How Much Water

[shilo624]

I have three containers on my deck in which I planted three tomato plants.* My question is, how much watering should I do?* Should I water every night when the weather is warm/hot? Or should I just water every other day?.* I have good drainage in my pots but at the same time I do not want to over water.* I am new at this because this is the first year I've tried doing this.* Some of the leaves are curling and I don't know what to make of that...Moreover I have a lot of foilage but only two or thee little tomato balls on each plant...Is that normal?....Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Newt]

Hi Shilo,

It's best to water in the morning so the plants are hydrated before it gets hot.* Water when the top inch of soil is dry.* Stick your finger into the soil up to your first knuckle.

You don't say if your plants are rootbound and that could be causing the leaf curl.* Check the roots to see if they need larger pots.* There is something called tomato leaf roll that can be caused by overwatering and several other things.
http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/expe...Leaf_Roll.html

You also don't say which tomatoes you are growing so it's difficult to say if the amount of fruit you see is 'normal'.* Don't over fertilize as that will cause lush growth that attracts insects and at the cost of flowers.* There are some good growing guides on the left side of this page.* Here's some info about growing veggies in containers.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH032
http://www.ourgardengang.com/containerveggies.htm

Newt

[shilo624]

Thank you so very much*Newt for your advice...My pots are 15 inches and one is 16 inches...I should be OK with that size pot, right !!!*The tomatoes I planted are "Better Boy" (two pots) and* one pot of "Sweet 100"...I think I have been watering too much...I will go by what you tell me inthat you have far more experience in planting tomatoes than I have.* I am new to this and have so much to learn.* Again, thank you so very much for responding back to me.* I value your advice greatly Newt,*as I do anyone who is knowlegeable regarding growning tomatoes...Kind regards, Shilo. :)

[Newt]

Shilo, you are very welcome!* Sounds like your pots are a good size for your plants.* Both your Better Boy and Sweet 100 are indeterminate.* That means that they will keep getting taller and taller and keep producing, so you will need to stake them for sure.* The Sweet 100's do tend to crack so do be very careful not to overwater, but you should eventually see a clump of tomatoes on the stem, not just 3.* Here's some info on both.
http://www.naturehills.com/new/produ...px?prodid=4394
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...2/ai_114010308
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/tomato1.html
http://gurneys.com/product.asp?pn=14...cd2=1180123346

Newt

[shilo624]

[user=5]Newt[/user] wrote: Shilo, you are very welcome!* Sounds like your pots are a good size for your plants.* Both your Better Boy and Sweet 100 are indeterminate.* That means that they will keep getting taller and taller and keep producing, so you will need to stake them for sure.* The Sweet 100's do tend to crack so do be very careful not to overwater, but you should eventually see a clump of tomatoes on the stem, not just 3.* Here's some info on both.
http://www.naturehills.com/new/produ...px?prodid=4394
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...2/ai_114010308
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/tomato1.html
http://gurneys.com/product.asp?pn=14...cd2=1180123346

Newt


[/quote]
THANKS again Newt...YOU ARE THE BEST...you have been so helpful and have made my day.* I'll let you know how it goes...As I indicated this is a* FIRST for me and I am excited about growing tomatoes in my three pots that are sitting on my deck....Kind regards, Shilo :)

[Newt]

Shilo, thanks for the compliment.* :)* I'm glad i could help.* There isn't much that tastes better then a ripe tomato off the vine that has just been kissed by the sun.* :D*

Newt