Growing tomatoes in grow bags is quickly becoming a popular way to garden in small areas and lower the risk of disease.
Heavy blight in my area has always made it impossible for me to grow tomatoes, but grow bags have made it possible for me to do so!
We’ll talk about which grow bags to use, how to grow tomatoes in them, the best tomato varieties, and how to have a great tomato harvest in this article.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products (including Amazon). If you click on my link and then buy something, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, I only link to products that I use on our homestead or believe in.
Growing tomatoes in grow bags is becoming increasingly popular for gardeners with limited space Grow bags provide an inexpensive and convenient way to grow tomatoes on a patio, balcony or other small area. They allow for good drainage and air flow around the roots, reducing disease problems Grow bags can also easily be moved to follow the sun or protect plants from frost.
When selecting a grow bag for tomatoes, bigger is usually better. Tomatoes have extensive root systems and need a large volume of soil. Grow bags less than 10 gallons will restrict root growth and result in smaller plants and reduced yields Consider the type of tomato variety you want to grow when choosing a grow bag size
Grow Bag Size Recommendations by Tomato Variety
Determinate tomatoes – 10-15 gallon bags. Good choices are:
- Gardzen 10-Pack 15 Gallon Grow Bags
- FineGearPow 5-Pack 10 Gallon Grow Bags
Determinate tomatoes tend to be bushier and more compact. A 10-15 gallon bag provides enough room for roots while keeping plant size manageable.
Indeterminate tomatoes – 15-25+ gallon bags. Good choices are:
- JERIA 12-Pack 30 Gallon Grow Bags
- LotFancy Grow Bags 20 Gallon
Indeterminate tomatoes grow in vines that can spread out 6 feet or more. The extra soil volume of 15-25+ gallon bags allows unrestricted root and vine growth.
Cherry and grape tomatoes – 5-7 gallon bags. A good choice is:
- FineGearPow 5-Pack 5/7 Gallon Grow Bags
Smaller fruited cherry and grape tomato varieties don’t require as large a grow bag. A 5-7 gallon bag provides sufficient room for healthy growth.
Other Grow Bag Considerations
Material – Look for durable, breathable fabric grow bags rather than plastic bags. Fabric allows better air flow to roots and avoids overheating. Canvas, felt and woven polypropylene are good fabric options.
Handles – Sturdy handles make moving grow bags much easier. Double stitched fabric handles are best for heavier, larger grow bags.
Shape – Grow bags with a wider, shallower profile provide more stable support for tall tomato plants versus narrow, tall bags. Wider bags also allow more horizontal root growth.
Drainage holes – Make sure bags have drainage holes in the bottom and lower sides for sufficient drainage and aeration. Without drainage, roots stay soggy and plants suffer.
Reusability – Good quality grow bags can be reused for 3-5 seasons if properly cared for. Select grow bags made of durable UV-resistant fabric.
Organic – For an eco-friendly choice, look for grow bags made from natural, biodegradable materials like canvas, burlap or felt. These will breakdown in the compost at end of life.
How to Grow Tomatoes in Grow Bags
Follow these tips for successfully growing tomatoes in grow bags:
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Fill grow bag 2/3 full with high quality potting mix, not garden soil. Potting mix provides the drainage tomatoes need.
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Bury tomato transplant deep so the lowest leaves are at soil level. Tomatoes root along their stems so deep planting establishes more roots.
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Use a cage or stake to support the plant soon after transplanting to prevent toppling over later.
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For indeterminate varieties, prune off lower leaves and any suckers for good air flow and discourage disease.
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Tomato plants need consistent moisture. Check soil daily and water when top few inches become dry. Adding mulch helps retain moisture.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a soluble fertilizer formulated for vegetables. Tomatoes are heavy feeders.
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Move bagged tomatoes under cover or indoors if cold weather or heavy rain is forecast to avoid fruit damage.
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At end of season, remove all plant debris and reuse grow bags or compost as appropriate. Disinfect reusable grow bags with a 10% bleach solution.
