Can You Plant Tomatoes In A Kiddie Pool?

Remember that kiddie pool that you stored away because your kids outgrew it? Well, you can always use it to sow vegetables in it. But can you plant tomatoes in a kiddie pool? You ask.

Yes, you can. Tomatoes have shallow roots and, therefore, can be planted in the pool as they’ll not have any issues with the limited space. Other plants you can grow in a kiddie pool include herbs, vegetables, and annual flowers. Ensure you set the pool where your tomatoes get direct sunshine. 

Read on to find out how you can grow your tomatoes underwater and the benefits of the method. 

It’s a fun project you can do as a family and enjoy fresh tomatoes from your pool garden. 

Can You Plant Tomatoes In A Kiddie Pool?

Yes, you can plant tomatoes in a kiddie pool. They have shallow roots and, therefore, won’t experience any difficulties growing in the constraints of a kiddie pool. However, you’ll need to modify it a bit.

 Follow the tips below to make your tomatoes thrive:

Soil

If the soil is heavy, it’s advisable to mix it with sand or peat moss to improve its texture and drainage. Ensure it’s balanced and healthy. In addition, it ought to be slightly acidic, with the ideal pH being between 6.5 and 6.8. 

Once you fill the pool with the mixture, add a slow-release fertilizer for tomatoes. It helps provide the necessary nutrients for your tomato crops to thrive. Nonetheless, avoid putting too much fertilizer by following the guide provided by the manufacturer to the letter. 

Seedlings

Use tomato seedlings instead of seeds as they grow slowly, taking too long to develop. In particular, avoid planting the seedlings too deep in the soil as it might cause difficulties with the development of the plant. 

Spacing 

Since tomato plants can grow to substantial sizes, you ought to adequately space them. As a result, they’ll be able to grow to their optimal size without any hindrance. 

You can place the plants 18 inches apart. 

Sunlight

Tomatoes require a lot of sunlight to grow well, and this explains why tomatoes grow well in gutters. Thus, avoid shaded areas and set your kiddie pool under direct sun. Sufficient sunshine equals big juicy tomatoes. 

Place the pool where the plants can get as much direct sunshine as possible to get the best results. Although they can survive on 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, they’ll thrive more if they can get 7-8 hours. 

Watering And Drainage

Tomatoes love moderately moist soils but hate soggy grounds. The plants require a lot of water to get big, juicy fruits. So, if you live in a hot, dry area, it’s advisable to water your plants daily. 

The soil in a kiddie pool tends to be drier and hotter. 

Therefore, you need to monitor the moisture content closely. To check if the soil is too dry, use your fingers. If it’s too dry, immediately water the plants to prevent them from drying up. However, if it’s not, hold off for a few days. Remember overwatering may cause the crop’s roots to rot, eventually killing the entire plant. Nonetheless, be consistent on the timing and the amount of water to prevent the tomato’s skin from splitting. 

To help with drainage, drill 1-inch holes on the bottom and side of the pool to allow the water to drain well. This way, water flows more freely. Most importantly, set the pool on bricks, ensuring the base is securely supported as wet soil can be pretty heavy, causing the bottom to give out.  

Can I Use A Kiddie Pool For A Garden?

Yes, you can use a kiddie pool for a garden. It’s a great way to reuse the old or outgrown pool and a fun activity to carry out as a family. Also, you can find it at garden sales for a low price. The kids can have a break from the gadgets and have some outdoor activities where they can help in converting the pool to a garden. In addition, they’ll learn how to grow their food. 

Below are some of the factors you can consider when planning to use a kiddie pool for a garden:

Set Up Location

A kiddie pool for a garden is ideal as it doesn’t take up a lot of space. You can place it on any surface or in your yard. What’s more, it’s pretty favorable for one renting a home as you can pack and carry it with you when you’re moving.  

A standard rigid kiddie pool is ideal—however, the bigger, the better for you. Most importantly, you should note that it becomes quite heavy and difficult to move when filled with soil. So, ensure you place it in the identified spot before filling it with soil. 

Additionally, it would be best if you didn’t place it on the lawn unless you want to suffocate the grass beneath. Also, it would help if you kept it off a wood deck as the moisture trapped beneath damages the wood. A large dirt area or patio would be ideal. 

Exposure To Sunlight

You may place it in an accessible area without shade where your plants get enough sunshine. There shouldn’t be trees nearby as they’ll block the sun. As a result, the plants grow tall but not wide enough for optimum fruit production. 

However, if you’re planning to plant crops requiring less sunlight, look for a spot with shade. 

The Drainage

Ensure you drill holes at the bottom of the pool so that water drains well. A lot of water can make the plant’s roots rot. Hence, it’s advisable to water your crops when you notice your soil looking dry unless the crops require the ground to be consistently moist to thrive. 

 Once your plants are mature, you can transfer them to a garden bed, especially if they require more space. 

The only downside of using a kiddie pool as a garden is that it’s prone to cracking during winter. Therefore, the pool garden idea may not work if you live in cold zones. 

What Plants Can Grow In Kiddie Pool? 

Any plant with shallow roots can grow in a kiddie pool, including most vegetables and annual flowers. Leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce would do well as they thrive in wet soil, which helps keep them cool and moist. 

Some other great choices to grow in the pool are herbs such as rosemary, thyme, mint, oregano, lavender, or basil. 

Additionally, plants such as beans and tomatoes, which need a lot of sunshine for maximum optimum yields, can be grown in the pool.  

Flowers such as petunias and marigolds can also be grown here. In addition, pansies would be ideal as they require just a foot from each other. 

You can also grow strawberries in a kiddie pool. However, it’s advisable to transfer the strawberry plants once the seedlings mature as they require ample space between them when growing. 

Can Tomatoes Grow Under Water

Yes, tomatoes can grow underwater using a hydroponics system which refers to growing plants in water containing necessary nutrients. Interestingly, you avoid problems such as diseases and pest control together with weed issues. 

What’s more, your plants grow and mature more quickly and yield more fresh and tasty fruits. They focus their energy above the root zone growth as they’re constantly supplied with sufficient nutrients. 

Therefore, they don’t need to use their energy to develop extensive roots to search for nutrients. You can use Rockwool or gravel to support the roots. 

Once you plant your tomato seeds, ensure you place them in areas where the temperature ranges between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. To allow them to germinate properly, you water them several times a day. 

Then, after germination, apply the hydroponic nutrient solution and ensure the seedlings get enough sunshine daily. Next is thinning and leaving the most robust seedlings when the first true leaves pop. 

After 2-3 weeks, you can transfer the strongest seedlings into the growing troughs. It’s advisable to space out the seedling to allow optimum growth. 

All the nutrients required by the plants are in the hydroponic solutions. Monitor the water level and add water to the hydroponics system as needed. In addition, replenish the nutrients as required to maintain the appropriate levels. 

FAQS

Can Tomato Plants Stay In A Kiddie Pool?

Yes, tomato plants can stay in a kiddie pool for a life span. Nevertheless, ensure you don’t overcrowd them to prevent nutrition and space competition. Otherwise, you’ll end up not getting any yields. 

Conclusion

Can you plant tomatoes in a kiddie pool, therefore?”. Indeed. I have also explained how to go about it and offered tips you can apply to ensure you get optimal yields. 

What’s more, you’ve learned how to ensure your soil is well drained. It’s advisable to space the plants to give each enough space to allow your tomatoes to grow to their optimum size. 

However, if you don’t have enough soil but have lots of water, you can consider using the hydroponic system to grow your tomatoes.