Learn the best tips on How to Grow so Many Tomatoes in so Little Space and enjoy a fresh harvest even if you don’t have a garden!
How to Grow so Many Tomatoes in so Little Space
1. Mind the Time
Don’t start the plants too early before the season unless you live in a warm climate. Otherwise, your tomato plants will be exposed to unexpected late frost and cold temperatures.
The best planting time is when the temperature starts to stay above 50 F (10 C). Also, provide the sunlight, as much sun as possible. The logic is simple–the more your tomato plant will soak the sunlight, the more it will fruit.
2. Plant them Right
Unlike all other plants, tomatoes must be planted deeply. Deep planting encourages a healthy and strong root system.
At the time of planting, cover the bottom 2/3 part of your tomato seedling with potting soil. For example, if your plant is 10 inches high, leave only 3 or 4 inches of its height from the top.
3. Pick the Right Variety
Grow determinate varieties of tomatoes if you’re short of space or growing tomatoes in containers. Determinate tomatoes don’t grow too tall or wide (generally, 3to 4 feet).
Both hybrid and heirloom cultivars are available in it.
Growing indeterminate tomatoes in a small space is a mistake, they easily grow above 6 feet tall normally and spread a lot, thus require strong support by caging or staking.
On the other hand, the determinate type of tomatoes requires slight support.
4. Provide Space
Space your tomato plants well, 14-18 inches apart (determinate one). Ideally, you should leave the space of 24 inches if possible. Tomato plants grown too close are prone to fungal diseases and are less productive.
On a small balcony, you can even grow smaller varieties more closely. Consider cherry tomatoes. But remember, tomatoes growing too tightly require more attention: More fertilizer, water, and pruning.
5. To Prune or Not to Prune
Pruning is not necessary unless plants are grown too close. Prune tangling branches that are blocking the airflow and penetration of the sun.
Also, remove suckers (emerging stems) up to 6-8 inches under each plant. This will improve the productivity of the plant.
6. Choose a Right Pot
Use large pots to grow tomatoes. You can use a 5 to 7-gallon pot that is 10 to 14 inches deep for a single plant of determinate variety.
For an indeterminate type, choose a bigger container. The container should be deep, a minimum of 12 inches is necessary, but a little more would be better.
7. Water the Plants in a Correct Manner
When growing tomatoes in a container, regular watering is essential. Watering must be done in the morning. Almost every day or two in summer. In the hot climate, you may even need to water twice a day.
Avoid overhead watering. Wetting the foliage is a bad practice as wet leaves and stems are more prone to diseases.
8. Feed the Plants
The deficiency of calcium promotes blossom end rot in tomatoes. It is an essential element in the uptake of nutrients. Calcium also saves the plant from heat stress and affects fruit quality.
At the time of planting, place 2-3 crushed chicken eggshells in the bottom. This will provide a constant supply of minerals and calcium to the plant.
Sprinkle some bonemeal at the time of planting, especially if your soil lacks calcium. Bonemeal will also provide a slow and steady supply of phosphorus to the plant. It is an organic product that consists of a higher amount of phosphorus and calcium.
9. Grow them Vertically
You can easily train the tomatoes to grow vertically, which is the best method to enjoy a fresh harvest in a limited space. For this, you’ll have to use a trellis or a support system.
Our editor found Sungold, Blondkopfchen, Black Cherry, and Gardeners Delight the best for vertical growing.
Similarly, you can also grow them in hanging baskets to save space. Grow Tiny Tim, Red Robin, Celano Hybrid, and Whippersnapper for plenty of harvest.
Some Quick Tips to Grow Best Tomatoes
Caging needs more space, so instead of it, support tomatoes by stacking. If you are growing tomatoes on a balcony, consider tying them up to the railing.
Don’t grow tomatoes upside down. It is a fancy idea but not a practical one. However, you can grow tomatoes (cherry tomatoes) in hanging baskets.
Use soilless potting mix for a better result. You can buy it or make your own following the recipes here.
Soil pH matters. The ideal pH for tomatoes is around 6 – 6.8. Slightly acidic to neutral!
Add worm castings or vermicompost to the soil. You can also put worms in the soil.
Use Epsom salt for tomatoes. To know why and how–check out our article.
Once a month, fertilize the plant with liquid seaweed, compost, or manure tea.
Mulch your tomato plants; it is essential. For mulching, use organic matter, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, or used tea leaves.
David
March 8, 2016 At 7:02 pm
Great article! Another way to grow a lot of tomatoes in a small amount of space is via aquaponics!
