Tomatoes again...what's the best method..

[shiney]

....of growing them.

I've tried bags, I've tried them straight in the ground, but with limited space in my little garden the ground tomatoes take up lots of room.

Anybody got any tips for growing toms in a small space, that don't fall over and dry out too much?

Thanks!

[wulf]

Most plants take up a fair amount of space. I grew compact bush ones last year (garden pearl) but you still need a fair clump to get a worthwhile harvest at any given time.

This year, the seeds don't seem to be germinating, so I think I might be having a year off from tomatoes!

Wulf

[shiney]

Everything seems to be slow slow at poking their noses through the soil and budding this year. My grape vine is really late, there are tiny buds just appearing now. Infact I thought it was dead!

Maybe your tomato seeds are just still a little sleepy.

[Wombat]

Cherry tomatoes?

Nev

[wulf]

Maybe I should play them some loud music and see if it wakes them up!

Wulf

[justkate]

I grew a compact bush variety in containers last year . . . space is a problem for us too . . . the plants did ok, but I only got three tomatoes. However, I'm not sure if this was due to the growing method or my ineptitude. I've never had any luck growing them, and three was actually a 150% improvement on previous years. Anyhow, it might be worth a try, or you could have a go with one of the trailing varieties. I haven't tried them myself, but a friend says they are very good, and don't collapse or take up much space.

[shiney]

Thanks Kate and welcome. (whilst I remember. I always miss the newbie posts!)

Wulf...I bought some tomato seeds today, beefy looking ones and plummy looking ones. Goodness only knows where I am going to put them if they grow. The brick shed roof is looking like a promising area as it's about 12ft by 8ft and flat. Good or bad idea?

They were a bargain purchase at 5 pkts of seeds for a quid. Time will only tell just how much of a bargain they were!

[ina]

Cherry tomatoes?

Nev

Small variety, fruit the size of a cherry... (Not that they taste like them!)

[wulf]

They were a bargain purchase at 5 pkts of seeds for a quid. Time will only tell just how much of a bargain they were!

Don't forget, we'll be wanting pictures...

Wulf

[Millymollymandy]

I grow mine in pots, but they must be really huge pots because the root system is enormous. So it ends up costing a fair bit in potting compost and you have to water every day (sometimes twice) and feed weekly.

Cordon types take up much less room than the bush types which will take up far more patio space as they grow out, not up!

[shiney]

I will take pictures if they every show their faces Wulf!

I may try to do a couple of big pots MMM.

[ina]

I have always had mine in 10l buckets. I suppose they might get bigger in larger pots, but they did have a fair amount of fruit on them.

[Sandy]

Hi Shiney, got any hanging space with good sunlight? You could always try growing them upside down I've read varying reports on how well they do this way.

Here's a couple of links:

http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html

http://www.thetuscanhousewife.com/in_th ... o_planter/

I haven't tried this method yet, but will probably have a go, purely for the novelty value

Cheers,
Sandy

[glenniedragon]

what a great idea! I think I might try the upside-down bucket with one of my cherry toms......where to hang......mmm

kind thoughts, and thanks for the link!
Deb

[Batfink]

My wifes just got hold of a hanging basket tomato variety. I'll try and provide some more info on them when she gets back from work.