What Is a Patio Variety? Compact Crops for Containers
A patio variety is a compact cultivar bred to grow well in a container. Clemson Cooperative Extension advises looking for names with terms like patio, balcony or bush. Many of these tomatoes have determinate or semi determinate habits that stop growing at a set height and suit a deck or balcony.
The short answer
A patio variety is a compact crop cultivar suited to pots. Clemson Cooperative Extension notes names often include patio, balcony or bush. Patio Choice Yellow tomato reaches about 18 inches. Clemson advises a 14 to 20 inch container with drainage holes, at least six hours of sun plus close watering.
What makes a variety a patio type?
Clemson Cooperative Extension notes indeterminate tomatoes grow taller until frost, which makes them hard to manage in pots. Patio types have a compact habit. Not every determinate cultivar is compact, so check the height on the label.
| Cultivar | Habit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Patio Choice Yellow | About 18 inches | Clemson Cooperative Extension |
| Bush Early Girl | Under 3 feet | Clemson Cooperative Extension |
| Patio Princess | Suggested for containers | Iowa State University Extension |
| Little Sun Yellow | Cherry for containers | Iowa State University Extension |
Source: Clemson Cooperative Extension plus Iowa State University Extension.
Which crops come in patio varieties?
Tomatoes are the most common. University of Wisconsin Madison Extension lists vegetable varieties well suited to containers on a window sill, balcony, deck or door step. University of New Hampshire Extension advises determinate patio or container type tomatoes for pots.
How big a container do they need?
Clemson Cooperative Extension advises a 14 to 20 inch container for most compact cultivars. A five gallon bucket with holes drilled in the bottom also works. Iowa State University Extension advises at least 2 gallons for cherry tomatoes plus 4 gallons for standard ones.
How to: step by step
- Choose a cultivar with patio, balcony or bush in the name.
- Check the plant height on the label.
- Pick a 14 to 20 inch pot with drainage holes.
- Fill it with a soilless potting mix.
- Set it where it gets six hours of sun.
- Add a cage at planting if it grows over 2 feet.
Troubleshooting
Plant tipping over: the pot is too small for the top growth. Clemson Cooperative Extension advises a larger container.
Fruit cracking: watering is uneven. Iowa State University Extension notes inconsistent watering causes cracking plus blossom end rot.
Plant outgrowing the pot: the cultivar is not compact. Check the label height before buying.
For related reading see garden microclimates for cannabis, cannabis growing containers plus fabric pots for cannabis. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Vegetable varieties for containers, University of Wisconsin Madison Extension
- Tomatoes in containers, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
- Growing tomatoes in containers, Iowa State University Extension
- What is the best way to grow tomatoes in a container?, UNH Extension
FAQ
Do patio tomatoes need a cage?
Clemson Cooperative Extension advises adding a cage or other support at planting for cultivars that grow taller than two feet. A cage holds fruit laden branches. University of New Hampshire Extension notes conical wire trellises with two rings work well in most containers for compact tomato plants.
Can patio varieties grow in the ground?
Yes. Patio types are bred for a compact habit, not for pots alone. Iowa State University Extension notes containers suit spots like a patio where a garden bed cannot be set up. In the ground they still stay small, which suits tight beds or edges of a vegetable plot.
How often should containers be watered?
Clemson Cooperative Extension notes container tomatoes need close monitoring and may need daily watering in summer. University of New Hampshire Extension advises watering once the top two inches of mix are dry until water drains from the bottom. Iowa State University Extension advises never letting the soil dry completely.
How much sun do patio varieties need?
Clemson Cooperative Extension notes tomatoes need at least six hours of full sun. Iowa State University Extension advises at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Place the pot where it is easy to reach for watering plus harvest and where it gets sun for most of the day.
How should patio tomatoes be fed?
Clemson Cooperative Extension advises a balanced timed release fertilizer at planting or a water soluble fertilizer once a week. Iowa State University Extension notes many potting mixes contain slow release fertilizer, so feeding may not need to begin until midsummer.
