| Tomato container gardens are an alternative to a | | | | As mentioned before, sunlight is a requirement in |
| traditional tomato garden. Tomatoes are one of the | | | | order to grow your tomato container garden. Scout |
| most popular vegetables, well in this case fruits, of | | | | out the area you are planning to use for your |
| people around the world. They can be used in so | | | | tomatoes. The spot for your tomato container |
| many ways, in a salad or to make a sauce for pasta | | | | garden must get at least four to six hours of sunlight. |
| and a myriad of other ways in your culinary pursuits. | | | | The more light the better since the sun promotes |
| Sadly in some places tomatoes are being priced at | | | | healthy, steady growth. The two most important |
| three dollars per pound or more. Fortunately, | | | | elements for success in tomato container gardening is |
| everyone can grow their own tomatoes, even | | | | sunlight and water. |
| people that live in apartments. The answer is to grow | | | | By growing your own tomato container garden you |
| a tomato container garden. You can grow them on a | | | | will know that there were no pesticides used on your |
| patio or balcony or in a bright sunny room in your | | | | plants. With all the controversy going on about |
| home. | | | | pesticides knowing that yours is pesticide free is an |
| The number one essential is sun. Tomatoes require a | | | | advantage for you and your family. Here is a good |
| lot of light and will not thrive without out it. The | | | | natural pest deterrent: |
| materials you will need to gather for your tomato | | | | In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 |
| container garden are simple. You will need containers | | | | cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty |
| that are about five gallons in size. Only plant one | | | | spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture |
| tomato plant per pot. You will need soil, tomato | | | | and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more |
| seedlings and stakes or a wire cage to hold the plant | | | | often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, |
| upright. String, or products called twist-tie or | | | | aphids, scales, and other pests. |
| sturdy-tie will be needed to tie the plant to the | | | | Other pluses to this type of garden is you no longer |
| stakes or cages. You will need a plastic tray for | | | | will be paying high prices for tomatoes, your |
| drainage; good drainage is essential to the health of | | | | containers won't take up much space and one plant |
| your tomato container garden. Last need on the list is | | | | usually yields enough tomatoes to feed your family. |
| fertilizer. | | | | The cost of a tomato container garden is minimal and |
| There are some species of tomatoes that will do | | | | the feeling of accomplishment is great. So why are |
| better in your tomato container garden. The bush | | | | you waiting to plant your tomatoes? It's time to |
| varieties of tomatoes work well in containers and are | | | | choose the variety of tomato you want to grow, |
| popular with container gardeners. Cherry tomatoes | | | | pick up some containers and start your tomato |
| and Christmas Grape tomatoes work well also | | | | container gardens today. |
| because of their size and many gardeners grow | | | | Happy Container Gardening! |
| them when space is limited. Other varieties that will | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved. |
| flourish in a tomato container garden are Celebrity, | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your website |
| Early Girl, and Sweet 100's. It really depends on which | | | | and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, |
| variety you want to grow and for what purposes. If | | | | copyright notice, links and the resource box are |
| you will be growing them mainly for salads the cherry | | | | unchanged. |
| varieties are the way to go. | | | | |