Hello everyone! I’m Cheryl. I moved to Los Angeles a little over 5 years ago from Singapore. I am an avid container gardener who enjoys providing tips and inspiration on IG by sharing ‘how to’ videos and step-by-step photos on how to grow just about anything in containers. My hope is that I am able to show that it doesn’t take much space to grow your own food.
Growing in containers mean that I can control exactly what goes into each pot and I know that it is 100% organic. I also like the versatility of being able to rearrange & move containers around easily according to the season, not having to weed or use any heavy equipment. I also like the overall look & versatility of containers.
1 of my favourite things to grow is Micro Tomatoes. I am lucky that I am able to grow them all year long inside on a sunny window sill. The sunlight they get from the SE facing window is enough to keep them happy.
My preferred size container is a 7 inch / 18cm container. I find that they fit well on my window sill and are large enough to be able to provide the micro tomato plants with enough space to grow. I start my seed directly in the container. I like that no transplanting or ‘hardening off’ is needed.
I grow my micro tomatoes in both terracotta and plastic. I like terracotta as it is porous and allows for air and water to flow through them. This is good for the roots but also means they can dry out quicker. Terracotta pots also tend to be heavier and if you’re not careful, can chip or break. Plastic is lightweight yet strong. It is available in every colour and allows you to design a space. Plastic isn’t porous so you don’t have to water the containers as frequently.
My tips for growing Micro Tomatoes are:
• Keep the soil moist during seed germination
• Don’t overwater the plant. On average I water my micro tomatoes 3x a week
• Don’t be afraid to prune the leaves as this ensures good airflow which will help keep your plant healthy
To find out more about Cheryl Miller and her container gardening in her garden in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains follow @mybrentwoodgarden on Instagram
