Just for Fun - Retrospect/EOL

 If we were counting, this would have been about 15 weeks into our 'Just for Fun' series of articles about an experiment to show 'proof of concept' for the contention that one can successfully grow tomatoes in a container, in limited space (like a patio), without trellises or staking.. & we threw-in a chili pepper plant, just for fun.

Since we wanted to grow full-size tomatoes, not cherry tomatoes, we chose a dwarf tomato named Snakebite. In order to make it more interesting, we decided to grow this demonstration crop in 1 gal. containers. This photo shows the tomatoes, easily taking-up no more than 12" in front of a shelving unit & still allowing for easy access for a person to pass by.

By limiting container size, I hoped to restrict overall height & width, yet provide adequate water/nutrients for the plants. Another consideration was that these plants need to be able to take care of themselves most of the time, allowing for folks that need to go to an office job or away from home, so 1 watering/day except during exceptionally severe (hot)weather.

And, as this photo shows, we did grow tomatoes..but not enough of them. The seed company says that the unseasonable hot spell shut-down the plants, but that they will resume production as soon as the weather cools..we'll see.

The Hatch chili peppers have also produced limited quantities, but what they have produced is good quality, just not as large as commercially grown Hatch's. Is this due to the container sizes or did the "hot spell" slow down the chili's? My opinion is neither of those factors was the contributor, but that they were simply started later that they probably ought to be started..I will propagate chili's heretofore in Jan, rather than March. 

I will continue experimenting with tomato/chili cultivars to find those that fit our criteria for growth in small containers, moderate water requirements & produce good taste & size fruit, but this will be the last installment of our series. I will report on this small diversion from my tree collection, but not on a weekly or regular basis. Happy Gardening!