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.
Grow bags are an excellent way to cultivate robust tomato plants in small spaces. When set up properly grow bags provide the light aeration, and drainage that tomatoes need to thrive. This guide covers everything you need to know about selecting, preparing, and caring for tomato plants in grow bags for a bountiful harvest.
Why Use Grow Bags for Tomatoes?
Traditionally tomatoes are grown directly in garden beds. However grow bags offer these key advantages
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Portability to move plants into optimal light and away from pests
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Better drainage and air flow compared to garden soil.
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Avoid soil-borne diseases.
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Easy to care for individual plants’ needs.
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Requires little space – great for patios and balconies.
Grow bags are a neat, tidy way to grow tomatoes anywhere with proper sunlight.
Choosing the Best Grow Bags
Look for these features when selecting grow bags:
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Size: 15-25 gallon capacity recommended for full-sized tomatoes.
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Material: Breathable fabric bags are ideal. Avoid plastic.
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Durability: Thick, reinforced fabric with double-stitched seams.
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Handles: Built-in handles make moving bags easy.
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Drainage: Bags with drainage slits along the sides and bottom.
Good quality fabric grow bags will last for many seasons of use.
Preparing Grow Bags for Planting
Follow these steps to set up your grow bags:
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Locate in full sun – at least 8 hours of direct sun daily.
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Fill bag 1/2 way with high-quality potting mix, not garden soil.
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Add granular organic tomato fertilizer to provide nutrients.
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Finish filling bag 2″ from top edge to leave room for watering.
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Water thoroughly until excess drains out bottom.
Planting Tomato Plants in Grow Bags
Follow this process for planting tomato transplants:
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Choose a compact determinate variety like ‘Celebrity’ or ‘Mountain Spring’.
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Remove lowest leaves and plant deeply so just top leaves show.
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Plant 1 tomato in center of grow bag.
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Pinch off suckers weekly to discourage extra growth.
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Install a tall tomato cage for support when plant is 12″ high.
![Image of tomato planted in a grow bag]
Caring for Tomato Plants in Grow Bags
Proper care is vital for healthy tomato plants and robust harvests:
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Water 1-2 times daily, especially during hot weather.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a tomato fertilizer.
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Monitor for pests like hornworms; remove by hand.
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Prune lower branches and leaves to increase airflow.
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Guide vines upward through cage as plant grows.
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Move bag to optimal sun exposure as needed.
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Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly to encourage more fruiting.
Using Grow Rings for Added Root Space
An optional technique is using a grow ring inserted into the grow bag:
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Locate a rigid plastic pot 1-2 inches shorter than grow bag height.
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Cut off bottom of pot to create a grow ring.
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Fill ring with extra potting mix and compost for roots.
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Plant tomato in center of ring. Roots will grow down into extra soil.
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Water will collect in ring’s soil reservoir.
This gives roots more room to spread out.
![Diagram of grow ring inside a grow bag]
Expected Tomato Yields Per Grow Bag
With proper sunlight and care you can expect:
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1-2 pounds of tomatoes per plant in a 10-15 gallon grow bag.
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2-3 pounds per plant in a 20-25 gallon grow bag.
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Up to 15-20 tomatoes per healthy plant.
Actual harvests depend on tomato variety, bag size, and growing conditions.
Harvesting Ripe Tomatoes from Grow Bags
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Check bags daily once fruits start reddening.
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Gently twist tomatoes to disconnect from vine when ripe.
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Avoid crushing or damaging fruits during harvest.
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Pick tomatoes at their peak ripeness for best flavor.
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Store at 45-50°F for 2-3 weeks.
![Ripe red tomatoes harvested from grow bag plants]
With the right grow bag setup and care, juicy homegrown tomatoes can be grown successfully on patios and balconies. Follow these tomato growing tips in grow bags for optimal results!
When should you put tomato plants in grow bags?
When the soil is above 55 to 60 degrees and the air doesn’t drop below 45 degrees at night is when you should plant tomatoes.
Is it best to grow tomatoes in pots or grow bags?
Grow bags are far superior to pots when growing tomatoes. Pots are heavy, breakable, expensive, and often have poor drainage as well. Pots can also “bake” in the heat, frying your poor tomato plants.
Lastly, grow bags utilize “air pruning” for a healthy root system. When the roots reach the drier soil on the bag’s exterior, the roots stop growing and branch out. Creating an extensive web of healthy roots. In pots, the roots continue to grow and wrap around the pot’s exterior, eventually strangling the tomato plant.
How to Grow Tomatoes in Containers or Grow Bags – Trellis Ideas for Indeterminates
FAQ
Do tomatoes do well in grow bags?
How many tomato plants in a 5 gallon grow bag?
Is a 3 gallon grow bag big enough for tomatoes?
How many times can you use a tomato grow bag?
What is a tomato grow bag?
Tomato Geek takes part in various affiliate programs, meaning purchases through our links may result in a commission for us. Grow bags are an affordable alternative to plastic, ceramic, or clay pots. They are lightweight and easy to move around the garden. No matter what you grow, you can probably grow it in a fabric grow bag.
Can you grow tomatoes in a growing bag?
Follow our step-by-step guide to growing tomatoes in a growing bag. Tomato grow bags make the perfect, easy growing medium for greenhouse tomatoes and outdoor tomatoes. You can either plant the tomatoes directly into the growing bag, or you can try using a growing ring to increase the amount of compost the roots sit in.
How many tomato plants are in a grow bag?
Mostly one normal size or large tomato plant per grow bag. The reason is that the root system of a large tomato plant needs lots of room to develop. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so if you place too many plants in one grow bag, they will compete for nutrients and space. This could result in stunted growth, poor fruit set, and even death.
Can you use tomato feed in a grow bag?
While ready-made grow bags are already packed with nutrients, you can still use specific tomato feed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Prune and pinch out any unwanted side shoots to promote healthy growth and to ensure that the plant’s energy is directed towards fruit production.