Different Tomato Roots – How Deep Do They Go – Structure Of The Roots – Promoting Growth – Choosing The Best Spot – Tomato Plants In Containers – Best Soil Type – Issues – Cherry Tomatoes – FAQ
The way that tomato plants grow their roots can be a very interesting fact and also useful one to know, that way you can pair it up with other plants that either match or complement the way it grows.
Depending on the way your soil is built up and how loose it is, the tomato roots can grow about 2 – 3 deep at least. That is if you have a healthy soil that also promotes the continued growth of the plant. Below we will take a closer look at the way tomato roots are grown.
Different Tomato Roots
There are different ways that the roots of the tomato plant grow. It could either be a long root, also called taproot. The other option being the more thinly spread out root system, also referred to a more fibrous root system.
There isn’t a root system that is better than the other. But if you want to pair your tomato plant with other closely plant companion plants then it’s worth knowing these things. The taproot tomato varieties for example are great to have growing next to herbs for example. Herbs like sage and oregano will grow thin and non competitive roots that stay mostly at the surface. That way you can get more efficient with the space you have at your disposal.
How Deep Do Tomato Roots Grow
The roots of a tomato plant will grow the deepest if it’s a taproot variety. These cna grow as deep as 2 – 3 feet if you have a healthy root system. Often achieved by keeping the soil slightly damp and well fertilized. That will help ensure you have a healthy root system able to continue to grow and flourish.
The fibrous root system will stay much closer to the surface but can still grow a few feet deep in the soil. The roots are thinner and more dependent on each other then just one single main root.
The Structure Of Tomato Roots
There is basically two different structures to the way tomato roots grow. They are specific to the variety of tomato that you are growing. Usually this information will be noted on the package of tomato seeds that you bought.
But to put it simply, there is taproot which is the structure where there is a single main root growing deep. The other being the fibrous root system where there is a large system and network of roots growing almost like a bundle together.
How To Promote Tomato Roots
The most proven way of getting a healthy root system would be to have a healthy soil that the plant is growing in. That means to properly fertilize the soil every now and again. We like to use eggshells for this actually.
Eggshells have the added benefit of getting more calcium into the soil. This helps the plants have a better immune system. It reduces the risk of disease and pets starting to take a hold of the plants. In our experience it makes for a more robust plant able to provide great harvests too.
Choosing The Right Spot For Tomato Plants
You need to be aware of the plane that you are growing your tomato plant in. That means having a good soil that will support the growth of it and not hinder it. A slightly loose soil will be the best.
A less hard soil will make it easier for the roots to grow and dig deeper. Roots that are able to better establish themselves will have an easier time also passing on nutrients to the rest of the plant. A soil that is a bit looser will also make it easier for water to drain away. There will usually be some excess water that is not necessary for the plant to take up. Instead it’s better to let that drain away.
Tomato Roots In Containers And Pots
If you are growing tomatoes in a container, then you will most likely have a root system that is fibrous. That fits better for a restrained amount of soil for the plant to grow in. A taproot would eventually run out of soil to grow through.
So to put it simply, if you know you have a taproot variety of tomato then you should stay away from using containers to grow them in. It will do more harm than good in all honesty.
Best Soil For Tomato Roots
The absolute best soil for a tomato plant will be one that is slightly sandy and with some clay present too. It will help create a looser soil where the roots have an easier time to really dig down and get all the nutrients they need and further establish themselves.
But a loser soil also has the added benefit of helping lead excess water away. That makes it less likely that you will experience root rot. An issue where not enough oxygen can reach the roots and they begin to drown instead.
Tomato Root Issues
There are some more common issues than others when it comes to tomato roots. The issue we see the most is about overwatering the soil and causing the roots to start rotting instead. This will eventually have really detrimental effects to the overall health of the plant.
It will give off a smell from the soil that you should pretty easily be able to sniff out. It’s the roots beginning to rot. But there are also diseases that can take a hold of your plant. Signs of that happening could be that the leaves start wrinkling or curl up.
How Deep Do Cherry Tomato Roots Grow
Cherry tomatoes are a great plant to keep in containers or pots, meaning that they have a fibrous root system. They won’t grow as deep as taproot varieties, somewhere about 1 feet or so at most is normal.
If you were to dig up a cherry tomato plant you would see a big cluster of the root network. You can more or less say that cherry tomatoes will fill the container that it’s growing in with the roots.
FAQ
How Deep Should A Raised Bed Be For Tomatoes
A raised bed which is used for growing tomatoes should be atleast a foot deep. If you can manage that then you can grow cherry tomatoes, or bush tomatoes in general there. Otherwise you are better off growing them on freeland instead.
Do Tomato Roots Go Deep Or Wide
There is basically two different systems for tomatoes to grow their roots. Either in a long straight wya called the taproot system. But there is also the other one called fibrous root system. Here the roots are smaller and more like a bundle.
How Far Down Do Tomato Roots Grow
If you have a tomato variety with the taproot root system then you can expect it to grow as deep as 2 – 3 feet at most. That is if you have a healthy soil with encourages growth like that.
