Every gardener dreams of harvesting perfect tomatoes: big, firm and sweet. To achieve this, tomato plants need a lot of space to spread their roots.
Can you plant two tomato plants together? Discover how close tomato plants should be below.
While grocery stores and farmers markets sell many tempting varieties, it’s hard to beat the flavor and freshness of a homegrown tomato. With all the different types of tomatoes available today it’s hard to know where to begin:
1.Cherry tomato
2.Grape tomato
3. Roma tomato
4. Heirloom tomato
5. Big beef tomato
6.Jersey tomato
7.Sun Gold tomato
8.Brandywine tomato
9.Yellow Pear tomato
10. Amish Paste tomato
11. Cherokee Purple tomato
12. San Marzano tomato and lots more
The breed to choose is totally up to you as they all have their peculiarities.
Narrow down your choices by answering these questions:
•What do I want to do with my tomatoes?
•What characteristics am I looking for in a tomato?
•How long is the growing season?
•Do I want a non-hybrid or hybrid tomato?
•Do I want indeterminate or determinate tomatoes?
•What quantity of tomatoes do I want?
Read Also: Tomatoes Not Turning Red? Why + How to Turn Green Tomatoes Red on Vines
How many tomato plants can you plant together?
Tomato plants are very competitive plants. They do not do very well when they are planted close to each other.
As they grow,their roots also grow and spread out in search of water and necessary nutrients.
If two or more tomato plants are planted together,their roots knot up and none will receive sufficient food or some will thrive better than others.
Additionally, in this state,the plants are more susceptible to diseases.
It is recommended that one tomato plant is planted per container, if you are planting in containers.
How close together can you put tomato plants?
Spacing of tomato plants depends on the variety you are cultivating.
Two major types of tomatoes to consider based on growth habit are:
1.indeterminate tomatoes and
2.determinate tomatoes.
1. Indeterminate tomatoes
Indeterminate tomato plants, also known as cordon tomatoes or vine tomatoes, continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the summer. Because of this, they need support from stakes, trellis, or large tomato cages.
Another option is that you can let them sit on the ground. They keep growing and getting bigger and keep producing tomatoes over time, so you can pick them for a long time.
These grow more upward than outward. This vertical growth means they can be planted closer together. They only need spacing of 18 inches (45 cm) when planted in the ground.
Allerbest,Amarillo,Big beef,Better Boy,Dixie Golden, Eva Purple Ball and Garden Peach tomatoes fall under this category.
2. Determinate tomatoes
Determinate tomato varieties produce the early season fruits and are generally set out earlier in the season.The determinate forms stop their shoot production once flowers form on the ends.
The self-pruning flower clusters prevent determinate tomato varieties from growing more than a certain amount.
Determinate tomato plants are often referred to as “bush tomatoes” because they grow thick and bushy, up to 4 or 5 feet tall.
Determinate tomatoes are usually smaller and can be grown in containers. Spacing requirement is 18 to 24 inches.
Roma,Siberian,Mountain Majesty,Black Sea Man,Amelia,Cream Sausage,Caro Rich tomatoes are determinate breeds.
Of the two types,determinate tomatoes need more space to grow. Determinates are the ones usually grown in containers.
In general, the ideal spacing for tomato plants is 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 cm). When tomato plants are less than 61 cm (24 inches) apart, airflow around the plants is reduced and disease can result.
Large vine-producing tomatoes should be spaced 36 inches (91cm.) apart and rows should be spaced about 4 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5m) apart.
Tomato plants supported by trellises,cages or arches can tolerate a closer planting than those allowed to trail on the ground.
Can you plant more than one tomato plants in a container?
Tomatoes shouldnt share a container unless you’re using a very large pot. If their surroundings are restricted,tomato plants will starve each other for sustenance.
For certain tomato varieties like determinate tomatoes, allow about 60 cm of space. Indeterminate tomato plants (vine tomatoes) should be spaced 18 inches (45 cm) apart.
18 liter pots are great single plant tomato containers.
Read Also: Can You Use Bone Meal For Tomatoes?
Growing tomatoes in containers
1.Use a large pot or container(at least 20 inches in diameter)with drainage holes in the bottom.
2. Use loose,well-drained soil,at least 12 inches of good potting soil with organic matter added. Some sort of bowl should be placed under the pot to catch any excess water that runs off the bottom.
3. Choose specific species, such as shrubs or dwarf varieties. Many cherry tomatoes do well in pots. Larger varieties may need staking.
4. Plant one tomato plant per pot and give each one at least 6 hours of sun per day. Keep the soil moist.
5. Potting soil dries out faster than garden soil, so check daily and give extra water during heat waves.
Growing tomatoes in beds
1 .Choose a site for the bed that is level and free of debris. Select a well-draining spot that is close to a water source and receives at least eight hours of direct sun daily.
2. The bed should be at least 30cm deep
to give roots room to grow and allow for proper drainage.
3. Use edging materials like stones which are heavy enough to keep a raised bed in place for a long time, and they can be inexpensive or free. The only cost may be the time and effort required to move them into place.
4. Tomatoes can be deeply planted since roots can form along the length of the stems. Plant them at 18 to 24 inch spacing.
5. Water tomatoes at planting and regularly while growing to avoid rot, which is caused when the soil is allowed to dry out. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
6. Regularly nourish plants with vegetable-safe fertilizer according to the label recommendations.
7. Mulch with two to three inch layers around the base of the plants.
8. Stake tomato plants for support as they start growing. Use wooden stakes, cages or wire supports to train tomatoes.
In summary,
Can you plant two tomato plants together? It is possible but for the best harvest,it is advised to give tomato plants adequate spacing.
As mentioned above,tomato plants are competitive and do better when each has sufficient nutrients to thrive.
Some varieties of tomato need more space than others.
Also mold, fungus, blight, insect problems and difficulty in harvest would be kept at bay if the instructions are heeded.
