You must be reading this blog, as you find the name patio tomato plants quite interesting. This tomato variety is called patio because it’s a special variety best suited to grow in smaller areas or gardens with limited space.
It has many different varieties with various sizes and colors. Some patio tomatoes are also pest or disease-resistant. Furthermore, they are also grown for ornamental purposes because it is perfect for patios and balconies.
These patio tomatoes are the determinate or semi-determinate, F1 hybrid variety called bush tomatoes. They are called bush tomatoes because of their short height, compactness, and prolific yield abilities.
They are highly productive and can produce 100 fruits per plant throughout the growing season. However, they ripen all at once; this is one of the habits of the determinate varieties.
Therefore, maybe you have more tomatoes than needed. But you can store them in a fridge or make different sauces to preserve them for longer use.
Keep reading this blog to learn how to grow this variety if you have a small space, and what are the benefits of growing patio tomatoes at home.
How to Grow Patio Tomatoes at Home?
Growing patio tomatoes at the ease of your home is a fruitful, easy, and enjoyable experience. Follow these steps to grow this delicious variety:
Step 1: Pick the Right Variety
First, choose the best determinate variety. It is important because the best cultivars can grow easily in limited space and are more suitable for containers. Here are some of the top varieties you may try:
- Patio Princess
- Tiny Tim
- Bush Early Girl
Step 2: Choose the Container
The second step is to pick the right container to allow space for maximum growth of your patio tomato plants. The perfect container size is 12 inches in diameter. This size can provide enough room for developing roots.
In addition to that, make sure that the container you use has a drainage system to avoid issues like waterlogging.
Step 3: Prepare the soil
Preparing the soil is important so that plants may get all the required nutrients for growth. Use a potting mix soil of very high quality and well-draining to fill the container. Add a mixture of compost and a slow-release fertilizer. But do not use garden soil in any way.
Step 4: Plant Your Tomatoes
When the soil is ready and well-prepared, plant the tomato seedlings deep in the soil. Bury two-thirds of them so they develop a strong root system and hold the plant firmly to the soil. Furthermore, keep the distance of 18-24 inches between the plants to get healthy growth.
Step 5: Routine Watering
Water your patio tomatoes daily, but avoid giving them too much water so that your soil doesn’t get waterlogged. Do not keep gaps in watering, as plants may dry out, or you may not get the desired fruit yield.
Step 6: Apply the Balanced Fertilizer
Use the balanced fertilizer that will fulfill the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium needs of your tomatoes. However, avoid over-fertilization because it may damage your plant and, in worst cases, may cause very low fruiting. Thus, use a fertilizer that meets your plant’s needs.
Step 7: Provide Support for Strong Plant Stability
To keep your plant in the upright position and to promote good air circulation, use the stakes, cages, and trellis. These not only support your tomato plants but also enhance their growth rate and better fruit quality and production.
Step 8: Daily Sunlight of 6-7 Hours
Tomatoes are sun-loving plants, so provide them with 6-7 hours of direct sun exposure to fully grow. They mostly need maximum exposure during the day for better results.
Step 9: Pruning for Better Fruit Production
Pruning is necessary to remove any unwanted suckers to direct the plant energy towards the fruit production. Taking care of the plant properly will keep it healthy and also reduce the risk of any diseases.
Step 10: Pest Control
Use the insecticides daily to keep the harmful pests and insects away. You can also use techniques like crop rotation and maintaining the proper sanitation system will help you prevent diseases and infections.
Step 11: Harvesting
When the tomatoes reach their peak color and are fully ripe, the last step is to harvest them as soon as possible. To do this, gently twist the fruit or cut it directly from the vine without damaging it. Harvesting on time will encourage the plant to produce more fruits.
Best Patio Tomato Varieties for Beginners
As we have mentioned earlier, many different varieties of patio tomato plants are famous for growing in small garden spaces. Below are some of these cultivars, but not limited to:
Patio Choice Yellow Cherry Tomato Variety
It is the F1 hybrid determinate variety of patio tomato best suited to grow in small spaces, hanging baskets, and container gardens. This variety is recently been introduced to the market.
It grows 1 inch to 2.5 cm in diameter and can reach a height of between 15 inches and 18 inches ( 38cm and 46cm tall). The harvesting time of this variety is 45 to 65 days, based on if the plant is transplanted or seeds are sown.
