Gardening - Q&A: Containers for Herbs and Tomatoes

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Q&A: Containers for Herbs and Tomatoes

National Gardening Association

Question: I have a tiny backyard, but would still like to plant some herbs and flowers. I'm planning on using individual pots or windowboxes. How large should the containers be for herbs like basil, cilantro, and chives? for tomatoes? Can I plant cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket?

Answer: In regions with hot summers, the larger the container, the better. A cherry tomato will grow in a hanging basket, and a standard tomato can be grown in a five gallon bucket or half a whiskey barrel planter. An oversized windowbox can hold several basil plants along with a clump of chives and some cilantro. These plants (and perhaps a parsley plant or two) would also do well in a half barrel along with a tomato plant because they all like a rich soil that is evenly moist yet not soggy. Standard window boxes as a rule are not deep enough or wide enough to provide enough room for the roots of tomatoes, but could hold the herbs if you are willing to water very often (perhaps twice a day) in the heat of summer.

Content provided by the National Gardening Association