How to Grow Heirloom Tomatoes in a Pot

Home gardeners love heirloom tomatoes because they have great flavors, beautiful colors, and interesting shapes. While planting them in the ground is best, you can still grow them in pots with the right care and conditions.

Why Grow Heirloom Tomatoes in Pots?

There are a few key reasons you may want to grow heirloom tomatoes in containers

• If you don’t have a big garden bed, you can still grow fresh heirloom tomatoes in pots and enjoy them in a small yard, balcony, or patio.

• Portability: Pots can be moved to take advantage of the best sun exposure or provide frost protection.

• Control: Containers provide control over the soil and allow you to provide tailored care.

• One more harvest: spring pots warm up faster, so you can get a jump on the season.

Choosing a Pot for Heirloom Tomatoes

To grow healthy, productive heirloom tomato plants in pots, start by choosing the right container:

• Material: Use a good pot made of plastic, ceramic, wood, or fabric that has enough holes in it to drain. Avoid thin plastic pots that can easily crack.

• Size: For determinate tomatoes, use a 10-15 gallon pot. For indeterminate tomatoes, go with at least a 15-25 gallon pot. Bigger is better!

• Depth: Opt for a pot that is at least 12-18 inches deep to accommodate the tomato’s roots.

• Drainage: Make sure your pot has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. You can add extra holes if needed.

• Color: Dark colored pots absorb more heat while light colored pots stay cooler. Go with red, green, or terracotta pots.

Best Soil for Container Heirlooms

Your container tomato plants will only be as healthy as the soil you plant them in. Here are some tips:

• Purchase quality potting mix: Avoid plain garden soil which can compact and drain poorly. Opt for a well-draining mix made for containers.

• Add compost: Mix in 25-30% compost to provide nutrients and improve moisture retention.

• Check the pH: Test the pH of your potting mix and amend if needed. Heirlooms like a pH between 6.0-6.5.

• Pre-moisten: Before planting, moisten your soil mix well by adding water until it drips from the bottom of the pot.

Choosing Tomato Varieties for Containers

When selecting tomato varieties for pots, consider:

• Determinate types: As they grow to a fixed size, compact determinate tomatoes are ideal for containers.

• Dwarf or ‘patio’ types: These were bred specifically for smaller spaces like pots.

• Cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes produce smaller fruit so they adapt well to pots.

• Early producers: Look for heirlooms that mature fruit quickly, an advantage for container growing.

Some top picks include ‘Red Robin’ and ‘Tiny Tim’ cherry tomatoes, ‘Bush Beefsteak’, and ‘Patio’ or ‘Tumbler’ types.

Caring for Container Grown Heirlooms

To keep your potted heirloom tomatoes happy and productive through the season:

• Water: Check soil moisture daily and water when the top few inches are dry. Add mulch to help retain moisture.

• Fertilize: Use a water soluble tomato fertilizer every 2-3 weeks after the plants start flowering.

• Sun: Place pots in the sunniest spot you can provide, at least 6-8 hours of direct sun per day.

• Support: Insert a tomato cage or stakes in the pot to support the weight of the plant and fruits.

• Prune: Remove suckers and excess foliage regularly so plants don’t outgrow pots.

• Monitor for pests: Check undersides of leaves for common pests like aphids, whiteflies, etc. Take action promptly if found.

• Watch for disease: Prevent issues like blight by avoiding overhead watering and providing good air circulation.

Growing Heirlooms from Seed in Pots

You can save money and access unique heirloom varieties by starting seeds yourself. Here’s how:

• Get supplies: You’ll need seed starting mix, small containers, plastic domes, and grow lights.

• Plant seeds: Fill cells or pots with mix, plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in each, label, and water well.

• Create humidity: Place seeded pots in a tray, cover with a dome, and provide bottom heat if possible.

• Germinate: Once sprouted, move to full light and remove the dome. Thin excessive seedlings.

• Transplant: When plants have 4-6 true leaves, repot into larger containers. Gradually expose to sunlight and outdoor conditions before transplanting.

• Harden off: Allow 1-2 weeks for seedlings to harden off and adjust to outdoor exposure before transplanting into final pots.

Tips for Maximizing Contained Heirlooms

Follow these tips to get the very best results from your potted heirloom tomato plants:

• Move containers to a sheltered spot if temperatures drop below 45°F.

• Consider using self-watering pots to provide consistent moisture.

• Try a large fabric grow bag instead of a traditional pot.

• Mix in used coffee grounds or Epsom salts occasionally for a nutrient boost.

• Use large 5-7 gallon buckets for a budget-friendly pot option.

• Rotate pots to encourage even growth and sun exposure.

• If blossoms drop, fluctuating temperatures or humidity could be the issue.

• Prune off lower leaves up to the first fruit cluster to improve air circulation.

Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor

One of the best parts of growing food in your own garden is getting to enjoy fresh produce right where it was grown. Heirloom tomatoes certainly don’t disappoint in the flavor department. The fun shapes and colors just add to the experience. With the right conditions and care, you can successfully grow these tasty treasures in pots on your patio or porch.