I’ve been growing tomatoes in EarthBoxes for a while now, and they’ve become one of my favorite ways to garden. I love being able to step right outside my door, check on my plants, and eventually pick fresh tomatoes without having to maintain a big traditional garden.
Why EarthBoxes Work Well for My Tomatoes
Tomatoes can get pretty thirsty, especially once the plants get big and the weather gets hot. One thing I like about growing them in an EarthBox is the water reservoir underneath. I can refill it through the watering tube, and the plants can take up the moisture they need from below.
I still check the reservoir regularly because a large tomato plant can use a surprising amount of water, but I like this much better than trying to guess whether the soil needs watering every day.
Finding the Right Spot for My Tomatoes
I keep my EarthBoxes right outside on my covered porch. I have some on the side that gets morning sun and others where they get more evening sun. With tomatoes, I try to pay attention to where they’re getting enough sunlight while also remembering just how intense the Florida sun and heat can get.
One of the things I like about container gardening is that I can work with the space I already have. I don’t have to build a whole new garden area — I can grow tomatoes just a few steps from my door.
Tomatoes Definitely Let Me Know When They’re Thirsty
One thing I’ve learned is that bigger plants use a lot more water. When my tomato plants are really growing and producing, I check the reservoir more often than I do with something like green onions or herbs. Hot Florida weather can make a difference too.
That’s one reason I like the EarthBox system. Instead of watering from the top and wondering whether I gave the plant enough, I can refill the reservoir through the tube and let the plant draw water from below.
What I’ve Learned Growing Tomatoes in an EarthBox
I usually grow cherry tomatoes, and I really haven’t had much trouble with them splitting. Bugs are another story — if you garden in Florida, it seems like you’re always battling some kind of bug. I just keep an eye on the plants and deal with problems as I notice them.
I also usually stake my tomato plants. Once they really get growing, they can get pretty big, and the weight of all those branches and tomatoes needs some support. Having them staked also helps keep everything a little more manageable around my porch.
Why I Keep Growing Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are one of those things I enjoy having right outside the door. When they start ripening, I can walk out, pick a handful and bring them straight into the house. There’s something satisfying about eating something I grew myself, even if I’m not growing a huge garden.
That’s really what I like about my EarthBoxes. They let me garden on a scale that works for me. I can grow fresh tomatoes without making gardening complicated, and I still get all the enjoyment of watching those little green tomatoes eventually turn ripe and ready to pick.
Want to Know More About My EarthBoxes?
If you’re curious about the EarthBoxes themselves, I wrote more about why I use them, what I grow in mine, and even the little pool-noodle trick I came up with for the watering tube.
Simple Gardening Works for Me
I don’t need a huge garden or a complicated setup to enjoy growing my own food. A few EarthBoxes on the porch, some sunshine and a tomato plant that keeps producing are enough to make me happy.
There’s nothing fancy about the way I grow tomatoes, and that’s kind of the point. I’ve found something that works for me, fits into my everyday life and still lets me enjoy walking outside and picking something I grew myself.