container growing questions

[Grace and Granola]

So, two weeks ago, I planted some seeds indoors with my 3 and 4yo boys. We planted them in little plastic party cups. The cherry tomato seeds were so tiny that the boys had a hard time just getting one into each cup, so now I have these little cups with 3-4 sproutlings growing So, do I need to pinch them back so there is just one per cup, or can I separate them when I transplant into larger containers or... what?


Also, can someone tell me just what I need in my containers. I have heard a mix of opinions....vermiculite, peat moss, potting soil, top soil, compost, fertilizer.....help! I will be using 5 gallon buckets and possibly some rubbermaid containers along with any other make shift container I can find.

Thanks!

[Shellie]

While I would be tempted to separate them when you transplant them, the general rule would be not to. In fact, I would transplant them all together and then pinch it back to one after they settle from being moved.

As far as mix, my favorite is turning out to be mostly really good compost or an organic planting mix heavy in compost. I have used a mix of 1/3 peat, 1/3 vermiculite and 1/3 compost but the plants in mostly compost (about 75-80%) are doing the best. I've mixed some sand into compost with a little peat and vermiculite (plan to change to perlite when I run out) and am happy with that mix. Not a huge fan of a high percentage of peat now that I've tried other things.

[Pepper44]

I used top soil (without any weed killing additives or anything) with about 25% compost mixed in when I did tomatoes in containers. I also threw some crushed egg shells into the mix.

I always separate my seedlings when I transplant them, and if there are some that are closely intertwined I just leave them together. Leaving them stuck together hasn't ever really caused an issue for me--last year in my garden (not containers) I had 6 ft. tall tomato plants that fell over and spread everywhere. They produced so many tomatoes, they were still making fruit after the first frost. It was crazy.

The only time I have not had tomato success was when I tried 5 gallon buckets with a single plant in each. They didn't like that for some reason and each plant made like 2 tomatoes.

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by Pepper44

I used top soil (without any weed killing additives or anything) with about 25% compost mixed in when I did tomatoes in containers. I also threw some crushed egg shells into the mix.

I always separate my seedlings when I transplant them, and if there are some that are closely intertwined I just leave them together. Leaving them stuck together hasn't ever really caused an issue for me--last year in my garden (not containers) I had 6 ft. tall tomato plants that fell over and spread everywhere. They produced so many tomatoes, they were still making fruit after the first frost. It was crazy.

The only time I have not had tomato success was when I tried 5 gallon buckets with a single plant in each. They didn't like that for some reason and each plant made like 2 tomatoes.

Well that's interesting...it's exactly what I was planning to do!

[Pepper44]

Originally Posted by Grace and Granola

Well that's interesting...it's exactly what I was planning to do!

I had better success when I used those big rubbermaid totes--like 18 gallons or larger. I (well DH actually) drilled three nickel sized holes across the bottom, then I laid newspaper over the holes to keep the dirt in, set the tubs up on bricks for drainage space, filled with dirt, and planted 2 plants in each.

That's what I do with all of my containers now. This year I'm trying carrots and radishes in a big rubbermaid tub, they're growing great so far but we'll see how well they do once I try to harvest them...

I've got four dwarf trees set up the same way too, 2 in each container. (They are quite a bit bigger than the 18 gallon ones. I'm not sure what size DH bought.) I just planted the dwarf trees last week as 2-3 foot sticks and they're already growing leaves!

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by Pepper44

I had better success when I used those big rubbermaid totes--like 18 gallons or larger. I (well DH actually) drilled three nickel sized holes across the bottom, then I laid newspaper over the holes to keep the dirt in, set the tubs up on bricks for drainage space, filled with dirt, and planted 2 plants in each.

That's what I do with all of my containers now. This year I'm trying carrots and radishes in a big rubbermaid tub, they're growing great so far but we'll see how well they do once I try to harvest them...

I've got four dwarf trees set up the same way too, 2 in each container. (They are quite a bit bigger than the 18 gallon ones. I'm not sure what size DH bought.) I just planted the dwarf trees last week as 2-3 foot sticks and they're already growing leaves!

Thanks for the tips!

[Indigo73]

Originally Posted by Grace and Granola

Well that's interesting...it's exactly what I was planning to do!

I usually do 2 -3 plants per bucket. I think the more roots, help keep the moisture in...

My entire garden is 5 gallon (veggies) or 1 gallon (flowers) buckets.

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by Indigo73

I usually do 2 -3 plants per bucket. I think the more roots, help keep the moisture in...

My entire garden is 5 gallon (veggies) or 1 gallon (flowers) buckets.

That is great to know. I thought it seemed like a waste to have just one plant, but I don't want to crowd them. This is our first year, so it will all be an experiment!