Why Growing Tomatoes Directly In A Bag Of Potting Soil Is Actually A Brilliant Idea

If you're looking for an easy way to start a garden that includes succulent tomatoes, there's a method that may sound strange at first, but actually works. Planting tomatoes inside a bag of potting soil has numerous advantages, and it's not difficult to do. You just need to follow a few tips.

When you plant tomatoes in a bag of potting soil, you'll note that many of the same tips for creating a vegetable garden as a beginner will work to promote healthy plants. The process requires fresh potting soil, which is very high-quality when it's still inside the bag. Fresh soil in the bag is a nutrient-rich matrix that will nourish your plants and help them get established. Plus, there are no roots from nearby plants or trees crowding out the new root system. Using a bag of potting soil as an easy container to hold your tomatoes is also cheaper and more convenient than using a store-bought pot. In addition to tomatoes, any plant that doesn't require deep rooting will grow successfully in the bag, including lettuce, kale, cabbage, broccoli, and more. Choose veggies that can be grown in a pot, and you'll be almost guaranteed to have a successful harvest. 

To begin, you'll need a bag of potting soil, a utility knife, plants or seeds, mulch, and a space to place the bag. You can put it in your garden where you'd usually keep containers, on top of a raised bed, or directly on the ground. Then slice a few holes in the bottom to create drainage, flip the bag top-side up, make an X-shape cut, and fold over the flaps at each spot where you'd like to set the plants, being mindful not to overcrowd them. Set your seeds or plants in the opening, then add mulch to cover the area. As an alternative to making holes for each plant, you can cut out the whole top section of the bag, leaving a small border to contain the soil, and then plant liberally across the top of the whole bag. A single bag of soil could potentially hold multiple plants. 

You will also need to take the climate into account to determine the best time to plant your tomatoes. Generally, if you're planting tomatoes outside, wait until the last frost has passed and the ground temperature is steadily at or above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Then sit back and enjoy watching your tomato or vegetable plants grow.