Did you know that hanging baskets are a great way to grow tomatoes if you don’t have much room or want to try something new in your kitchen garden?
If you pick the right kind of tomato and follow a few easy steps, you can grow a lot of them on your balcony or deck without taking up any space.
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Cherry tomatoes grown in hanging baskets make for a fun and productive way to grow tomatoes, even if you only have a small space. The sight of vibrant red cherry tomatoes cascading over the edges of a hanging basket adds visual interest to any outdoor space Beyond looks, growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets comes with some unique advantages as well as considerations. In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know to get a bountiful harvest of sweet cherry tomatoes from hanging baskets
Why Grow Cherry Tomatoes in Hanging Baskets?
Growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets offers some great benefits:
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Hanging baskets allow you to make use of vertical space This opens up new possibilities for growing tomatoes even if you have limited ground space
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Hanging baskets keep ripening cherry tomatoes off the ground and away from soil-borne diseases and pests.
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It’s fun! The cascading vines and abundant fruit of hanging cherry tomatoes provide visual interest and curb appeal.
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You can position hanging baskets in just the right spot to maximize sun exposure for your tomato plants.
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The confined space of a hanging basket helps keep cherry tomato plants from sprawling out of control.
Choosing Cherry Tomato Varieties for Hanging Baskets
The best cherry tomato varieties for hanging baskets are compact, disease-resistant, and reliable producers of sweet fruit. Here are some top choices:
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Tumbler – A very compact, cascading cherry tomato that thrives in hanging baskets. Produces abundant clusters of sweet, red fruit.
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Tumbling Tom – Another great cascading type that bears prolific amounts of bright yellow cherry tomatoes.
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Sweet Million – Extremely sweet, red fruit on vigorous, disease-resistant plants. A proven winner.
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Sun Gold – Intensely sweet, tangy orange cherry tomatoes on compact vines. A favorite for container growing.
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Super Sweet 100 – Very sweet, red cherry tomatoes that keep producing all season long. Does well in hanging baskets.
No matter which variety you choose, look for compact, determinate cherry tomatoes. These will grow well confined to a hanging basket, unlike sprawling indeterminate varieties.
Getting the Right Container
You have options when it comes to picking out a hanging basket for cherry tomatoes. Classic wire hanging baskets lined with coir or moss work well. Or you can use an upside-down planter specifically designed for growing tomatoes. Here are some tips for choosing the right hanging container:
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Select a basket at least 12-14 inches wide and 10-12 inches deep. This gives tomato roots plenty of room.
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Make sure the container has good drainage holes. Growing media should be able to dry out adequately between waterings.
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For upside-down planters, choose a bucket or pot made of light-colored plastic instead of metal or thin fabric. These help prevent roots from overheating.
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Include a water reservoir in upside-down planters to help provide a steady supply of water to plants.
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Opt for a hanging basket or upside-down planter with sturdy hooks that can support the weight of the container, vines, and fruit.
Using the Right Growing Media
The growing medium you use in your hanging cherry tomato basket makes a big difference. Here are some guidelines:
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Avoid regular potting mix – It is too lightweight and dries out too quickly for tomatoes.
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Use compost-enriched potting mix – Compost helps provide nutrients and retain moisture.
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Consider coco coir – Coco coir has good water-holding capacity but allows oxygen to reach roots.
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Add vermiculite or perlite – These help aerate soilless media and prevent compaction.
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Mix in slow-release fertilizer – Look for a fertilizer formulated specifically for tomatoes or vegetables. This will provide steady nourishment.
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Line baskets with moss or coco liner – This helps keep growing media from washing out through basket holes.
Caring for Hanging Cherry Tomatoes
Growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets requires a bit more care and attention than tomatoes planted in the ground. Here are some tips to keep your hanging tomato plants healthy and productive:
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Water daily, even twice a day in hot weather. Check soil moisture frequently.
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Feed plants biweekly with a water-soluble tomato fertilizer.
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Prune back vines to encourage fuller growth within the confined basket space.
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Pinch off suckers – these unwanted shoots sap energy.
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Tie vines carefully as needed to basket wires or upside-down hanger for support.
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Move basket around to follow sunlight as conditions change.
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Provide wind protection if needed to prevent basket from swaying.
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Watch for pests like aphids; take prompt action if detected.
Harvesting and Storing Cherry Tomatoes
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Harvest tomatoes when fully colored but still firm. Leaving vine-ripened tomatoes attached longer boosts flavor.
