[ConfusedGardener]

Do most toms tend to do better in the ground? Is it ever the other way around? I suppose in the ground has some advantages over containers like not having to worry about watering quite so much, but what are the other pros/cons?

So far I've had pretty good success with 42l flexy-tubs as final containers although last year I left potting on too late and it ended up a bit of a disaster. I have yet to try any in the ground, but am planning to start digging a long bed for this years toms, and any that I can't fit in will end up in tubs again.

Also, do toms like chicken manure pellets? If not I'll dig in some well rotted manure just before planting. I intend to feed with nettle/comfrey/borage tea (is borage good for making tea too?) as necessary also.

[Nobbie]

Obvious advantage of containers is that you can move them, but other than that I'd say thay in the ground wins as long as you prepare the soil well beforehand and dig in plenty of compost. For me the watering of containers would be a big pain especially in hot weather or when going away for a weekend.

[Robster]

I do both and seem fine as long as the container is big enough and you pay enough attention to watering.  The root system of a good and productive tomato plant seems enormous so I can't help thinking that in the ground is best just to give it enough room.  But still a good crop from a decent container

[sunshineband]

If you have ground space then use it, as tomatoes benefit from the extra root space and (usually) a more even supply of water.

I also find it easier to stake cordons or support bush ones when they are in the ground than in containers outside

[riggers24]

Have a look for tumbling toms, I have grown them in hanging baskets for three years with great success. I mix a grow bag compost with water retention gel crystals.

[DD.]

Indoors - compost. Outdoors - straight in the soil - it's a lot cheaper than compost!

[ConfusedGardener]

How about outdoor containers DD?

I started off using 30% compost, 30% soil, 30% perlite, plus a little seaweed meal/chicken manure/BFB/garden lime, and have not changed this formula since it worked for me before.

[DD.]

You're still buying 70% of that mix.

Straight into the free soil works for me!

[ConfusedGardener]

Thanks DD. I will give it a try!

[DD.]

I will say though, that if you have something that works for you, don't try and fix it!

[ConfusedGardener]

Well, this year is going to be a year for experimentation, and finding out what works well whilst keeping costs down as much as possible. Two out of the five varieties sown have germinated enough to be able to do a very unscientific side by side, something along the lines of (for each variety) one in the poly, one in the ground, one in a tub with just soil, and a couple in tubs with the trusty old mix

Hopefully next year will be the first year I get to use my own home made compost, so I won't have to pay for compost or worry about quality any more!

[fatcat1955]

As long as they are fed and watered well i doubt you will see much difference.

[ConfusedGardener]

As long as they are fed and watered well i doubt you will see much difference.

So probably more advantageous to have them in the ground...

[sion01]

Glad i found this,was going to ask the same(ish) question,but in one book i have they suggested digging out a hole 1ft deep and 1ft square and filling that with compost and well rotted manure and planting the toms into it.I already do this with marrows.Would the only advantage be that i dont have to use as much manure at the expense of the tom plant?

[DD.]

You may as well just put them into a pot filled with compost and sink that into the ground as do that.

I've been growing for years straight into the soil - and they taste better than their equivalent greenhouse relatives.