Pots and Plants: Nothing cute - No tiny pots - plastic pots work well - at least 14" in diameter. Gallon size plants are meant for success. They can go right into a 14" pot. Smaller size plants will need a least one move up before their final potting.
Timing Is (almost) Everything:
Tomatoes are tender and heat loving plants. It's risky to plant outside before mid-to-late May. "Harden off" plants fresh from the garden center by giving them gradually increasing time in their soon to be unshelted growing environment.
Down and Dirty:
"Plant deep" with up to 6" of the stem tucked into the soil. Tap the plant out of the container. Gently loosen the roots and if necessary vertically score plant sides. Jeni recommends a mix of half potting soil and half decent outside dirt (or bagged topsoil).
Keep them growing - can mix in a time release fertilizer at planting time. Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Jeni uses a diluted liquid fertilizer (1 tsp/gallon of water) each time she waters. Liquid seaweed and fish emulsion products are effective. She also uses a mineral based organic product such as Yum Yum or Grow Power once a month. Speaking of watering, how much and how often? Water when the surface is dry and always water from the top. By the end of summer you may be watering twice a day.
Yuck! Pest and Disease - Wilt, Fungus, Curly Top Virus - bring in a leaf for diagnosis. True garden myth - companion planting of marigolds discourages certain pests.
What's the difference between hybrid and heirloom tomatoes? Heirlooms have been around for some 50 years - the ones grandma used to plant. They are "open pollinated" and generally speaking are somewhat less disease resistant. Hybrids have been cross polinated in order to achieve plants with attributes such as better flavor or more productivity. Seeds from hybrids do not come true.
Some of Jeni's favorite varieties for pots:
Patio - about 3 ounce - larger than cherry tomatoes - very tasty
Huskies - thicker stems and shorter internodes than cherry tomatoes. Full sized tomato ranges from 4 to 6 ounces. Husky Red and Husky Gold
For hanging baskets: Small Fry, Sun Gold, Red Currant
Cherry tomatoes tend to sprawl and should be caged: Black Cherry, Green Grape, Juliette