Reply
sandeep sharma
March 9, 2016 At 6:12 am
Use full information
Reply
Thea
May 1, 2016 At 12:40 am
Good post. I am bookmarking this for my vegetable garden this year!
Reply
Shiraz
May 31, 2016 At 10:11 am
A lot of useful ideas. Learned a lot. Will try to apply them to improve my second year balcony garden.
Reply
kabir
November 19, 2016 At 6:21 pm
Really nice article.I have seen here many information that will help the people.But I like aquaponics to grow tomato.
Reply
Veleria
January 15, 2017 At 5:36 am
Using good potting soil is very important. Great information.
Reply
Ventsislav
November 11, 2017 At 5:04 am
My parents getting soil from forrest .
That’s the best soil ever !
Reply
Kennedy
February 13, 2017 At 4:19 am
You can cordon grow indeterminate tomatoes spacing them as close as 12-18 inches. I get far more tomatoes cordon growing indeterminate tomatoes vs letting determinate tomatoes sprawl. Cordon growing requires pruning and staking but it keeps the fruit clean, keeps the air moving and looks clean and tidy in the garden. It also produces larger fruit, and I find they ripen faster. In prior years where I let my vines sprawl and I struggled to find ways to keep them off the ground I had nothing but issues – it’s worth the effort to cordon grow, well it’s worth the effort for me because I have limited space and LOVE my heirloom tomatoes.
Reply
Kay
February 20, 2017 At 6:33 pm
Can u explain cordon growing ? And would it help in a tiny garden plot?
Reply
Traci
August 8, 2020 At 9:15 pm
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-cordon-tomatoes/
Reply
Jadesola
May 26, 2017 At 5:54 pm
This is quite interesting. Where can one get the seeds. it got me fascinating. can these specie grow in tropical climate?
Reply
V. Kasiperumal.
June 13, 2017 At 2:19 pm
Good idea I liked it very much . I will try this type.
Reply
Wayne Montgomery
October 25, 2017 At 6:50 pm
I find this very informative and must try it this year,Will let you know how they grow this year. Thanks.
Reply
Stella
October 26, 2017 At 1:40 pm
Good and useful information. How and where can I get the tomatoes seed especially the determinate tomatoes seeds. Please can you explain the preferred time to plant in the tomatoes in the tropics.
Thank you.
Reply
Nellie
October 10, 2018 At 2:50 pm
How and where can I get the seeds?
The article sounds so easy that I think I can do this.
Thank you
Reply
Igodan
September 5, 2019 At 10:30 am
This is everything I needed to venture into planting
Reply
Samjowan K.B.
March 25, 2022 At 1:49 am
Interesting ideas to grow tomatoes. Has been a challenge recently. Will try growing in pots with trellis.
Reply
Great article! Another way to grow a lot of tomatoes in a small amount of space is via aquaponics!
Use full information
Good post. I am bookmarking this for my vegetable garden this year!
A lot of useful ideas. Learned a lot. Will try to apply them to improve my second year balcony garden.
Really nice article.I have seen here many information that will help the people.But I like aquaponics to grow tomato.
- Ventsislav
- November 11, 2017 At 5:04 am
- My parents getting soil from forrest .
- That’s the best soil ever !
- Reply
Using good potting soil is very important. Great information.
My parents getting soil from forrest . That’s the best soil ever !
You can cordon grow indeterminate tomatoes spacing them as close as 12-18 inches. I get far more tomatoes cordon growing indeterminate tomatoes vs letting determinate tomatoes sprawl. Cordon growing requires pruning and staking but it keeps the fruit clean, keeps the air moving and looks clean and tidy in the garden. It also produces larger fruit, and I find they ripen faster. In prior years where I let my vines sprawl and I struggled to find ways to keep them off the ground I had nothing but issues – it’s worth the effort to cordon grow, well it’s worth the effort for me because I have limited space and LOVE my heirloom tomatoes.
- Traci
- August 8, 2020 At 9:15 pm
- https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-cordon-tomatoes/
- Reply
Can u explain cordon growing ? And would it help in a tiny garden plot?
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-cordon-tomatoes/
This is quite interesting. Where can one get the seeds. it got me fascinating. can these specie grow in tropical climate?
Good idea I liked it very much . I will try this type.
I find this very informative and must try it this year,Will let you know how they grow this year. Thanks.
Good and useful information. How and where can I get the tomatoes seed especially the determinate tomatoes seeds. Please can you explain the preferred time to plant in the tomatoes in the tropics. Thank you.
How and where can I get the seeds? The article sounds so easy that I think I can do this. Thank you
This is everything I needed to venture into planting
Interesting ideas to grow tomatoes. Has been a challenge recently. Will try growing in pots with trellis.
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