They’re more colorful, juicy, and stronger-tasting than the ones you can buy in stores, which, let’s be honest, are sometimes almost anemic.
But how do you grow tomatoes in hanging baskets? What do you need to do to have your own bumper crop of juicy garden food?
To help you understand how to grow tomatoes in a hanging basket, we’ve put together this guide.
A hanging tomato basket overflowing with juicy red cherry tomatoes makes a fun addition to any outdoor space. The dwarf, cascading habit of Tumbling Tom tomatoes is perfectly suited for hanging baskets. With just a bit of effort, you can create a stunning and bountiful display.
What is Tumbling Tom?
Tumbling Tom is a type of dwarf tomato ideal for container gardening. It’s an indeterminate cherry tomato variety with vines that grow long and trailing instead of upright
The small, sweet tomatoes continuously form on dangling vines from midsummer into fall. As the vines lengthen, the weight causes them to tumble attractively over the edges of hanging baskets and other containers
Tumbling Tom produces clusters of rounded, red cherry-type fruits about 1-2 inches wide on vigorous vines. The tomatoes have a sweet, juicy flavor perfect for snacking. Their dense foliage provides good sun protection for the fruits.
With its cascading habit and high yields, Tumbling Tom is one of the best varieties for hanging tomato baskets. Other good cascading types include Tumbler, Tumbling Tiger, and Evergreen. But Tumbling Tom is probably the most popular.
Setting Up the Hanging Basket
To grow Tumbling Tom tomatoes in a hanging basket:
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Choose a sturdy hanging basket at least 12 inches wide and 8-10 inches deep. Smaller may be too cramped for tomato roots.
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Use a high quality potting mix meant for vegetables and add in a slow-release fertilizer pellet per package instructions.
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Ensure the basket has good drainage holes. Place a saucer underneath to catch excess water.
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Hang the basket in a sunny location protected from strong winds. tomatoes need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Planting Tumbling Tom Seedlings
Tumbling Tom and other cascading tomatoes are usually sold as young seedlings or transplant starts. Look for short, stocky plants about 4-6 inches tall that are just beginning to vine.
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Carefully remove the seedling from its pot or cell pack and loosen any circling roots.
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Make a hole in the potting mix and insert the tomato plant. Firm the mix gently around the roots.
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Plant 3-4 seedlings spaced evenly around the basket. Place them low and tilted outward so vines will spill over the edges.
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Water thoroughly until it drains from the basket bottom. Allow to drain fully before hanging up the basket.
Caring for Hanging Tomato Plants
To keep your Tumbling Tom tomatoes healthy and productive:
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Water daily, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy wet. Add water until it runs from the drainage holes.
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Fertilize every 1-2 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer mixed per label instructions.
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Prune off any shoots or leaves below the basket to promote upward growth.
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Pinch off suckers (new stems sprouting between branches) to encourage fruiting instead of leafy growth.
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Add a trellis or tomato cage for vines to grow on if desired. Otherwise, allow them to tumble freely.
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Monitor for pests like aphids, whiteflies, cutworms, and hornworms. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap sprays if infestations occur.
Harvesting Tumbling Tom Tomatoes
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Begin harvesting tomatoes once they reach full red color and their glossy skins feel firm.
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Pick tomatoes by gently twisting them off the vine. Be careful not to damage vines.
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Harvest ripe tomatoes regularly to encourage further fruit production. Leaving fruits on the vines slows ripening.
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Expect about 1-2 pounds of cherry tomatoes per well cared for plant.
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Store freshly picked tomatoes at room temperature out of direct sun. Enjoy them within a week for best flavor.
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Wash tomatoes just before eating. Enjoy them fresh in salads, salsas, sauces, skewers, or as healthy snacks.
Top Tips for Success
Follow these tips to get the most out of Tumbling Tom in hanging baskets:
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Use the largest basket possible for ample root room. At least 12 inches wide is ideal.
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Add supports like hoops and strings for vines to climb on and prevent breakage.
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Situate baskets where they will get full sun at least 6 hours daily.
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Keep soil consistently moist. Water at the base avoiding wetting leaves.
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Stake or tie up any stray vines that escape the basket to keep plants tidy.
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Pinch off lowerleaves and shoots so all growth comes from the top.
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Prune back wayward vines as needed to encourage fruiting over leafy growth.
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Feed plants weekly or biweekly with a tomato fertilizer or fish emulsion.
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Rotate baskets occasionally so all sides get even sun exposure.
