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Greenhouse Tomato Growers - Soil or Pots

KiliKili Posts: 1,104
edited August 2023 in Fruit & veg
Hi, just a query for those of us who grow tomatoes in the greenhouse. Do you grow in pots of direct into a soil bed in your greenhouse and which do you find gives a better yield?

I'm considering removing some slabs ( my floor is all slabs) and growing direct into the soil. I understand that the soil may need to be replaced every 3 years or so , but I was wondering what kind of results are achieved compared to growing in pots.

Thanks in advance for your response.


'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

George Bernard Shaw'

Posts

  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    I find it's easier to grow them in the ground as it holds water better (less watering) and would say that in my experience the yield is better, I do grow in 2 gall buckets with large holes in the bottom sunken in to the ground though, this means that I can use fresh compost each year. l'm sure that Monty said that he has grown his in the greenhouse bed in the same soil for years and never had a problem.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I used to grow them in 22L pots at the back of my south-facing shed and had very good results. There was gravel and soil below the pots and the roots would travel down through the gravel and establish themselves in the soil below.

    I now have a proper greenhouse and grow them in the border with very good results.
    Monty does change the soil in his g/h border about every 3 years to prevent a build-up of pathogens.
    I do the same.
    I dig out at least a spade-depth of soil in the 8ft x 2ft border and replace with a mix of garden soil and my home-made compost.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    Much better in soil.  I used to have a greenhouse with soil base.  I would alternate growing tomatoes one side one year and the other side the next.  It worked wonderfully and I had good tomatoes every year, without fail.  Then I moved and my current green house has a concrete base so I grow my tomatoes in pots and growbags and they are not nearly as good; they dry out and have disease problems.  This year is the worst I've ever grown in about 40 years of growing tomatoes. Mr Redwing has offered to make me a tunnel on soil for future crops.....really looking forward to that next year. 
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Soil. I find that if we have a moderate amount of rain I don't even need to water them once they are established. I do move my tunnel every year though so there is no issue with growing the same thing every year.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I use a Quadgrow in a greenhouse and I’m very pleased with the results. Even when the tomatoes are growing vigorously in warm weather the inbuilt reservoir means I only have to water about every six days and the slow absorption of water means no problems with blossom end rot.

    I also bought the pot lids, not so much as a means of reducing evaporation but the caps allow two canes to be firmly attached to each pot.
    Rutland, England
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Grow bags for me. We have these plastic water baths which you place them on which has holes for canes and have plastic serrated inserts to pierce the bag which has capillary mat inserts for feeding the water into the bags. They have a water wheel which tells you how full they are and can be filled either by attaching a hose to the filler plug or pouring water down the slot from a can. They hold 2 gallons of water. As you can tell I am a great fan of them as you do not need to worry about guessing if the plants need water. Great results every year and you do not have to worry about the condition of your soil.

  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    Thanks everyone its very interesting seeing how we all do this. I think next year I'm going to dig up one side of my greenhouse and get some decent soil in there and do an experiment with pots on the other side and see how we do. Besides tomatoes I'm finding my cucumber plants are very short lived and have to do at least two sowings throughout the season so might try those in the soil bed as well.   :)

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Soil for me too.   We don't change the soil but do add plenty of garden compost and well-rotted manure before planting.  I wind a seep hose round the base of the plants which are in 2 rows.   

    Can't comment on yields as I've never done them in pots and I tend to try new heritage varieties each year.   They've been slow to get going this year but I put that down to a cool and grey July and August is not proving much better - yet.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Can depend on the size of the pots/containers and the medium used too.  I planted Sungold tomatoes in my GH soil bed this year.  They haven't done as well as my usual method of containers.
    It's quite possible that the weather conditions haven't been as favourable but the other possibility is that the GH bed is only 3 or 4 feet from a border full of shrubs/trees.  Despite being well dug over and plenty of organic matter added, I think I will go back to containers next year- bottomless or otherwise.
    When feasible, I would agree that direct planting is usually a better bet :)
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