It is considered one of the fastest-growing cultivars of patio tomatoes and can set as many as 100 fruits. At the time of harvest, they have a yellow color with a mild and sweet taste. This variety is also ASS ( All Americas Selection) winner in 2017.
Patio Choice Red Cherry Tomato Variety
This variety is almost similar to the yellow one except for its color. It ripens with a fully bright red color. This variety is also best grown in hanging baskets and containers.
This determinate cherry tomato grows to 18 inches or 46cm tall. It can produce up to 1/2 ounces or 14 grams of small fruit. The maturity time of this variety is 65 days from seeds and 45 days from transplant.
It is a disease-resistant variety than its yellow cousin. At the time of harvest, you may see green color at first, but full ripeness is at a bright red color.
It has a sweet taste, and you can freely use both yellow and red varieties in the same recipes to make your dishes more fancy and flavorful.
Altino Patio Tomato Variety
It is the F1 cocktail hybrid tomato variety developed by the Pro-Veg Seeds company based in the UK. This variety is developed because of the popularity of growing patio tomatoes in small spaces.
It is a high-fruit-producing variety with a good balance of acidic and sweet flavors. It is famous for its use in salads and cooking other dishes.
Moreover, they are smaller but slightly bigger than the cherry tomatoes. The size of the fruit is between 30 grams and 40 grams (1 to 1.5 Ounces).
Romello Patio Plum Tomato Variety
It is a mini plum-type tomato with 16 to 18 grams (0.56 Oz. to 0.28 Oz.) in weight. In 2014, this tomato variety also won an AAS award and also made by Pro-Veg Seeds. In the US, this variety is also marketed as Fantastico.
It can grow to a height of 9.8 inches to 12 inches or 25cm to 30cm tall and 20 inches or 50 cm wide. It is sweet in taste and resistant to late blight fungal disease. At the time of maturity, it has a bright red color, and if not mature, the color is green.
Sweetheart of the Patio Tomato Variety
This is one of the most cultivated varieties of patio tomato plants. This is why it is a sweetheart of a patio, and the name speaks for itself. The fruit grows to between 24 inches to 36 inches, or reaches 61 to 91cm in height.
The average fruit is 1 oz. or 28 grams. It is a very sweet tomato and can be freshly eaten after picking off the vine and enjoyed as a snack.
Heirloom Patio Tomato Variety
This tomato cultivar is also known as red house free-standing ( RHFS). It is famous among professional growers and is distributed through the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) in the US.
Nowadays, you will find many suppliers of this variety in the open market.
It is a semi-determinate potato leaf dwarf tomato. Its fruits have a big, round, flattened shape and weigh up to 250 grams (9 ounces). The plant grows to 14 inches or 35cm high.
It ripens from green to bright red. Its taste feels meatier from inside, but juicier compared to other varieties. It is a very delicious tomato and popular for making pasta and salsa dishes.
Characteristics of Patio Tomatoes
Patio tomatoes are the best choice among urban gardeners due to their ability to grow in less space. Here are some of the characteristics of this variety:
- They have a compact size and are usually smaller than the traditional tomatoes, which can easily grow to a height of 1 to 3 feet or 60 to 91 cm. They show bushy growth, which allows them to grow abundantly without sprawling.
- Patio tomatoes have many famous varieties that can easily grow in confined spaces and show higher yields. These varieties are “Patio Princess,” “Tiny Tiny,” “Bush Early Girl,” and “Balcony.
- These tomatoes have a determinate growth pattern. They grow to a specific height and then produce fruit within a specific timeline.
- They produce a higher amount of fruit even though they are of a smaller size. Their highly fruit-producing nature makes them the best plant among gardeners to get through the season.
- It comes in various colors and flavors. Flavors vary from sweet to acidic, and colors also vary from red to yellow and a few more.
- Patio tomatoes don’t require much care, and they are already resistant to many tomato diseases. If given balanced fertilizer and the right amount of direct sunlight, they can grow well and produce higher fruit in various growing conditions.
- This variety can get mature between 45-65 days after transplanting or sowing seed. Hence, you can enjoy the fresh tomatoes in less time.
- They also show beautiful flowering and can be grown in different ways, such as hanging baskets and decorative containers.
Advantages of Growing a Patio Tomato
With their high popularity to grow in the limited spaces, these beautiful and edible tomato varieties offer a range of other benefits that will surely make you grow them in your garden.
Here are some of the other advantages of patio tomatoes:
1. Perfect for Vertical Gardening
It is one of the standout features of these varieties is that they are a great option for vertical gardening. This can save you a lot of space on the ground. It is good for the urban areas where space is the problem, but by growing the tomatoes through vertical gardening, you may have a lot of free ground space.