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Harvest ripe tomatoes every 2-3 days to keep plants productive.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Growing tomatoes in hanging baskets comes with a few challenges. Here are some potential issues and solutions:
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Leggy vines with few fruits: This indicates insufficient light. Move baskets to the sunniest available spot.
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Wilting, drooping leaves: Plants need more water. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.
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Yellowing lower leaves: This can signal nitrogen deficiency. Increase fertilizer or replant in new potting mix.
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Plants stunted and lacking vigor: Root-bound plants need repotting into larger baskets. Or add new potting soil to existing basket.
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Whiteflies or aphids: Remove pests by hand or use insecticidal soap. Spray undersides of leaves thoroughly.
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Blossom end rot: Prevent by keeping soil moisture consistent. Mulch helps. Cut off damaged fruits promptly.
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Mold or mildew on leaves: Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage when watering. Remove damaged leaves promptly.
Inspiring Design Ideas
A hanging basket overflowing with tumbling tomato vines makes a gorgeous focal point. Here are some fun design ideas:
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Group 3 matching baskets at different heights on a tall plant stand for a tower effect.
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Flank your front entryway or back porch with identical tomato baskets on either side.
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Create a wall of produce by hanging baskets side-by-side across a sunny wall or fence.
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Combine different dwarf tomato varieties like red, yellow, and orange in one basket for a colorful look.
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Pair tomato baskets with cascading flowers like petunias orCalibrachoa for a bountiful look.
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Let vines grow freely or train them around hoops for a living tomato wreath.
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Place baskets along a deck or balcony railing so vines can spill over the edges.
Let your imagination run wild when designing with Tumbling Tom hanging tomato baskets!
Enjoy Months of Sweet Cherry Tomatoes
Tumbling Tom tomato plants are sure to be a hit in your hanging baskets, providing an abundance of snack-sized fruits all season long. Their dwarf habit keeps plants neat and manageable. With minimal care, you can grow tomatoes on your porch, patio, or anywhere you want a splash of fruitful color.
Planted in a hanging basket, Tumbling Tom tomatoes offer maximum yield for the space. Train those vining cascades for optimal charm and productivity. Your basket will soon become a focal point overflowing with juicy, home-grown tomatoes.
Sow Your Seeds
In the UK, you will have to grow your seeds indoors. February is the best month to start.
Because tomatoes like a lot of light and a damp, humid place to grow, an LED-lit propagator will work best.
Sow more than one seed in each plug, and as the plants grow, thin them out, leaving only the strongest seedlings.
Prepare Your Compost
Potting soil will do the trick here. Make sure it’s good quality.
Preparing the compost can be as simple as checking you have enough to fit in your basket.
A 35-cm basket can hold just under 8 liters of compost, and a 40-liter bag of potting soil can fill up to five baskets.
There are a few optional extras at this step, too. Each of these will give your tomatoes an easier time:
- Gel that keeps water in: This will let water escape more slowly than usual, keeping your plants moist.
- Rotted leaf mould: A natural alternative to the above.
- Slow-release fertilizer: To give the soil a steady flow of nutrients while your tomatoes grow
TUMBLING TOM HANGING BASKET TRANSPLANT FOR MARKET and A COUPLE TIPS!
FAQ
How many tumbling tom tomatoes in a hanging basket?
How to plant tumbling tomatoes in hanging baskets?
Do tumbling tom tomatoes need support?
Do you need to pinch out tumbling tom tomatoes?
Can you grow tumbling Tom in a hanging basket?
Even one small plant grown in a hanging basket or window box will provide you with a good crop of tomatoes during the summer. Tumbling Tom is a small, prolific tomato plant that’s ideal when you don’t have much space. In this article, we will talk about how to grow and care for these tomatoes.
Are tumbling Tom tomatoes good for hanging baskets?
Once in the right environment, Tumbling Tom tomatoes will charm you with their profuse blooms, setting the stage for a successful harvest. Tumbling Tom tomatoes are a popular cherry tomato variety known for their cascading growth habit, making them ideal for hanging baskets and containers.
Can you grow tumbling Tom Tomatoes upside down?
Tomatoes also contain lycopene. Research is being done on lycopene right now for its cancer-preventing elements. You can grow your Tumbling Tom tomato in a container or a hanging basket. They’re also a terrific variety to plant in an upside-down tomato planter.
How do you take care of tumbling Tom Tomatoes?
Taking care of Tumbling Tom Tomatoes is the same as any other tomato plant. Except like any plant in a hanging basket you will HAVE to water more frequently like daily. Maybe even twice a day depending on the weather. Garlic can be easily grown in small spaces! Read this post to learn how to grow garlic! I have the tumblers right by the door.