Thought I'd share some of the items available to enhance tomato growing. Grow Bags: This is designed mostly for limited spaces. The Grow Bags are double-layer polypropylene fabric (felt-like), breathes, different sizes, flat bottoms, folds flat in off-season, tear-resistant, can use cages w/ them, and made in the USA. A tomato Grow Bag is about $13.
Tomato Cages for Potted Plants: They fold w/ square corners and may have extensions added to the top. Easy to store flat. Average around $12.
Self Watering Containers: Have easy fill and drain ports, a reservoir that hold several gallons of water, most have optional casters, and come in different sizes, shapes, and most in Terra Cotta or green colors. Average $40-70 depending on the options.
Tomato Trolley: This is a metal support system to hold oblong pots (24 x 18 1/2 x 28 ins), has a shelf under the pot, locking casters and is great for those that can't bend over or get on your knees (or anyone). Average $50.
Hanging Tomato Bags: The benefit is you don't need a garden at all. They are heavy to lift into place. There are all kinds, sizes, prices and qualities for these bags. Try the cheaper varieties if you want for one plant this year and see how it works for you. It may be just perfect. For those that want more options, these are available: Swivel hook to let you rotate sun exposure, water delivery reservoir (typically they take alot of watering), breathable zippered liner allows for easier handling, planting and storage, reusable steel cage, reinforced fabric, iron plant hangers for several & sunlight. These run about $20. There are others made from plastic instead of fabric; cheaper but requires more watching for water needs. Lastly, there are those made from natural coir fiber (looks like shredded coconut shells). They dry out quickly and need wire support. The ones that have a lining to limit drying run about $8.
Tomato Supports: There are all kinds, sizes and decorative supports. The one piece of advice I have about supports is make sure you can reach inside them to pick your tomatoes. Also, make sure you use posts for support of large plants. I use 4 foot wooden stakes on three sides. Supports can be trellises, wire frames, ladders, cages, and other re-purposed supports. The tough basic supports work in gardens, you may want something "prettier" in pots and flower beds. The point of support is to keep air circulating around the plant, takes less room, and makes picking easier. It also allows watering the soil not the leaves, helps prevent diseases, and makes picking easier.
Tomato Teepees: These work well if you like to get your tomato plants in the ground really early. It's basically a mini green house. These insulating cloches are water filled and soak up heat during the day and release during the night hours. Some believe the red ones do a better job for tomatoes. They run around $5.
Tomato Automators: Red plastic devices suppress weeds, protects from cutworms, catches water and directs to root zone and the red color is suppose to boost harvest. It works much like making your own catch basin, mulching, etc. but they are a hot item right now. Priced at about $4.
Tomato Potting Soil: Formulated with the nutrients specifically mixed for tomatoes, it is available in regular or organic. Most also have "self-watering" items to hold and slowly release water. Prices vary widely by where you shop, the brand, and quantity.
Tomato Varieties: Every year new hybrids are introduced. Specific attributes are usually plant and fruit size, disease resistance, days to maturity, eating/preserving qualities, and sometimes taste. I often try at least one new hybrid each year along with the tried and true old standards and a few heirlooms. This allows so much more diverse possibilities in all categories. Most really new varieties can only be found in catalogs or on line.
Reminder: Buying a large tomato plant set usually doesn't get tomatoes any faster than the smaller ones. Larger ones seem to take longer to adjust to transplanting and often need to be planted deeper whereas the smaller ones settle in and take right off. I've experimented with this several years in a row and it has always proved true. Save your money for more plants not bigger ones when it comes to veggies.
Whew!
My mouth is watering with all this talk of tomatoes out of the garden - a BLT calling my name! Sliced tomatoes on anything!
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