Growing tomatoes in a container garden is one of the most rewarding ways to bring summer flavor home—especially if you’re embracing the Tomato Girl Summer vibe. Whether you’re growing on a patio, balcony, or porch, a little planning and care can turn your container into a harvest-ready paradise. Here are four expert tips to make this your best tomato season yet.
1. Choose the Right Variety
Not all tomatoes are created equal when it comes to container growing. Look for compact or determinate varieties that thrive in confined spaces. Cherry tomatoes are a favorite—they’re prolific, fast-growing, and perfectly poppable straight from the vine.
Grow Pro favorites:
Bush Early Girl: A good choice for slicing tomatoes in containers
Better Bush: A determinate variety that produces a good yield in Containers
Patio: A compact, determinate variety that is ideal for container gardening.
Husky Cherry Red: A sweet and productive cherry tomato.
Tumbling Tom Yellow Tomato: Great flavor and perfect for tabletop
2. Give Your Tomatoes Room to Grow and Nutrient Rich Soil to Grow In
Tomatoes need space to stretch their roots and breathe. Use a container that’s at least 14 inches deep with plenty of drainage holes. Grow bags (like the ones we include in our Gardenuity kits) are ideal—they promote airflow, reduce root rot, and are easy to move.
Grow Pro Tip: Soil Matters! The Gardenuity foundation brings coffee-infused fertility and this nutrient-rich medium is designed with the plants needs in mind.
3. Support Early and Feed Often
Tomatoes are natural climbers. Stake or cage your plant early to prevent damage as it grows. And don’t forget to feed! Container-grown tomatoes use up nutrients faster than in-ground plants, so keep your soil alive and thriving. Living soil will provide the plants all the nutrients they need.
Grow Pro Tip: We recommend feeding the soil every week with a soil serum. Kelp, Plant Proteins, Plant Carbohydrates and Humate are naturally rich and will feed the soil microbes promoting strong root system.
4. Prune for Productivity
Remove the small “sucker” shoots that grow between the main stem and leaf branches. This encourages stronger stems and more flavorful fruit. Pruning helps your plant focus its energy where it counts—growing tomatoes!
Grow Pro Tip: Why prune below the first fruit cluster? Removing stems and leaves below the first flower cluster improves airflow and reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases splashing up onto your plant. It also helps the plant send more energy into developing fruit, rather than unnecessary foliage lower on the plant.
Remove the small “sucker” shoots that grow between the main stem and leaf branches. This encourages stronger stems and more flavorful fruit. Pruning helps your plant focus its energy where it counts—growing tomatoes!
Your Best Tomato Season Yet
A container tomato garden can turn even the smallest outdoor space into a summer sanctuary. With the right plant, a little love, and these four tips, you’re well on your way to harvests that taste like sunshine.