Questions about Vegetables

16 years ago

Hello, As many people who ask questions I am fairly new to vegetable gardening. I live in Zone 7, I have been planting for a few years now in small area 12' X 8' (96 sq. ft), each year the size of my harvest varies. Last year was one of my worst years. I do a compost pile in for the soil each year. I have a few questions that I was hoping could me answered.

1. I love tomatoes, I am thinking of putting my tomatoe plants into Pots this year to allow me to maximize the limited size for smaller size crops. Any feedback on what size, type of pot, species of tomatoe should be used for this application.

2. I usually start my planting around May 9th or 10th each year. I was curious if there is anything that should be done or applied to the soil in April to prep it before planting vegetables.

3. I am very interested in incorporating Herbs into my garden this year, or just grow them in a planters. Any specific size requirements that I should look for with the pots as far as depth, and I've heard mixed answers when it comes to bunching herbs together or planting them apart.

Thanks,

Keith

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Comments (5)

daylilyfanatic4
16 years ago
Hello, I'm not that experienced myself but I think I can answer some of your questions.

1) Tomatoes can easily be grown in pots. The large indeterminate varieties need large pots with some support system smaller determinate varieties can have slightly smaller pots and need less support. The pot should be at least 10" deep and 12" in diameter but bigger is better.

I would suggest Rutgers, Sophies Choice and Marglobe as great pot varieties (all determinate) and the "patio tomatoes" work well too.

2) Adding compost before planting is a good idea but other then that your good. However I think your planting way to late. Sure the warm season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans etc... should go in the but you could plant cool season crops much earlier. For example I live in zone 6 which is colder than you and I've had peas in the ground since the end of March. I have lettuce spinach arugula and broccoli all planted now and a lot of it with the exception of the broccoli will be finished before it's time to plant. In May I will plant warm season crops and In August I will start lettuce spinach peas etc.... When the warm season crops are done I'll plant those and overwinter ones started in september.

3) It depends on the herb. Things like Oregano and Mint are perennial and should be planted separately. Basil gets big but could be planted with other herbs if you give them room. Cilantro needs cool weather unlike Basil so they can't go together but plants with similar needs can be planted in bunches.
organicislandfarmer
16 years ago
I have my herbs in 2 gal planters that are decorative, when it gets too hot for the type I move it inside, makes my house smell herby and nice. I dont have regular house plants, just herbs and lettuces growing in my windows inside.
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dianazone5
16 years ago
I am in zone 5 and I planted several herbs last year some together and some separate all in flower pots of various sizes.
My sage, thyme, oregano and chives came back to life after being left out all winter. Oregano and basil were planted together and the oregano has taken over the whole pot including the area where the basil was last year.
Rosemary needs its own large pot. It gets huge and will choke out anything else that is in there.
I have read that basil planed with tomatoes will enhance the tomato flavor, so I am trying that this year.
keithsly
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you all for the advice! I'll post my results at the end of the season!
Donna
16 years ago
I have planted tomatoes in pots in years past. My most successful varieties were Better Bush and Bush Goliath. They made small tomatoes, but large enough for slicing and sandwiches. Very tasty too. Put them in the biggest pots you can manage, a minimum of 12 inches in diameter, but 18 to 24 inches is better. Work slow release fertilizer into the potting soil at planting time AND feed them with liquid fertilizer every other week. Water is supremely important. In my summer heat, missing one day is disastrous. The good thing about tomatoes in pots is the lack of soilborne disease. I have picked tomatoes for Thanksgiving dinner many times. Peppers and eggplants do well in pots with these same guidelines too.