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Pick tomatoes frequently to encourage more fruit production. Don’t let ripe fruit linger on the vines.
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Gently twist cherry tomatoes off vines instead of pulling to avoid damaging plants.
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Store freshly picked cherry tomatoes at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
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Wash tomatoes just before eating them, not before storing.
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Enjoy harvested tomatoes within a couple days for best quality and flavor.
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Consider preserving excess ripe cherry tomatoes by canning tomato sauce or salsa.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets comes with a unique set of potential challenges. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
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Slow or lack of fruit set – This is often caused by low temperatures. Try moving basket to warmer location.
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Wilting/drooping vines – Check soil moisture and water if needed. Try moving basket out of intense sun.
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Leaf spot diseases – Improve air circulation. Remove affected leaves promptly. Use drip irrigation to keep foliage dry.
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Blossom end rot – Usually caused by inconsistent watering leading to calcium deficiency. Keep soil moisture even.
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Pests – Aphids, whiteflies, and other pests can build up quickly. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil right away.
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Vine decline – Older cherry tomato vines deteriorate. Prune back and fertilize to encourage new growth.
Enjoying the Rewards
Growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets requires some extra time and effort compared to a garden plot. But the payoff is well worth it. The sight of a vibrant hanging basket overflowing with tangy-sweet cherry tomatoes will bring you joy all season long. And you’ll be able to harvest buckets of flavorful tomatoes for salads, snacks, sauces, and more – even in a small space. Follow this guide and you’ll be on your way to a bountiful harvest of garden-fresh cherry tomatoes from your hanging baskets!
Why Grow Tomatoes In Hanging Baskets?
I think everyone should be able to grow their own food here at HeathGlen Farm, even if they don’t have a garden or any land.
You can grow your own tomatoes on a small deck or balcony without much trouble. A hanging planter or basket is the best way to do it without taking up too much room.
Advantages of growing tomatoes in hanging baskets include:
- They are at eye level, so you don’t have to bend down to pick or water them.
- Hanging baskets can be easily moved around if need be.
- Good air circulation.
- More difficult for disease, fungus and bugs to spread.
- It looks great when a mature tomato plant falls over in a hanging basket.
Sun Gold cherry tomatoes hanging in clusters.
Best Containers for Hanging Baskets
There are many different types of hanging planters types marketed for growing tomatoes.
In the past few years, the “upside-down” or “topsy turvy” planter has become very popular. However, there are some problems with this style of hanging basket.
Please read this article about the topsy-turvy planter before you use it with tomatoes if you want to try the upside-down type of planter.
In the garden, most people choose a strong (sturdy is important!) metal basket with a strong chain and hook that can hold the weight of a full tomato plant.
Here are some things you should look for in a hanging basket meant for tomato growing:
- At least 12″ wide
- At least 12″ deep.
- Has at least one drainage hole.
- Can support a good bit of weight.
- Landscape fabric or coco coir on the inside to keep the soil inside.
Sturdy metal hanging baskets
Hanging Tomatoes – How To Make A Tomato Hanging Basket – Grow Upside Down Tomatoes ANYWHERE! #Tomato
FAQ
Can cherry tomatoes be grown in hanging baskets?
Do cherry tomato plants need sun or shade?
Can cherry tomatoes get too much sun?
Do hanging tomato plants really work?
Can you grow cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket?
Plant up a hanging basket with a tumbling variety of tomatoes and you’ll be cropping delicious, cherry tomatoes for weeks.
What tomatoes grow well in a hanging basket?
Tumbling Tom: Both the red and yellow tomatoes thrive in hanging baskets. This heavy cropping variety produces lots of sweet cherry tomatoes. Maskotka: Another heavy-cropping variety that will provide you with juicy, deep red fruits throughout the summer.
How do you hang a tomato plant?
Visit a local hardware department for wall anchors and hanging gear to support the hanging tomato plant. The best tomato plants for hanging are varieties of cherry and grape tomatoes. These small-fruited plants hold up to container growing much better than large slicing tomatoes and their long, ropey vines trail over container edges.
Can a tumbler tomato grow in a hanging basket?
The ‘Tumbler’ tomato produces its entire crop of small fruits in one go over a 4-6 week period and it has a cascading growth pattern that makes it perfect for hanging baskets. Other small varieties that would work well for growing tomatoes in hanging baskets include: Tiny Tim: usually doesn’t grow past 18″. Determinate.