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Tomatoes

watlinggwatlingg Posts: 20
in Fruit & veg
My tomatoes are ready to grow on into grow bags, but this year, I cannot find any large ones; they all seem to be very slim and about 1.5 inches in depth. Is there anything particular in Tomato Grow Bags or would a bag of suitable compost suffice as these are bigger; if so, what type.
Thanks All, Glenys

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 21,916
    Try to get some very big pots, supermarkets sell their flower buckets. Then tip the gro bag compost into those.Other than that, cut the gro bag in half and turn them like two buckets. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 4,985
    Once, I cut two large holes in the top of two bags and then flipped* one upside down on top - so had double-depth.

    *yes it made a mess as some compost fell out!
     If I did that again, I would soak compost well, use a tray or plastic bag over each hole and turn with two people, then remove trays? 
    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,144
    I find tomatoes do better when grown deep in pots - not possble in grow bag unless you have those collar thingies.   I second the advice to grow in pots using good compost.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,916
    Cut them in half like this, one plant in each. Tomorite grow bags are good, I use them in the tomato GH. 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,953
    That's very impressive Lyn.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,319
    I have always grown my tomatoes in seed compost bags. I 1/2 fill them with garden compost, roll the tops down to make lifting handles and add more compost as the plants grow. I stand them in cheap washing up bowls as drip trays and also punch some extra holes in the bottoms for drainage. Much cheaper than buying pots as they can be reused for several years. I put tripods of canes in as support. I can see no reason why you shouldn't continue using the bags you already have unless you feel they are too small. They are much better than Gro bags which I gave up as useless years ago. Too shallow, not enough nutrients, difficult to move, expensive and only useable once.
  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970
    Have always decanted the growbag compost into 10" pots one bag fills three pots, pots sit on a hole less tray filled with shingle chippings to allow for drainage, roots can go into the chippings, done this for many years with good results, using tomato fertilizer.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,114
    I've always used pots too, although Lyn's setup is very impressive, and the best way to use those bags probably.
    I've also done something similar to you cornelly - when I lived in a house with a large conservatory. Ideal for toms, and as it's pointless growing them outdoors here, I applied the same method using pots, trays and gravel, with great results. It was quite difficult to keep them well enough watered, but I had a great crop from them.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,369
    I don't get how growbags became so popular. Tomato plants seem to do much better with a good 20cm or so planting depth, they don't take up any less room than pots and they're a pain to water. Convenience culture again I suppose.
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • watlinggwatlingg Posts: 20
    Many thanks for all your replies; will plant in normal deep compost bags.
    Regards
    Glenys
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