruits weighing up to 20 grams.
How to Grow Trailing Tomatoes
Tomatoes planted in traditional hanging baskets or window boxes are planted much like a pot of annual flowers. Fill the container with good quality potting soil.Add a slow-release fertilizer– a fertilizer designed for food crops is a good choice. Then plant the tomato plant and water it well. The hanging tomatoes are only allowed outside after the Ice Saints. Plan to water your tomato hanging basket daily, even twice a day in hot and dry weather.
