The materials you will need to gather for your tomato container garden are simple:

1. Container(s): Pots or containers that are 5 gallons in size, or larger (larger is better). Containers will need holes for drainage. Only plant one tomato plant per pot.
2. Soil: You will need a good soil. Preferably a potting "mix" that can be purchased from your local nursery and garden center, or one you mix on your own.
3. Seedlings: Seedling can be purchased from your local nursery and garden center. Or you can grow your own tomato seedlings from seed
4. Supports: Stakes or a wire cage to hold the plant upright when growing in the container.
5. Ties: String, or products called twist-tie, or sturdy-tie, will be needed to tie the plant to the stakes or cages.
6. Drainage Tray: You might need a plastic tray for drainage: good drainage is essential to the health of your tomato container garden.

7. Fertilizer: Last need on the list is fertilizer: A water soluble fertilzer for tomatoes, or well-balanced organic fertilizer.

Below are basic instructions for planting a tomato plant in a container.

1. Place a 1 to 2" layer of gravel in bottom of pot for improved drainage.
2. Use a professional potting mix to fill container to a level that will allow your plant to sit with the top edge of its rootball approximately 1/2 to 1" below top rim of the container. Professional potting mixes will hold moisture evenly. Avoid using cheap grade, dollar-a-bag potting "soils" as they are typically not know to hold moisture as evenly.

TIP: Add Calcium: It's not a bad idea to add a teaspon of hydrated lime to each gallon of potting soil to balance pH. Hydrated lime is rich in calcium and is absolutely great for the tomatoes. This calcium prevents the blossoms from rotting later on down the line. You don't want to start the soil too wet. Adding water a little at a time until you can get just about 2 or 3 drops of water out of it when you squeeze. Anything more than that and you will want to dry the soil out some before you start to use it.

3. If you intend to use a stake, put the stake a little off center in the pot.

4. Gently remove the tomato seedling you intend to grow in the container from the pot was growing in.
5. Set root ball or plug in container and make necessary adjustments to insure that the top edge of the root ball will sit 1/2 to 1" below the rim of the container.
Backfill with potting mix around rootball, tamping as you go, until the the level of potting mix is even with the top edge of root ball.
6. Water thoroughly and add more potting mix if settling occurs during watering.
7. Apply a 1/2" layer of wood chips or spaghnum moss to soil surface to help retain moisture, and act as a barrier between soil and the leaves of your tomato plant.
8. If you intend on using a tomato cage as a support for plant, install and now your done with the planting process.

As mentioned previously, keep your tomato plants in containers in as much sun as possible.

Fertilize your tomatoes regularly as is suggested on the product label.

Suggested Tomatoes For Container Gardening.

There are some species of tomatoes that will do better in your tomato container garden:

Bush Varieties: The bush varieties of tomatoes work well in containers and are popular with container gardeners.

Cherry Varieties: Cherry tomatoes and Grape tomatoes work well also because of their size and are good for growing when there is limited space.

Determinate Varieties: Most tomato plants labeled "determinate" are suitable for growing in 5 gallon size or larger containers. Plant tags and seed packages will indicate whether a tomato is "dertiminate", or "indeterminate". Determinate tomato plants are varieties that grow to a fixed mature size and ripen all their fruit in a short period, usually about 2 weeks.

Indeterminate Varieties: Most "indeterminate" (vining varieties) tomato plants will require a 10 gallon size or larger container. Indeterminate tomato plants are actually vines that continue growing in length throughout the growing season. Also referred to as "vining" tomatoes, indeterminate tomato varieties will also continue to set and ripen fruit until killed off by frost.

Natural Pest Control on Container Grown Tomatoes

By growing your own tomato container garden you will have the choice and comfort to know that there were no pesticides used on your plants, if you choose not to use toxic pesticides. With all the controversy going on about pesticides knowing that yours are pesticide free can be a comforting thought - an advantage for you and your family. Here is a good natural pest deterrent:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests. See, that's easy, less expensive, and safe!

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