Thanks for this opportunity. Been trying to get decent tomatoes for years with little success. I live in Calhoun county, Illinois zip 62045. My property has no flat spot for gardening so I'm thinking container. I have a 140 gallon container that is 56" long 32" wide 18" deep = 18.6 cubic feet. Would this be a suitable tub to grow in, if so what soil should I fill it with and how many plants?

LenH said: Thanks for this opportunity. Been trying to get decent tomatoes for years with little success. I live in Calhoun county, Illinois zip 62045. My property has no flat spot for gardening so I'm thinking container. I have a 140 gallon container that is 56" long 32" wide 18" deep = 18.6 cubic feet. Would this be a suitable tub to grow in, if so what soil should I fill it with and how many plants?

That sounds like a great way to start gardening. How many depends on the ultimate size of the tomato plants to be grown.

Thanks, as far as how many I was thinking 2 some variety of cherry on one end and a slicing variety on the other. Yesterday I was at WalleyWorld & they had all their bagged dirt's on sale, I just didn't know how much of what to get Any suggestions

LenH said: Thanks, as far as how many I was thinking 2 some variety of cherry on one end and a slicing variety on the other. Yesterday I was at WalleyWorld & they had all their bagged dirt's on sale, I just didn't know how much of what to get Any suggestions

No, I am not very good at figguring these thing out. But go for it, sounds like a good plan for yummy fresh tomatoes.

I can tell you that it will take more soil than you think! It's a good idea to mix some compost along with the soil. Bagged compost is available in some big box stores or nurseries.

My tub holds 140 gallons or 18.6 cubic feet, how much more should I get? Should I use potting soil or garden soil or compost or a mix??? I would like to get this tub filled & in place for planting next spring and while Wall Mart has the soil's on clearance sale

LenH said: My tub holds 140 gallons or 18.6 cubic feet, how much more should I get? Should I use potting soil or garden soil or compost or a mix??? I would like to get this tub filled & in place for planting next spring and while Wall Mart has the soil's on clearance sale

Don't use common dirt from the garden. Potting mix, not potting soil, is the besr.

There aware mixes being sold for container gardening. To have to buy that much product I would try to look at what would be bought, you don't want to buy up a lot of product and find it's horrible.

I just posted a couple links for soil calculators in the post I made on DIY GARDEN JOURNAL over in the 'Gardening Ideas' forum but will post here as well.

https://www.gardeners.com/how-...

https://www.soil3.com/how-much...

I am so cheap its almost painful so I usually buy whatever soil is on sale. Sometimes I'm lucky & its good quality potting soil but sometimes its garden soil. The last time I bought soil I actually bought garden soil because I was completely out & that's all they had. I already had a bag of poultry grit & a bag of perlite so I mixed them all together until I liked the look & feel. As I water, I will be adding fish fertilizer. We will see how this works.

In a couple larger containers to save on wasting my soil where its not necessary to fill the whole container with soil, I filled them part way with pine cones & sweet gum balls. I first soaked them in boiling water & then let them cool & dry. We have an abundant supply & I don't need any more popping up. Nor do I want to harbor any insects that might hitch a ride when I bring some of the smaller containers indoors.