How Many Tomato Plants Per City Picker?

The City Picker is a popular gardening system that allows you to grow plants in a small space, such as a balcony or patio. It consists of a container, a water reservoir, and a soil platform with built-in watering tubes. While the City Picker is versatile and efficient, the question arises: how many tomato plants can you fit in it?

The Size of the City Picker

The answer depends on the size of the City Picker. The standard model has dimensions of 24 inches in length, 20 inches in width, and 9 inches in height. This translates to a soil surface of 1.67 square feet, which can accommodate two to three tomato plants, depending on their size and growth habit.

However, there are larger and smaller versions of the City Picker, such as the Junior and the Plus models. The Junior measures 16 inches by 12 inches by 9 inches and has a soil surface of 0.67 square feet, which can hold one or two tomato plants. The Plus is 42 inches by 20 inches by 12 inches and has a soil surface of 5.83 square feet, which can host four to six tomato plants.

The Type of Tomato Plant

Another factor to consider is the type of tomato plant you want to grow. There are determinate and indeterminate varieties, which differ in size and growth pattern. Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain height and stop growing, while indeterminate varieties keep growing and producing until they are killed by frost or disease.

Determinate tomatoes are suitable for small containers because they are compact and do not require staking or pruning. They usually yield a crop of 2 to 3 pounds per plant and take around 70 to 80 days from planting to harvest. Indeterminate tomatoes, on the other hand, can grow up to 6 feet tall and need support and training to prevent them from sprawling. They produce a larger crop of up to 10 pounds per plant but take longer to mature, usually 80 to 100 days.

The Growing Conditions

The final factor to consider is the growing conditions of your City Picker. Tomatoes need full sun, which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. They also require fertile and well-drained soil, regular watering, and occasional feeding with fertilizer. If your City Picker is in a shady or windy location, or if the soil is poor or compacted, you may need to adjust the number of tomato plants to ensure their health and productivity.

In conclusion, the number of tomato plants per City Picker depends on the size of the container, the type of tomato plant, and the growing conditions. As a general rule, you can fit two to three determinate tomato plants or one to two indeterminate tomato plants in a standard City Picker, while larger or smaller models can hold more or less. Whatever your choice, remember to provide your tomatoes with the optimal care they need to thrive and produce delicious fruits.