The Benefits of Grow Bags for Tomatoes
Compared to growing tomatoes in the ground or in containers, grow bags offer the following advantages:
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Lightweight and portable for moving plants to optimum conditions
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Good drainage and air flow for healthy roots and reduced disease
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Ability to control and improve growing medium quality
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Convenient for gardens with poor soil or short growing seasons
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Allow growing in small spaces not suitable for in-ground planting
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Earlier harvests since soil warms faster than ground in spring
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Less bending and kneeling required compared to garden planting and care
With the right growing conditions, tomatoes grown in grow bags can yield as well or better than tomatoes grown in the ground. Their portability, drainage and convenience make grow bags an ideal way to grow tomatoes on a deck, patio or balcony. Follow the recommendations in this article and you’ll be harvesting bountiful, beautiful tomatoes from your grow bags.
Do tomatoes do well in grow bags?
Yes, as long as they are watered regularly and given adequate space and sunshine. Though they don’t produce as much as tomato plants grown in the ground, they still do pretty well!
What if you live in an area like mine that has a lot of early blight? Your tomatoes might do better in grow bags than in the garden!
Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Grow Bags
There are two main classes of tomatoes: determinate and indeterminate.
Determinate tomatoes grow more like a bush, rather than sprawling vines. What this means is that these types will be more compact and less likely to get a mess and fall over.
Indeterminate tomatoes are high-producing, however, they can easily take over the space that they are planted in. They need consistent pruning, training and trellising to keep them contained. Indeterminate tomatoes are best used in the garden rather than grow bags.
Tomatoes need adequate direct sunlight for strong growth and prolific fruit production. Find the sunniest location near your home and place your grow bags here. Ideally, this location should have 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Tomatoes are very heavy feeders, especially once they start to develop fruit. Make sure to fertilize every 2-3 weeks with an organic fertilizer. I prefer organic fish emulsion. It’s stinky, but it works really well!.
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The Homesteading RDs Product Picks |
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Neptunes Harvest Organic Fish Fertilizer 36-Oz Bottle Organic, highly nutritional protein fertilizer made with naturally occurring enzymes present in fresh north atlantic fish. Slowly breaks down into basic compounds when added to soil and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria. Buy On Amazon |
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Potting soil is light and drains well, which means we will need to water frequently. If there’s no rain in the forecast, water daily. If it’s exceptionally hot out, water twice daily to keep the roots cool.
The next section has some options for organic mulch that you can put on top of your grow bags to help them keep water in. If you are busy or travel a lot, a drip irrigation system can be a life-saver!.
Tomatoes are very susceptible to soil-borne disease such as early blight. To prevent this, prune off any branches that are touching the soil with clean scissors or garden shears. Watering the soil directly instead of the foliage is a great step to keeping disease at bay.
Lastly, putting mulch on top of the soil can help keep soil bugs from getting on the leaves. My favorite choice is organic straw from a nearby farm. If you cut your own firewood like we do, you’ll have a lot of natural wood chips to choose from. If you don’t have access to these options, check out the products below.
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The Homesteading RDs Product Picks |
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This organic hardwod bark mulch is a great, natural option to retain moisture and reduce disease when using growing bags. Add a 2″ layer to the top of each growing bag. Buy On Amazon |
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Double F Farms Premium Organic 100% Natural Straw Premium Organic 100% All Natural Wheat Straw thats perfect for mulching growing bags, or anywhere in the garden! Add a 2″ layer to the top of each growing bag. Buy On Amazon |
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Tomatoes are vigorous growers, and not all of its growth is good. Tomatoes are prone to growing “suckers,” or new stems that will not flower or produce fruit. If left in place, they will “suck” resources from the plant while crowding out the producing stems.
Keep an eye out for suckers that grow between the main stem and the leaf crotches. If you catch them early, it’s easy to pull them off;
Grow Bags For Tomatoes, How and Why in 2020!
FAQ
What are the best grow bags for tomatoes?
What size grow bag is best for tomato plants?
How many tomatoes can I grow in a 5-gallon bag?
Is a 5-gallon grow bag good for tomatoes?