Marianne's Response

What Should Soil Composition Be for Growing Tomatoes?

What should my soil composition be for growing good tomatoes?

Posted by Jerome Cavanna on September 13, 2022

Marianne's Response

Tomatoes like soil that is fertile, well drained and moisture retentive. Add scoops of compost to potting soil or mix in compost to your regular soil if your soil does not hold moisture. The soil does not need to be too rich as there should be a balance of green leaves and fruit on the plants. I have good luck with potting soil, a few scoops of compost added and an application of Osmocote Plus in the spring. The young plants need nitrogen and the mature plants like more potash and the Osmocote supplies both of these nutrients  when the plants need it. Tomatoes also need calcium to prevent blossom end rot which the Osmocote delivers.  Young plants need more water than mature plants as once the fruit forms they seem to have more flavor if the soil dries out a bit.  I see lots of tomato sandwiches in your future.   Keep growing, Marianne Binetti