Grow Delicious Hanging Tomato Plants With These Helpful Tips

Hanging tomato plants are a great way to save space and grow tasty tomatoes on a patio, balcony or small garden. The cascading vines look beautiful and produce abundant fruit throughout the summer. If you’re looking to grow your own hanging tomato plants this year, follow these helpful tips for success.

Choose the Right Tomato Variety

When selecting tomato seeds or starter plants opt for compact, container-friendly varieties bred for hanging baskets. Some top choices include

• Tumbling Tom These small, grape-type tomatoes grow in long strands perfect for hanging baskets. The fruits are sweet and juicy.

• Tomato Lizzano A trailing variety that produces masses of small, round red fruits It’s very prolific and disease resistant.

• Peardrops: Uniquely-shaped yellow fruits that grow in clusters on medium-sized vines. Perfect for small spaces.

• Baby Roma: Compact bushy plants yield tasty plum-shaped tomatoes in abundance on short vines.

• Micro Tom: Extremely tiny plants and fruits, Micro Tom is ideal for very confined areas like balconies.

Invest in a Good Hanging Basket

A sturdy hanging basket with drainage holes is essential for growing tomatoes. Look for baskets around 12-14 inches wide and 10-12 inches deep to provide enough soil capacity and root space. Darker colored baskets absorb less heat. Line baskets with coconut fiber or sphagnum moss to help retain moisture.

Use a Humus-Rich, Nutrient-Packed Soil Mix

Tomatoes thrive in fertile, well-draining soil. Aim for a mix containing compost, peat moss or coco coir, perlite or vermiculite and organic fertilizer. Potting mixes specially formulated for vegetables or tomatoes deliver the nutrients these heavy feeders need.

Give Plants a Nutrient Boost

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so they benefit from supplemental fertilizer for optimal growth and fruiting in containers. Slow release granular fertilizers provide a steady supply of nutrients. You can also use liquid fertilizers weekly once the plants start flowering and setting fruit. Focus on formulations higher in potassium and phosphorous than nitrogen.

Plant Seeds at the Right Depth

When planting seeds, sow them 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep in the center of the hanging basket. Tomatoes need warmth and moisture to germinate, so don’t sow too shallow. Maintain a soil temperature of 75-90°F and keep seeds consistently moist until they sprout.

Allow Plenty of Room for Growth

Whether you start with seeds or transplants, allow enough space between plants for vines to spread out. Plant one robust variety like Tumbling Tom centrally, or cluster 3-4 smaller varieties around the edges. Space plants at least 12 inches apart.

Hang Baskets in a Sunny Spot

Tomatoes need a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow their best and produce abundant fruit. Southern or western exposures that receive sun throughout the day are ideal. Avoid spots that get too hot in peak summer afternoons by providing some afternoon shade.

Water Well and Often

Check hanging baskets daily and water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Tomatoes are very sensitive to drought stress. Allow excess water to drain fully from drainage holes. Adding water retaining polymer crystals to the soil can help reduce watering frequency.

Provide Sturdy Support

Install strong hooks, chains and hangers to securely support the weight of mature plants and fruits. Tom

Prune and Train Vines Carefully

Gently prune long vines and train them around the edges of the basket, removing suckers and leaves shading fruits. This opens up the plant for airflow and light exposure. Be careful not to over-prune.

Monitor for Pests and Diseases

Insect pests like whiteflies, aphids and tomato hornworms can swiftly damage container plants. Prevent problems by applying kaolin clay or horticultural oils and periodically spraying insecticidal soap or neem oil. Catch diseases like blight early by removing affected leaves immediately.

Pick Fruits Frequently

Harvest tomatoes when they reach peak color and flavor. Leaving overly ripe fruits on plants can lead to splitting and spoilage. Pick every two to three days for best production. Snipping rather than pulling reduces risk of vine damage.

Add Support Netting if Needed

If vines start to droop significantly with the weight of fruits, add mesh netting around the lower half of the basket for extra support. Stake the netting to keep it stretched tightly in place.

Bring Plants Indoors in Fall

At the end of the season, hanging tomato plants can be brought inside and grown as houseplants through winter. Prune plants by half, transition them slowly to indoor lighting conditions and continue watering and fertilizing.

With the right varieties and care, it’s easy to grow prolific tomato plants in hanging baskets. You’ll enjoy fresh, homegrown tomatoes all season long without sacrificing valuable garden space. Try adding a vertical dimension to your planting beds or containers with these high-yielding hanging tomato plants.