Tomato pots - size - and do I need saucers?

Escapetothegarden · June 2023

Hello!

I have found someone selling pots on Facebook.

They are 30l and size is: one foot high, 16 inches wide. Is this big enough? Or too big? Need to think of compost 😑

Also, should I get saucers? Will it make things too damp for tomatoes or is that ok?

Thank you

Fairygirl · June 2023

Plenty big enough for most toms, although I'd prefer deeper than wider if I was buying any.
You only need saucers if you're not able to water effectively/regularly, but you can pick those up in any DIY store quite cheaply.
Consistent watering is best, as irregular watering causes problems, so try to do it at the same stage - ie if you wait until the plant is very slightly wilting to do it, then keep to that regime. If you do it before that stage, then keep to that, but toms do better if slightly stressed, as it encourages flowering, and therefore fruiting, which is what you want if you want . Easier if they're undercover than outside

SalixGold · June 2023

yes, certainly, to saucers.

Emptyheadtime · June 2023

I have mine in 25 litre pots (from elixir garden supplies online) that are 11 inches high and they do me fine. I use saucers (mainly to catch excess water when i water them) but they are not essential if you are good with watering.

Escapetothegarden · June 2023

Thank you @Fairygirl that’s lots of helpful info 👍

Escapetothegarden · June 2023

@SalixGold thank you - had a painful visit (£) to Homebase - was wondering if really needed - who said growing veg was cheap! Although I suppose it’s different if you’re planting in the ground!

Escapetothegarden · June 2023

@Emptyheadtime thank you! I wanted to save money but also wanted to consider size/budget/compost.

Don’t want to buy twice 👀

Escapetothegarden · June 2023

Out of interest @Fairygirl where did you source deeper pots from? The ones I see that are deeper go wider too…

Fairygirl · June 2023

I've never used anything bigger than about a foot in width [top] and about the same depth, but I only grow cherry/plum toms. I now grow them in the ground though [under cover] but I have some spares, so they'll be potted up, possibly several of them, in a large metal pot I have. I've also grown them successfully in smaller pots that that, especially if it's been a later plant and is smaller anyway, and there won't be a long enough season for them to get to full size. I often use the side shoots nipped out as new material, depending on how any I have etc.
I think some people use the plastic pots you see for growing trees, but it doesn't have to be a conventional pot either - I've also used plastic boxes, the kind you use for storage or toys or anything similar. I'll try and find a photo, but the ones I've got are around a foot deep, and about 18 inches in width, approx.

I've never used saucers for any permanent plant, as it simply isn't needed here. Your climate dictates that, and where/how you water. The only time I use them is when I'm watering something that's in a small clay pot and is getting too dry - and again, that isn't very often, although I've just had to do some as it's been extremely dry here recently.

Escapetothegarden · June 2023

I understand thanks 💐

Lyn · June 2023

I got a big stack of pots for next to nothing from Morrison a few years ago, the ones they have their bouquets in. If you can’t see them, ask an assistant if they have any.

Tomato pots - size - and do I need saucers?

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