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Tomatoes are one of those vegetables that we don’t give enough appreciation to in our home, but we use a lot of them! If you are looking for an excellent addition to a salad, or a fun veggie to add to your snack tray, cherry tomatoes are always a great option!
For example, this Italian Sausage Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes is perfect for when you have company- quick and easy but looks impressive. If you're grilling you can't beat Ginger-Soy Beef with Chile Tomatoes which has the best-ever marinade!
Okay, back to growing the tomatoes - we definitely need to do that first! Cherry tomatoes are surprisingly easy to grow in a pot and especially fun for kids.
First things first, it is important to know when to plant which is based on your growing zone. If you're not sure what zone you are in, use the USDA Hardiness Zone Finder here.
How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes in a Pot
While the lack of a yard or limited space in your yard might be a great reason to start growing cherry tomatoes in a pot, they will often grow better in containers rather than in the ground. Pots are easier to keep free of weeds, but the benefits of putting cherry tomatoes in a pot go beyond that.
- Tomato plants grow very fast and require maintenance to produce a lot of fruit and preserve their shape.
- Pots will give your tomatoes plenty of airflow.
- It is easier to keep pests away from your tomatoes when they are in containers.
Tips Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Pots
Find a Spot with A lot of Sun
Cherry tomatoes need a lot of sunlight and heat to grow a bountiful harvest. Find a spot with at least six hours of sun a day, but if you can find a spot with at least eight or more, that is ideal!
Choosing the Perfect Container
The right container will be at least a foot deep. However, it would help if you had a pot that is at least 14 inches wide and can hold five gallons of water. Make sure your pot has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom to drain your plants properly.
Nurturing your Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes need to be watered daily. After you plant them, make sure that you are watering them each week with a soluble balanced fertilizer. Once your cherry tomatoes start to flower, you can switch to a high-potassium fertilizer.
Fruit Production for Cherry Tomatoes
As we mentioned earlier, cherry tomatoes grow very fast. Cherry tomatoes will take about ten weeks to grow, and a little longer to start producing fruit. You don’t want to over prune your tomatoes, but you should pinch off new leaf sheets in the thick areas to give your tomatoes plenty of airflow.
Be sure to use a tomato cage to help fit your plant’s needs to ensure that you have ample support for your cherry tomato plant.
How to Avoid Pests with Cherry Tomatoes
Plants will start to attract pests, and tomatoes are a known culprit. The best way to ensure that your tomatoes last the summer is to pick them as your cherries start to ripen. Overripe cherries will begin to attract bugs, which can then lead to other plants in your pots and garden.
Cherry tomatoes are shockingly easy to grow, even if you’re not an experienced planter. You don’t need a lot of materials, and you can easily grow them using pots and containers you have at home!
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