Tomatoes in hanging baskets

[Alison C]

Hello
This is my first year growing veg and I'm planning on using up every inch of my garden to grow in. Therefore I've decided to grow tumbling toms variety of tomatoes in hanging baskets. I know that hanging baskets are prone to drying out easily and I know I will have to water them regularly but does anybody have any tips on retaining moisture in my baskets?

[hawthorns]

im going to try water retaining crystals in my tom hanging baskets

[Alison C]

Do water crystals have chemicals in them? I really know nothing about them,

[lainey lou]

Cut up some old/cheep sponges and mix in with your compost, works a treat, cheep and reuseable!

[Alison]

Depending on where you are putting them (ie how much visual effect matters!) you can use the plastic hanging baskets with a reservoir in the bottom. I have a couple I bought years ago (Wilko's I think) which I use down the bottom of the garden for my trailing toms. They can manage a few days without watering even in pretty hot weather and when the plants have grown well you can't see the dodgy brown plastic very much.

[Two_Sheds]

I line my baskets with black plastic (inside-out compost bags) and place a saucer in the bottom to retain water. Mix some water-retaining granules in your compost and Bob's your auntie. (shredded sponge can't be composted? ??)
I've also been known to water my baskets with ice cubes which melt slowly, instead of pouring water in, which just runs straight out.

[jeannine]

I've looked into this because I grow a few baskets of tomatoes every year and I've spoken to some of the water retaining gel manufacturers and they all say that they are safe to use with food crops.

If you prefer an organic alternative then you can buy a type of seaweed flake that retains water like a gel from the organic gardening catalogue. It does cost more but you can add it to your compost heap.

if you want to buy the gel crystals, Wilkinsons own brand seems to be the best value I've found so far.

[nick the grief]

I do the same as Two sheds, ex - compost bag liner and a plant saucer in the bottom. I usually put Tagetes and Basil in the basket with them as well. The Tagetes help keep white fly at bay and the Basil loves to be baked in the sun. And the Ice cube trick works well if you are out all day and you can either pop them on the basket at night or 1st thing in the morning and it will soak into the compost then. If you do it at midday it doesn't soak in as well as it evaporates with the heat.

[jools]

Loooove the ice cube idea! The simple ones are the best ones!
Jools

[Alison C]

Wow thats great thankyou for all the great advice!!

[Hazel at the Hill]

I've also been known to water my baskets with ice cubes which melt slowly, instead of pouring water in, which just runs straight out.

I'll be pinching that idea too - just brilliant!

[Rooster]

When are tumbling tom seedlings available in the garden centers?

[Alison]

When are tumbling tom seedlings available in the garden centers?

There were some tomato plants in our GC the other day, not sure of the variety though as didn't want any - much prefer to grow my own.