Nothing beats a juicy, sun-ripened tomato in summer – but plant them too early and you could ruin your crop before it’s even begun. Whether you’re tossing it into a fresh salad or blending it into your favourite sauce, that delicious homegrown flavour is hard to beat.
The best time to plant tomatoes
Tomatoes are not only tasty – they’re surprisingly easy and fun to grow. And if space is limited, you can still get great results in a pot, growbag, window box or even a hanging basket. The key is timing: tomato plants are sun-lovers, so if you’ve grown them from seed indoors, they should only be moved outside once the weather has warmed up and the risk of frost has passed – usually around mid- to late May, depending on your local climate and conditions. To avoid shock, it’s best to do this gradually over 7–14 days, a process known as ‘hardening off’.
Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so pot-grown varieties especially will benefit from extra nutrients. Here, Angharad James, brand manager at Maxicrop, shares some top tips on how to grow bigger, better and tastier tomatoes in pots.
Choose pot-friendly varieties
When you’re growing tomatoes in containers, success comes down to striking the right balance between compact growth and vigorous, healthy plants. Angharad explains:
‘Smaller, bush or trailing varieties tend to outperform larger types in confined spaces, as they’re naturally better suited to restricted root systems and limited nutrients. Cherry tomato cultivars are great options as they deliver generous harvests without demanding excessive space or support.
‘Popular choices such as Tumbling Tom Red, Red Robin and Hundreds and Thousands are all well adapted to life in pots and hanging baskets. These varieties stay relatively compact, producing dense, bushy foliage alongside impressive trusses of fruit. Their manageable size and productivity makes them ideal for patios, balconies and smaller garden spaces where every inch counts.’
Choose the right container
‘While tomatoes can be grown in a range of containers, opting for a larger pot will always make maintenance easier and help support stronger growth,’ says Angharad. ‘That said, excellent results are still achievable with smaller pots and planters, provided a few key principles are followed. Each plant should have at least 30cm of space to establish a healthy root system, with around 35cm between plants to prevent overcrowding and competition for light, water and nutrients.’
Pick the perfect sunny spot
‘Your tomatoes will be happiest in a warm, sheltered spot with at least 6-8 hours of sunshine a day,’ says Angharad. ‘A south-facing position is ideal. Try to protect from wind, too. A wall, fence, or hedge makes a great natural shield, helping prevent damage and stopping the soil from drying out too quickly.
‘When planting, handle your tomatoes gently and firm the compost around them so they feel nice and secure in their new home. And if you’re growing climbing varieties like Beefsteak or Sweet Million, don’t forget to set up a trellis or some stakes – they’ll need a little support as they grow taller.’
Keep plants well watered...
Consistent watering is one of the most important factors when growing tomatoes in containers, particularly in hanging baskets or smaller pots that dry out quickly. ‘Tomatoes are naturally thirsty plants, so it’s essential to keep the compost evenly moist,’ says Angharad. ‘As a simple rule of thumb, if the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. During warmer periods, this may mean watering daily or even twice a day.’
... and well-fed
‘Feeding is equally important for maintaining plant health and encouraging a steady supply of fruit. Incorporating a high-quality fertiliser or compost enhancer can significantly improve both yield and plant resilience. Products such as Maxicrop Tomato Growth Stimulant and Feed, made with natural seaweed extract, can help improve nutrient uptake, support robust root development and promote overall plant vitality. Used regularly, this type of combined stimulant and feed helps maintain balanced growth while encouraging consistent flowering and fruit production throughout the season.
‘Just mix it into your watering can and feed your plants at the base, starting when the first flower trusses (those stems that carry the flowers and fruit) appear. Your tomatoes will thank you with a bumper crop!’
Harvest and enjoy!
You’ll know your tomatoes are ready to pick when there are no green patches in sight. ‘When they’re ripe, they’ll come away easily with a gentle pinch or twist from the vine –no wrestling required!’ says Angharad.
‘Once picked, resist the urge to pop them in the fridge – tomatoes hate the cold, and it dulls their lovely flavour. Instead, keep them at room temperature on your kitchen counter where they can stay tasty and aromatic. For the best flavour, try to enjoy them within a few days… if they last that long!’
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