Below are basic instructions for planting a tomato plant in a container.

• Place a 1 to 2" layer of gravel in bottom of pot for improved drainage.
• Use a professional potting mix to fill container to a level that will allow your plant to sit with the top edge of its rootball approximately 1/2 to 1" below top rim of the container. Professional potting mixes will hold moisture evenly. Avoid using cheap grade, dollar-a-bag potting "soils" as they do not hold moisture as evenly. If you want to save a little money on the soil, mix potting mix and cheap grade potting soil at a 50/50 ratio.

TIP: Add Calcium. It's not a bad idea to add a teaspon of hydrated lime to each gallon of potting soil to balance pH. Hydrated lime is rich in calcium and is absolutely great for the tomatoes. This calcium prevents the blossoms from rotting later on down the line. You don't want to start the soil too wet. Adding water a little at a time until you can get just about 2 or 3 drops of water out of it when you squeeze. Anything more than that and you will want to dry the soil out some before you start to use it.

• If you intend to use a stake, put the stake a little off center in the pot.
• Gently remove the tomato seedling you intend to grow in the container from the pot was growing in.
• Set root ball or plug in the soil in the container and make necessary adjustments to insure that the top edge of the root ball will sit 1/2 to 1" below the rim of the container.
• Backfill with potting mix around rootball, tamping as you go, until the the level of potting mix is even with the top edge of root ball.
• Water thoroughly and add more potting mix if settling occurs during watering.
• Apply a 1/2" layer of shredded wood mulch or spaghnum moss to soil surface to help retain moisture, and act as a barrier between soil and the leaves of your tomato plant.
• If you intend on using a tomato cage as a support for plant, install and now your done with the planting process.