One big advantage to growing tomatoes in containers is that you can grow them just about anywhere with lots of sunlight. You can move them to protect them from bad cold spells, and sneak a few extra weeks into the growing season. With a little extra attention to watering, you will be rewarded with a bumper crop of tomatoes.

The Keys to successful tomato container plantings include:

The container: A standard type pot with a diameter of at least 12 inches is recommended is a good choice. It must have drainage holes in the bottom to avoid root rot. Half whiskey barrels and and bushel baskets can be used too.

Choose Your Tomato: Most varieties of tomato will grow in a container, but make certain that the variety that you choose fits the area you've chosen. Choose smaller tomatoes like cherry tomatoes for hotter climates since they will set fruit longer. Sweet 100 is always a favorite.

Getting Started: The easiest way to start the plants it to buy them from the nursery. If you can't find what you want at the local nursery, you may want to start your own using peat pellets or pots.

Your container soil: In a container you can mix the soil as you wish to give you the best yields. Always use lots of organic matter to improve drainage. A soil mix of one part each of potting soil, perlite, sphagnum peat moss and compost is good. Tomatoes usually require some type of fertilizer. Make certain that it's a fertilizer for tomatoes.

Planting in the container Fill the container most of the way with your soil mix. Put the soil mix around the plant up to the first set of true leaves. Water and add more soil until it comes close to the top of the container.

Staking your tomatoes: Some tomato plants will need to be staked. Do this when you plant so you don't damage the roots inserting the stakes later. Tomato cages or stakes can be used.

Water your tomatoes at least once a week, make certain they are staked properly, add fertilizer again when needed, and enjoy your tomatoes. Put them in the garage for that first freeze of the fall, and hope for an extra week or two in your growing season.