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14 Mistakes Everyone Makes Growing Tomatoes in Containers

Few vegetables can match the flavor of a big, juicy tomato, but growing tomatoes in containers comes with certain pitfalls.

While it’s not rocket science, even experienced gardeners get it wrong at times, as tomatoes require certain amounts of sun and moisture, among other things.

For that reason, we’ve created a list of the most common mistakes and also how to remedy and even prevent them from ever happening. Get ready to enjoy fresh homegrown tomatoes with every meal!

Not Using Support

Staked tomato plants in a raised bed
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Tomato plants can get heavy and need support to stay upright. Keeping them upright looks tidier, allows air circulation, and promotes larger yields. If left on the ground, tomatoes are susceptible to disease, critters, and pests.

These plants are fast-growing, so support them right when you plant them: try implementing cages, trellises, or stakes.

Not Choosing Container-Friendly Varieties

Roma or Bangalore Tomatoes (Indian hybrid). Determinate variation.
Image Credit: Aravind Sivaraj – CCA SA 3.0/WikiCommons.

Tomatoes vary and have different growing habits, so choosing a suitable variety for your container garden is smart. While most tomato varieties will grow in containers, I find determinate varieties (such as bush and patio) are easier to grow in pots.

These varieties will likely bear fruit once and then are done for the season. They also stop growing after reaching a certain height, and are typically more compact.

Indeterminate varieties, however, continue to grow, meaning they will eventually run out of room in a pot. On the plus side, they have a longer fruiting period, though do better planted in the ground.

Overwatering

Tomato roots showing symptoms of corky root rot.
Image Credit: Hanna Friberg (SLU) – CCA SA 4.0/WikiCommons.

Tomatoes love water, but only so much. Overwatering your tomatoes can lead to root rot, limit the amount of airflow around the roots, and suffocate them. If you suspect that you may have overwatered your tomatoes, wait for the soil surface to dry out slightly before watering again — this time in moderation.

The aim is to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Mold on the soil, cracked fruit, and weak stems may warn you of overwatering. Other signs may include soft or mushy leaves, and bumps on the leaves.

Underwatering

Blossom end rot (calcium deficiency) on a tomato.
Image Credit: A13ean – CCA SA 3.0/WikiCommons.

Underwatering tomatoes is just as bad as overwatering them. The perfect balance is somewhere in between. It also causes a calcium deficiency in the soil and the plant, which leads to blossom end rot.

Blossom end rot occurs when the blossom end of the tomato fruit turns black. Water your plants consistently and evenly for healthy, bountiful tomatoes.

Overcrowding the Plants

Tomato Plant in a black pot with stakes.
Image Credit: Dennis Lamczak – CCA SA 3.0/WikiCommons.

Space is essential for tomatoes to grow well. They need good air circulation and space for their root systems. Overcrowding them means the plants will compete for water and nutrients, which can result in stunted plants and lower yields.

The ideal number is one plant per pot; overcrowding can make them susceptible to disease. Also, ensure that there’s enough space between containers.

Using Undersized Containers

Young tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) in Lónyaytelep, Transylvania in various pots and containers.
Image Credit: DenesFeri – CCA SA 4.0/WikiCommons.

Growing tomatoes in too-small pots hinders their growth by suppressing the root system. Tomatoes need enough room to grow well, and large pots are ideal. The bigger the container, the healthier the plants and the better the harvest.

Also, larger containers hold more soil and water. The pots should have draining holes at the bottom to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Shallow Planting

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)- Root knot nematodes. Strong plant root.
Image Credit: Public Domain/WikiCommons.

Deeply planting tomatoes allows more roots to grow, which helps stabilize the plant. A solid root base can support larger stems. When tomatoes start fruiting, they can become heavy and need proper anchoring into the soil.

Planting them deep also helps the plant better absorb water, moisture, and nutrients. Bury your plant up to the first set of leaves.

Too Little Sunlight

Tomatoes on Vine in Sunlight.
Image Credit: Dwight Sipler – CCA 2.0/WikiCommons.

Tomatoes love sunny spots and produce a great harvest with the right amount of sunlight. For tomatoes to flourish, six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal. Rotate your containers when you can to ensure the whole plant has access to sunlight.

They may survive in the shade, but a lack of sun will affect the plant’s overall health and yield. Yellowing leaves and leggy or spindly stems can indicate inadequate sunlight.

Poor Soil Quality

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Choosing the right potting mix for your tomatoes is essential to their growth. A nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix is a great option. Potting mixes are better for container gardening than regular garden soil, which can be denser. The potting mix is fluffier, allowing air and water to penetrate the roots better.

Poor soil quality lacks the nutrients needed to grow strong tomato plants that can produce a huge yield.

Not Fertilizing

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Container-grown tomatoes need frequent fertilization because nutrients drain out with excess water — about once every two weeks.

There are numerous types to choose from. To grow healthy tomatoes, use a fertilizer that has nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Follow the package instructions to avoid over-fertilization, which can damage your plants by burning their roots.

Watering the Leaves

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings in Lónyaytelep, Transylvania.
Image Credit: DenesFeri – CCA SA 4.0/WikiCommons.

Tomato plants love water, but the leaves do not. Watering the leaves makes them vulnerable to infections. Some of the diseases wet foliage is susceptible to are leaf mold, septoria leaf spot, and bacterial spot.

Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry, and if using a hose, adjust the pressure. Overhead watering is never ideal for tomatoes; water dripping from leaves can also spread disease from leaf to leaf.

Not Pruning Suckers

Stock Photo ID: 1882235353. Prune the water shoots that grow between the stems and twigs of the tomato plant.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Look out for suckers between the main and lateral stems and pinch them off. Pruning suckers and young branches redirect the plant’s energy from growing new leaves to growing fruit. Pruning also promotes better airflow, speeds ripening, and encourages bigger fruit.

Although pruning is optional, it has many benefits. Only prune indeterminate varieties because they continue growing through the season.

Poor Pest Control

Stock Photo ID: 2278036179. Female hands in a greenhouse spray tomato bushes, treatment of tomato bushes from insects and diseases at home.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Frequently checking your tomato plants is a clever way to catch bugs and pests early. Tomato plants can fall prey to pests that attack fruit and leaves, and catching pests early could potentially save your fruit and plants.

Pests like hornworms can even be picked off your plant with gloves on. Regularly checking your plants is a good practice; ignoring pests can destroy crops.

Neglecting to Harvest

Stock Photo ID: 1654151992. Split over ripe Cherry Tomato left to rot and wither on the vine, closeup macro seperated by shallow depth of field. Late summer Tomatoes.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Harvest tomatoes as soon as they ripen, rather than leaving them on the vine to rot and attract diseases and bugs. Tomatoes begin to ripen from the blossom end, so once you notice this, check them regularly until they’re ready to be harvested.

If the weather turns bad, you can pick mature tomatoes while still green. Place them in a closed paper bag or box, and they will ripen naturally.

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