Hi debbie, not an expert but from experience my tomatoes will grow their roots to fill whatever space you give them. I grow mine in a compost bag 2/3rds full with one of those collars for easy watering. If they get frustrated they just grow roots on their stems, not pretty but not a problem.
A foot cubed is plenty of space I'm sure, good luck!
My aerial tomato roots!
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
Thanks for taking the time to respond Herbaceous. Interesting. Here’s what I’ve rigged up using some windowsill trays I found - I’m thinking they’ll serve as the reservoir and I can just line the sides around them with plastic bags overlapping them so that the bottom edges fall over the edges of the trays so they drop into them. I will of course poke some holes in the sides of the plastic first. I’d appreciate any feedback once again. :-)
Blue Onion, is this the kind of thing you meant? And do I put holes in the plastic liner all the way up or just heat the bottom? Sorry for so many questions. I want to do things right. :-)
Sounds a good deal more attractive and civilised than my Heath-Robinson contraptions! I think that would work really well, have you thought about how to tie them up? I'm assuming you have cordon rather than bush tomatoes and they get quite heavy once the fruit starts, you'll need something pretty sturdy to support them.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
I haven’t got them yet Herby. I’m thinking of putting 3 plants in - perhaps a taller variety in the middle and a couple of bush/tumbling types either side. I like my produce pots to look pleasing to the eye too if possible! But retentive I’m afraid 😆 in the end though I’ll be stuck with what’s left at the garden centre - just hoping I haven’t missed out yet. If you look at the first photo you can see that the trough is against sinevtailings so I’m hoping to put a can by each one and also tie them onto the railings as they grow.
Hi again all. Just got back from the garden centre. I got a cordon type and two tumbling types. As they were in a poly tunnel, will they need gardening off before planting out?
Depends on your weather forecast Debbie. If you're due the heavy rain and thunderstorms predicted this weekend I'd keep them sheltered, so they don't get battered. I think it's when night time temps are consistently over 10°C that it's ok to plant outside ??? I grow mine undercover up here 😄.
Pleased to hear you had success Debbie! Kitty is right, you could plant them out and cover them up to protect from the worst of the weather if you have something suitable.
So, now you need to sow some lettuce eh?
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
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A foot cubed is plenty of space I'm sure, good luck!
My aerial tomato roots!
I think it's when night time temps are consistently over 10°C that it's ok to plant outside ???
I grow mine undercover up here 😄.
So, now you need to sow some lettuce eh?