Building tomato boxes

10 years ago

I have access to tons of pallets (HT, so safe for growing) and was going to build boxes for my tomatoes. I was hoping to put 2 per box, simply for ease of building. The pallet slats are,30" so I was going to make the boxes 15x30 and around 16" deep. According to an online calculator that's over 20 gallons so in theory should be big enough. Would a 15x30x16 box be plenty big for 2 plants? Thanks!

Featured Answer

digdirt2

10 years ago

Depends on the variety of plant, how you support them, and how much pruning you do. As a very general guideline most indeterminate variety plants require 3' spacing and for container size most recommend 10-15 gallons MINIMUM. Some of the really big cherry tomato plants need even more.

Can they be done in less? Yes, but with more work by you unless you make them self-watering and more stress for the plants so potentially less production.

Now if you go with determinate varieties you could probably get by with 2 plants per box and with dwarf varieties maybe even 3 plants. I do 2 determinates in 15 gallon containers but all my indeterminate varieties go in 20 gallons each.

Also keep in mind that the mix you fill them with is just as important as the size. Soil-less potting mix (not soil) is recommended for all containers.

Dave

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Comments (10)

David Scruggs
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks. They're all indeterminates so maybe I will just make individual boxes, unless there's compelling evidence not to.
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Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
10 years ago
IMO a 15" x 30" x 16" has enough soil volume (27 dry gallons ) for two plants of any variety of tomatoes, in terms of soil volume.

However the challenge is supporting and managing the top. The most practical way, I think , would be building in some stakes (4 of them , secured to the side by screws) . With indeterminant you would want those stakes/poles to be about 5ft tall.

MY suggestion is to make a separate box of 15" x 15" x 16" per plant. Each box will have about 13 gallons capacity.

This way the headroom can be managed better by spacing the individual boxes further apart.JMO

Sey
David Scruggs thanked Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
David Scruggs
Original Author
10 years ago
I have a box built that's 16x14x20 and it is OK so far. I'll just build a few more, well 5 more, and hope for the best haha
Mitch Everson
10 years ago
Good idea... I have plenty of pallets also, and have HT table tops... I'm going to build some 22x22's soon...
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
10 years ago
Well, when the pallets are free, why not. I like wooden planters much better than plastic. I have made some from cedar lumber, that are sold at 70% off (@HD) as cull lumber. It take time, but I don't mind it I am a wood pecker: :):

I have a table saw and few other simple wood working tools.

Sey
David Scruggs thanked Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
David Scruggs
Original Author
10 years ago
All I have is a jigsaw and a cordless drill haha. Work with what ya got...
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
10 years ago
You can cut with jigsaw too, if you know how to work with it without breaking the blade. I would get a cheap circular saw. I have one that is more than 20 years old. I think it is Skill Saw brand.
David Scruggs
Original Author
10 years ago
Yeah, I've been cutting with the jigsaw for this project. I would buy a circular saw but I might not need a saw again for a very long time lol. If I build more boxes next year I will definitely invest in one though.
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
10 years ago
You could put many plants in that box, but altogether they won't grow much bigger than a single plant would. Minimum spacings apply to getting the full potential out of each plant.