How to grow ring-culture tomatoes
Growing tomatoes in rings can create stronger plants and increase yields. Find out more, in our guide.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At its best | yes | yes | yes | |||||||||
| To do | yes | yes | yes |
Growing tomatoes with ring-culture pots involves surrounding the crop with a bottomless ring and adding layers of compost at 10-14 day intervals. This encourages the tomato to root from the stem so it can take up more water and nutrients than it would get from the growing bag alone. The result is vigorous, productive plants.
Ready-made ring culture pots cost about £10 for three, but you can make them easily by cutting the bottom of 20cm pots.
Find out how to grow ring-culture tomatoes, below.
You will need:
- Growing bags
- 20cm diameter pot (3)
- Secateurs
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Total time: 15 minutes
Step 1:
If making your own growing ring, start by cutting the bottom from a 20cm-diameter plastic pot using secateurs. If not, simply cut a hole in your growing bag and place the growing ring over it.
Step 2:
Plant the tomato in the compost, stake, firm and water well as you would normally. Then, add a 2-3cm layer of compost to the pot every 10-14 days, until it's full. Try to water the plant daily and give it a liquid feed every week.
Step 3:
Remove sideshoots from plants as you would normally. When fruits start to develop, remove leaves which would otherwise shade them, so they ripen fully.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