2. High Yield
It is a gardener’s dream to always see their garden fill with lots of fruits. They produce a remarkable number of sweet and flavorful tomatoes.
3. Extended Growth Season
One of the best features about the patio tomatoes is their extended growing season. With the right optimal conditions, you can get a supply of tomatoes throughout the summer without providing much care.
4. Superior and Rich Taste
This variety has a superior and rich taste that can elevate the taste of your dishes. When you take the first bite of the freshly picked patio tomato, the taste is truly delicious than other varieties.
5. Nutritional Value
They are not just packed with beauty and higher yield, but they are also a huge source of vitamins and antioxidants. Making them a part of your diet can greatly support your health.
6. Visual and Lively Appeal
Patio tomatoes also make your gardens, patios, balconies, or outdoor space look beautiful and aesthetic. They can easily catch the eye of visitors and also add vibrancy to your surroundings.
Value of Patio Tomatoes in World Cuisines & Culture
Patio tomatoes have huge cultural and culinary significance worldwide. They are the major ingredient in many dishes such as salads, sauces, and salsas. Apart from that, they are also used as a topping in pizzas.
They add the colors and versatility to the kitchen and give you a great chance to experiment with them in your favorite dishes. Additionally, in many cultures worldwide, patio tomatoes are considered a symbol of health, vitality, and abundance.
This is because they are used in making many Italian sauces and Mediterranean dishes, along with other fresh ingredients. Their use not only enhances your food taste but also connects you with the rich traditions related to food.
How Patio Tomatoes Fit the Solanaceae Family Classification?
It fits the classification as it’s an annual plant. This means it completes its whole lifecycle in a single growing season. Due to these unique characteristics, this variety stands out from other tomato varieties.
Annual plants like patio tomatoes germinate, grow, flower, and produce seeds all within a few months. However, the perennial plants have a longer life span and can produce fruits for several years.
This simple information helps many botanists choose the plants that save their time and give them more fruitful results.
How the Patio Tomatoes Survive in Various Environments?
The genetic makeup and annual lifecycle nature of the patio tomatoes allow them to withstand and easily adapt to different environments. They can cope with the different moisture levels, temperatures in both the urban and rural areas.
Additionally, patio tomatoes start flowering and fruiting early in the season. By doing so, they can avoid the damage from frost and increase their yield before the growing season ends.
This ability makes them a favorite plant to grow due to their high reproductive success. Here are the different growth stages of patio tomatoes:
Germination: This is the initial stage, and it takes about 5-10 days if all the optimal conditions are met. At this stage, seeds begin to sprout.
Vegetative Growth: It is a rapid growth phase and takes 30-40 days, and at this stage plant develops stems and leaves.
Flowering: The plant starts to flower 45 days before germination.
Fruiting: After flowering, patio tomatoes will continue to produce fruits until any environmental conditions, like frost, hinder their growth.
Tips to Maximize the Growth of Patio Tomato Plants
Use the container gardening method. This will save you a lot of time and give you better control over soil quality and drainage. Here are some of the tips to get better results:
- Plant the seeds at their optimal timing because this will boost the yield of your tomatoes.
- Sow the new seeds every few weeks. Maintain the interval of 2-3 weeks. This will keep your garden productive.
- Take very good care of your plants from the frost. Use cloches or row covers to protect them from the cold seasons.
- Implement staggered planting techniques. It will ensure that some plants are finishing their life cycle, but others are just starting to produce.
By following these useful strategies, you can get the most out of your patio tomato plants and can fully enjoy your gardening time.
Wrapping Up
Patio tomatoes are one of the best choices for gardeners who want to grow fresh, juicy tomatoes in small spaces. You can easily grow them on your balcony, patio, backyard, or garden.
All you need to select the best patio tomato variety, prepare the soil with the top potting soil, and place your containers in the sunlight so that it is ready for healthy growth and higher fruit production.
Container gardening gives you more control over space. You can enjoy the gardening experience without occupying a large space. You also have more control over watering, drainage, and pest management. With daily care and sanitation, you can get higher yields of patio tomatoes throughout the summer.
Hence, if you are looking to grow tomatoes without a traditional garden, pick the top patio tomato seeds and sow them in your pots today. It’s a fun and rewarding gardening experience to fill your table with delicious tomatoes, even with less space.