Hi, I'm not sure where you are located. Here in Florida, I have my tomatos in a place that gets about the same amount of direct sunlight. So far, the tomato plants are growing and look good. I have also grown under lights, and while it is OK, my choice would be to try the sunlighted area first, even with reduced direct sunlight. I found 10 gallon tote boxes at wal-mart and other places selling for around $4 dollars each, and have put together some grow boxes using them. I think that 5 gallon pails would work fine, but with the 10 gallon tote boxes, I was able to add an inner liner that holds the potting mix a few inches above the bottom of the tote box. This provides a resivoir space. The idea is to have a self watering grower. I only have to water the plants every 3 to 4 days. The inner liner is made from a good brand of landscape fabric. I guess some landscape fabric is very thin and cheap, but the stuff I am using is tough. The fabric is attached around the top edge of the tote box so that when filled with potting mix (not dirt), the bottom sits in several inches of water. An over-flow hole prevents overfilling, so you just add water until it starts to come out of the over-flow hole that is cut into the tub several inches above the lowest point of the inner fabric liner. The idea came from reviewing construction of homemade earth boxes which have become pretty popular. The commercialy made earthbox growers can cost roughly $35 to $45 dollars or so, and I figured I would need a dozen or so because I live in a retirement park and can not have a regular garden, but can have as many potted plants as I wish. Cost of the grower I buit is about $5 dollars when you add the cost of the liner material. It came in a roll of 3 ft X 50 ft for $10 bucks. A 3ft X 3ft size is plenty for each box, so I have made 7 grow boxes so far, and still have plenty for future use. Well, if you care to take a peek at the grow box I am describing, just follow the link below. Good luck, and let me know if you like the idea. chuck

Here is a link that might be useful: An option to using 5 gal buckets

Hi Chuck!

Thanks for posting so quickly. I am in Illinois, so I am not sure if our morning sun is as warm as yours. However, I really do like your idea with the planters. I'm really thinking on giving it a try! How many tomato plants can you get in those 10 gallon totes? I am assuming 2, but is it possible to get 3?

Thanks so much!

Well, I only have one plant in each grower because the tomato plants need a lot of room. I don't think I would try more. See what others think. chuck

Crowding most vegetable plants in containers is not a good idea. Two tomatoes in a 10 gal container should be max. Try 3 peppers. Unless planting a really dwarf variety, then 4 might work. You'll have sturdier plants and likely better yields. The old "less is more"axiom. I have some flower bulbs in those 10 gal (and some 18 gal) totes. So, have a good idea of what they look like. BTW the bulbs wintered over nicely.

I have a friend who put 3 tomatoes in a 5-gal bucket and they looked pathetic -- weak, not much yield and requiring watering 2-3 times a day in hot spells.

Thanks so much for all of you help!