Growing tomatoes in grow bags
Why should you use a grow bag to grow your tomatoes? You can grow a delicious tomato harvest in a grow bag even if you have very little room to grow (patio, balcony, deck or small yard). You can also grow for a longer period using grow bags because you have more control over the environment you grow your tomato. Use at least a 7 gallon bag.
Put your grow bag in a location with 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. The grow bag can overheat on asphalt so put in the grass, dirt or on a deck outside. Fill your grow bag half way with organic potting mix. Then add your seeds to the top of the potting mix and cover with about 1/4 inch of potting mix. Add some compost on top of the potting mix. Then add organic wood chips or organic straw to retain moisture and reduce the risk of disease. Water thorughly.
Once your tomato seeds start growing, snip off the bottom leaves and add more potting mix. By burying the bottom section of the stem, it will grow roots on that part of the stem. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, especially once they start producing tomatoes. Make sure you fertilize frequently (every 2-3 weeks). Water regularly. Potting soil is light and drains well and fabric grow bags do not retain water as much as plastic pots so water daily at the bottom of the plant. Tomatoes frequently grow “suckers” or new stems that will not flower or produce fruit. If left in place the “suckers” will take resources away from the producing stems.
Harvesting Tomatoes - You should never pull or tug your tomato off the plant! This can damage the plant. Use garden snips or shears to clip fruits off the vine. Ripe tomatoes are a full deep color with no green spots. The tomato will come off the vine easily when it is ripe. A ripe tomato will not be too firm or squishy and will be shiny and glossy.
Standard sized tomatoes take 20 to 30 days from blossom to full size - called mature green; they take another 20 to 30 days to ripen or change colors to red.
