| Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan | | | | fine mesh and fill the bottom 3 inches with small |
| "Oh, but I haven't got enough room", you might say, | | | | rocks to help with drainage |
| but there is a method of growing container tomatoes | | | | 4. Prepare the soil so that it is the right mix for |
| in very small areas that is perfect for even the | | | | tomato plants and it will probably need 8-8-8 fertilizer, |
| smallest courtyard or patio. What I am talking about | | | | organic compost and check for other nutrients as |
| is growing container tomatoes by the espalier | | | | well |
| method. This means growing plants up a trellis or | | | | 5. Plant the tomato seedling in the pot up to the top |
| support system and spreading the branches out along | | | | 4 to 6 leaves (yes, that is right as the stem will grow |
| it. In a courtyard the trellis is placed up against the | | | | roots and be a strong plant to support the weight of |
| wall and the tomato plant grown along it. | | | | the tomato tree) |
| Why grow espalier tomatoes? | | | | 6. During the growth of the plant spread the |
| Growing espalier tomatoes in courtyards or on patios | | | | branches left and right and tie to the trellis (if the pot |
| has several benefits and the most popular is that | | | | has been placed at the end of the trellis, train the |
| they can be grown by taking up only a small amount | | | | branches one way along the trellis). When tying to |
| of space that is available. Another benefit of growing | | | | the trellis use 2 inch stips of rage or old nylon |
| this way is that by spreading the branches out the | | | | stockings as they do not cut through the soft |
| fruit receives maximum sunlight. The warmth from | | | | tomato stems. |
| the wall also speeds up the ripening time of the fruit. | | | | 7. Prune unnecessary branches coming from the |
| When using the espalier system it also makes tending | | | | V-joints so that the branches that you kept have |
| the plant easier because all the branches are | | | | room to grow. |
| accessible for control of pests and diseases. As the | | | | All other requirements of growing a strong tomato |
| branches are spread out and the leaves get a better | | | | plant apply to one growing in a container, whether |
| chance to dry, there is less chance of blight and | | | | espaliered or not. It will need fertilizer, and organic |
| other diseases taking a hold on the plant. | | | | compost. One step not to miss that is very |
| Prepare for growing the container tomato. | | | | important is to water the plant every day, preferably |
| The job is to decide on a nice sunny position. Healthy | | | | early morning. So when you have got this all set up, |
| tomato plants need 6 to 8 hours sunlight. Once the | | | | sit back and enjoy the growing process and most of |
| location is decided then the next steps can take | | | | all those delicious tomatoes at the end of the |
| place: | | | | growing season. |
| 1. Decide on the trellis style, locate and attach it to | | | | Why not sign up to our FREE 10 part mini-course |
| the wall | | | | 'Luscious Tomatoes'. Growing tomatoes requires |
| 2. Have a pot that is a minimum of 12 inches | | | | knowledge on planting correctly, pests, blight control, |
| (preferably 18 inches) across at the top or even | | | | watering and other issues so visit our website at |
| bigger | | | | Grow Tomatoes Successfully for more valuable |
| 3. Cover the holes on the bottom of the pot with | | | | information. |