| Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan | | | | 2. Have a pot that is a minimum of 12 inches |
| "There isn't enough room to grow tomatoes", you | | | | (preferably 18 inches) across at the top or even |
| might reply, but if you want to grow tomatoes in | | | | bigger |
| a small courtyard or on a patio there is a way to | | | | 3. Cover the holes on the bottom of the pot with |
| do it. What I am referring to is the growing | | | | fine mesh and fill the bottom 3 inches with small |
| method, espalier. This system grows plants up a | | | | rocks to help with drainage |
| trellis or support system by spreading the | | | | 4. Prepare the soil so that it is the right mix for |
| branches up and along it. In a courtyard a trellis is | | | | tomato plants and it will probably need 8-8-8 |
| placed against the wall and the container tomato | | | | fertilizer, organic compost and check for other |
| plant grown up it. | | | | nutrients as well |
| Why grow espalier tomatoes? | | | | 5. Plant the tomato seedling in the pot up to the |
| Growing espalier tomatoes in courtyards or on | | | | top 4 to 6 leaves (yes, that is right as the stem |
| patios has several benefits and the most popular | | | | will grow roots and be a strong plant to support |
| is that they can be grown by taking up only a | | | | the weight of the tomato tree) |
| small amount of space that is available. Another | | | | 6. During the growth of the plant spread the |
| benefit is that when the plant is spread out the | | | | branches left and right and tie to the trellis (if the |
| fruit gets maximum sunlight if it has been planted | | | | pot has been placed at the end of the trellis, train |
| in the right spot (they do need up to 8 hours | | | | the branches one way along the trellis). When |
| sunlight a day). The warmth from the wall also | | | | tying to the trellis use 2 inch stips of rage or old |
| speeds up the ripening time of the fruit. | | | | nylon stockings as they do not cut through the |
| The espalier system also makes tending the | | | | soft tomato stems. |
| tomato plant easier as all the branches are | | | | 7. Prune unnecessary branches coming from the |
| accessible and therefore control of pests and | | | | V-joints so that the branches that you kept have |
| diseases is easier. As the branches are spread out | | | | room to grow. |
| and the leaves get a better chance to dry, there | | | | All other requirements of growing a strong |
| is less chance of blight and other diseases taking a | | | | tomato plant apply to one growing in a container, |
| hold on the plant. | | | | whether espaliered or not. It will need fertilizer, |
| Prepare for growing the container tomato. | | | | and organic compost. One very important factor |
| Firstly, the right sunny location needs to be | | | | is that it will need watering every day. So when |
| decided. Healthy tomato plants need 6 to 8 hours | | | | you have got this all set up, sit back and enjoy |
| sunlight. Once the location is decided then the next | | | | the growing process and most of all those |
| steps can take place: | | | | delicious tomatoes at the end of the growing |
| 1. Decide on the trellis style, locate and attach it | | | | season. |
| to the wall | | | | |