• Home
  • Meet Lois
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Walking On Sunshine Recipes

Join me as I help you get dinner on the table every night for your family. I love to share decorating ideas, gardening tips and amazing recipes!

  • Recipe Index
  • Family Favorite Chicken Recipes
  • Easy Cookie Recipes
  • Air Fryer Appetizers
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Weekly Meal Plans
  • Holidays & Seasons
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Christmas
    • Winter
You are here: Home / Home and Garden / Gardening / 5 Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Tomatoes in Containers

Gardening Home and Garden
Published: June 2, 2018 | Last Updated: April 2, 2019 | Author: Lois

5 Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Tomatoes in Containers

Here are 5 Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Tomatoes in Containers this summer because not all of us have an acre of land to plant a garden.

Man holding bunch of tomatoes from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Growing Tomatoes in Containers

We love to garden and are fortunate enough to have enough property to grow our tomatoes the normal way…in the ground.  However, for some people that’s not the case and they decide to try growing tomatoes in containers.  Today I’m going to discuss 5 mistakes you should avoid when growing tomatoes in containers either on your back porch, back deck or maybe even your side garden.

Container gardening has become super popular in recent years.  While growing herbs remain the favorite choice, many are now also trying to grow tomatoes in containers.  And a lot of people are having a ton of success while other’s are not.

If done right, you can have a successful crop of tomatoes this summer grown in a container that’s sitting on your back deck.

5 Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Tomatoes in Containers

Choosing the Wrong Size Containers

Unlike herb containers, you need to have bigger containers when growing tomatoes. This is because the larger the container is, the more soil it can hold as well as the ability to hold more water which in turn, provides more nutrients for your plants.

Attempting to grow your tomatoes in small containers can lead the plants to become water and nutrient deprived pretty soon.

Tomatoes picked from the garden held in hands from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.

Not Enough or Too Little Water

Too much or too little water as well, can be a big mistake to avoid while growing tomatoes. With too much water, the plant will drown, and with too little water, the blossoms will rot.

Keep checking the plants occasionally and water them until the soil remains damp, not wet,  just damp.  Also, make sure the pot has holes so there is proper drainage for the plant.

Tomatoes in Wooden Basket with sprig of herbs on top from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Not Enough Sunlight

Tomatoes are sun loving plants, so you’ve got to be absolutely sure that you give them enough exposure to sunlight for them to grow at their best. Tomatoes thrive in the hot afternoon sun.

Large quantity of home-grown tomatoes from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.

Overcrowding

One of the worst mistakes you could possibly make with container gardening, specifically when it comes to planting tomatoes, is overcrowding the plants. Make sure you have just one tomato plant in one container and nothing else.  Some people like to plant a few herbs around the base of the tomato plant, but it’s always best to have a separate container for your herbs to grow.

Watering tomato plant in container from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.

Growing them Upside Down

If you read gardening blogs, you may have come across lately the advice to grow tomatoes upside down. However, tomatoes truly taste best when grown the traditional way.

A bunch of beautiful grape tomatoes from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.

If you keep in mind these common mistakes and stick to the basics, you’ll be enjoying fresh tomato sandwiches in no time this summer!

More Beautiful Gardening Tips and Ideas: 

  • How to Grow Hostas
  • Tips on Growing Tomatoes
  • Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Tomatoes in Containers
  • Tips on Growing Sunflowers in  your Garden
  • Outdoor Gardening Inspiration

 

 

 

Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Tomatoes in Containers


5 Comments

About Lois

Originally from Queens, NY, Lois now calls northeastern PA home. You can find her blogging over at Walking on Sunshine where she shares a little of her life, but more importantly what’s for dinner at her house tonight.

« The Easiest Way to Make Deviled Eggs
Lemon Basil Mint Spritzer with Fresh Ginger »

Comments

  1. Barbara Chapman says

    May 14, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    Thank you, Lois, for the reminder about not crowding the tomato plants. 🙂 I need to move my planter to a sunnier spot, too. <3

    Happy gardening to you,
    Barb 🙂

    Reply
  2. mbourtv says

    June 4, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Thank you ever so for you post.Much thanks again.

    Reply
    • Lois says

      June 4, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you for visiting!

      Reply
  3. Leona Olson says

    June 2, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    I tried the upside down years ago and did did not work. Good article.

    Reply
    • Lois says

      June 2, 2018 at 10:20 pm

      Good to know! Thanks for visiting!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Looking for something?

Walking on Sunshine Profile Photo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Printable Recipe Binder and Cookbook

Popular Posts

  • Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon
  • Cast Iron Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts
  • Easy Garlic Butter Spread Recipe that you can Freeze and VIDEO
  • Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Breaded Chicken Cutlets – Italian Style

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Lois is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

 

Copyright © 2021 · WALKING ON SUNSHINE CREATIVE SERVICES, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED