Hanging Tomato Planters

Tomato gardeners are always trying to find the best ways to grow tomatoes in their gardens. Tomato growing is widespread popularity, and could be considered a national pastime, just like baseball, mom, and apple pie. Unfortunately, not everyone has the space or time to start a tomato garden. Various container growing methods have come about over the years, but few are as popular as hanging tomato planters.

The popularity of hanging tomato planters are based on their many conveniences. You can put one almost anywhere, and because they hang, you don't need floor space for a tomato garden. They are perfect for apartment dwellers that have limited space, as they can be hung on their deck or patio. Just think, you can have fresh tomatoes just a few steps away from your kitchen, where they will be handy for a quick salad or to slice for a sandwich.

You won't have to spend countless hours weeding hanging tomato planters, because they are isolated from the lawn and other weeds. If you change out the potting soil each year, you will eliminate problems with disease. You can also control drainage and moisture retention to accomodate your specific type of tomato plant by using custom mixed soil, with more organic matter or enhancements like perlite or peat moss.

With your tomato plants hanging down, you eliminate having to use stakes or tomato cages. Pruning becomes easier because you can have the hanging planter at eye level, instead of having to crouch down to the tomato plant. Hanging tomato planters also improve air circulation, which can help the pollination of the plants.

Hydroponic Tomato Growers

There's no argument that tomatoes used to taste better a few decades ago compared to their taste now. It's not surprising when you considers that they are no longer commercially grown for taste, but for eye appeal and the ability to withstand extended storage periods. Commercially grown tomatoes are picked approximately two weeks before they ripen, and can be shipped and stored for a month before they find their way to your local supermarket produce section. They are artificially ripened and colored with Ethylene gas, yuck! Luckily, tomato lovers, can grow their own tomatoes with relative ease in containers or in their garden.

Few people realize that tomatoes are fruits, rather than a vegetables. Providing that a few basic rules are followed tomatoes are unbelievably easy to grow hydroponically. If grown indoors, you'll need to ensure they receive a suitable amount of light, and while strong sunlight from a nearby window may be sufficient, most indoor systems benefit from artificial lighting.

Hydroponic garden systems require a growing solution rich in nutrients, and because this supply will need to be monitored, growers are in a position to control growth by means of temperature, humidity, lighting and of course, pH levels. The biggest benefit of growing your tomatoes hydroponically is that you'll never need to concern yourself with weeds, common garden pests or diseases often present in soil.

A h ydroponically grown tomato's taste can be enhanced by making certain adjustments to the solution in which they're grown. They also have a higher nutritional value than regular commercially grown tomatoes. It cannot be stressed enough that gas ripened tomatoes will never come close to tomatoes ripened on the vine.

Hydroponic garden systems come with detailed instructions, and the equipment is easy to use with little or no experience, making them ideal for beginners or experienced growers. While most basic hydroponic systems rely on a wick system, other methods include recovery drip systems, flood and drain systems or even NFT (nutrient film technique). Additionally, tomatoes can be grown in an aeroponic system, in which tomato plants are grown while being suspended, allowing their roots to be sprayed with a nutrient rich solution.