How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag

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How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Wednesday, 4 May 2022 at 9:15 am

Follow our step-by-step guide to growing tomatoes in a growing bag.

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Tomato grow bags make the perfect, easy growing medium for greenhouse tomatoes and outdoor tomatoes. You can either plant the tomatoes directly into the growing bag, or you can try using a growing ring to increase the amount of compost the roots sit in. This can increase the amount of water and nutrients available to each tomato plant, and therefore increase your tomato crop.

How to support tomatoes growing in grow bags

Use a support like bamboo canes to support tomatoes growing in grow bags, and then tie the plant to the cane using twine. If using culture rings you will increase the depth of compost to push the cane into. Use one cane per plant, ideally pushing it through the bag and into the soil beneath. If you're laying your grow bags over a hard surface such as concrete, you can buy a support frame to hold the bamboo canes in place.

Follow our step-by-step guide to planting tomatoes into a growing bag, below.

You Will Need

Growing bags
Tomato plants
Sharp knife or scissors
Hand fork
Trowel
Growing ring, Optional

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag - dislodging compost

Soak pots of young tomato plants in a tray of water for an hour to fully hydrate them, which will help reduce root damage during transplanting. Lay the growing bag in a sunny position and shake it to dislodge any compacted compost inside.

Step 2

How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag - cutting a slot in the growing bag

Cut a slot out of the bag to expose the compost for planting into. Use a hand fork to further dislodge compacted compost if necessary.

Step 3

How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag - planting a tomato plant in the growing bag

If planting straight into the compost, use a hand trowel to create a planting hole and gently knock the plant out of its original pot. Place your tomato plant in the planting hole, replacing the compost and firming gently. Allow two plants for a 60 litre bag of compost,or three plants for a 75 litre bag. Water in well.

Step 4

How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag - planting the tomato plant into the growing ring

If using a growing ring, push this into the compost before planting the tomato plant. Add more peat-free, multi-purpose compost to the centre of the growing ring. Then plant as you would otherwise, taking care to water well and firm the compost around the plant.

Step 5

How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag - planting tagetes with the tomato

It's a good idea to grow companion plants - such as French marigold, Tagetes, to deter whitefly from your tomato plants. Place one plant into the planting hole next to the tomato.

Step 6

How to grow tomatoes in a growing bag - watering the plants in

One of the benefits of using a growing ring is that when you water the plant, water is directed straight to the roots and doesn't run off the surface of the compost. Make sure you water regularly and, once flowers appear, feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser to increase your crop.

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