If you're growing tomatoes in the vegetable garden, there's no need to use potting soil. Instead, amend the existing soil with compost, manure and peat moss to improve its drainage. If you're growing tomatoes in containers, though, potting soil is the way to go. It is lighter than garden soil so it drains well, and it's devoid of weeds and diseases. Potting soil is usually made of a mixture of peat, perlite and compost. How much additional fertilizer you need to add depends on the mixture.
Tomatoes grow in hundreds of cultivars, and reach over 5 feet tall in some situations. All tomatoes need plenty of food and water to succeed, with good drainage, warmth and sun exposure. Potting soil in pots or the outdoor garden may provide a good start for these plants. It doesn't provide adequate long-term nutrition or moisture retention. Combine potting soil with other amendments and fertilizers throughout the season to encourage lush tomato growth.
Garden soil
Tomatoes need deep, loose and acidic soil to thrive. Use potting soil as an amendment for garden tomatoes, but not as the sole growing foundation. Turn 1 inch of potting soil into the top 6 inches of garden soil, then add 2 inches of organic compost for nutrients and acidity. This foundation gives tomatoes good long-term support for growth.
Potting soil
Tomatoes in pots need richer, moister soil than garden tomatoes, as they dry more quickly in the restricted potting environment. The Ohio State University Extension recommends a potting mix of 1 part quick-draining potting soil, 1 part organic compost, 1 part perlite and 1 part sphagnum peat moss. This mixture provides better moisture and acidity than standard potting soil.
Fertilizer
Start outdoor and potted tomato plants with granular 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 fertilizer, per manufacturer directions, to encourage rooting. While some potting soils contain fertilizer or food, others do not. Potting soil alone cannot satisfy the short- or long-term tomato-growing needs. Add more fertilizer when the first fruit appears on tomatoes. Use granular balanced 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer for outdoor plants, per manufacturer directions, and reapply monthly thereafter. Use water-soluble 20-20-20 or 15-30-15 fertilizer on potted plants, and reapply weekly thereafter.
Water
Tomatoes require more than soil and fertilizer to grow. Put them in spots with full sunshine and air movement, and keep them from going dry. Give outdoor tomatoes 2 inches of water every week, and potted tomatoes 2 inches of water every three to four days. Proper soil maintains moisture to support the tomatoes between waterings. Always water the plants immediately after a feeding to help disseminate granular fertilizer.
Regular potting soil
Most potting mixes are low in nutrients because they contain mostly non-soil ingredients like peat moss and perlite. Tomatoes are fairly heavy feeders and will need frequent fertilizing to thrive. First, add a pelleted slow-release formula at the rate of 1 tablespoon per pot, or according to package directions when planting. Two weeks after planting, dilute a water-soluble fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or MIracle-Gro at the rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, or according to package directions. Water your tomato plants with this solution once a week for healthy, productive growth. Penn State University recommends switching to a high potassium formula, such as a 9-15-30 concentration, once the tomato plant begins to bloom.
Potting soil with fertilizer
Some potting soils already contain a slow-release fertilizer, but they're still probably not enough to feed tomatoes for an entire season. Most say they'll feed plants for up to three months, but tomatoes are heavier feeders than many other plants. If using a potting soil with fertilizer, skip the initial application of slow-release pelleted fertilizer, but continue the weekly feedings of soluble fertilizer.
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Growing conditions
In addition to adequate fertility, timely watering is essential for tomatoes growing in a container. Plants dry out quickly in pots, especially during dry, windy weather. Water the plants as often as needed to keep the soil evenly moist 1/2 inch beneath the soil surface. At the height of summer, you might need to water every day. Tomatoes also need six to eight hours of sunlight every day so place the pots in a sunny location. Stake or cage the plants to protect them from wind damage.
Varieties
When choosing tomatoes for containers, select compact, determinate plants. These plants were bred with container planting in mind and they lack the vigorous, sprawling growth of indeterminate types. A few to try include "Bush Early Girl" (Lycopersicon esculentum "Bush Early Girl"), "Patio Princess" (Lycopersicon esculentum "Patio Princess"), and "Super Bush Hybrid" (Lycopersicon esculentum "Super Bush Hybrid").
Garden soil
Tomatoes need deep, loose and acidic soil to thrive. Use potting soil as an amendment for garden tomatoes, but not as the sole growing foundation. Turn 1 inch of potting soil into the top 6 inches of garden soil, then add 2 inches of organic compost for nutrients and acidity. This foundation gives tomatoes good long-term support for growth.
Potting soil
Tomatoes in pots need richer, moister soil than garden tomatoes, as they dry more quickly in the restricted potting environment. The Ohio State University Extension recommends a potting mix of 1 part quick-draining potting soil, 1 part organic compost, 1 part perlite and 1 part sphagnum peat moss. This mixture provides better moisture and acidity than standard potting soil.
Fertilizer
Start outdoor and potted tomato plants with granular 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 fertilizer, per manufacturer directions, to encourage rooting. While some potting soils contain fertilizer or food, others do not. Potting soil alone cannot satisfy the short- or long-term tomato-growing needs. Add more fertilizer when the first fruit appears on tomatoes. Use granular balanced 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer for outdoor plants, per manufacturer directions, and reapply monthly thereafter. Use water-soluble 20-20-20 or 15-30-15 fertilizer on potted plants, and reapply weekly thereafter.
Water
Tomatoes require more than soil and fertilizer to grow. Put them in spots with full sunshine and air movement, and keep them from going dry. Give outdoor tomatoes 2 inches of water every week, and potted tomatoes 2 inches of water every three to four days. Proper soil maintains moisture to support the tomatoes between waterings. Always water the plants immediately after a feeding to help disseminate granular fertilizer.
Potting soil
Regular potting soil
Most potting mixes are low in nutrients because they contain mostly non-soil ingredients like peat moss and perlite. Tomatoes are fairly heavy feeders and will need frequent fertilizing to thrive. First, add a pelleted slow-release formula at the rate of 1 tablespoon per pot, or according to package directions when planting. Two weeks after planting, dilute a water-soluble fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or MIracle-Gro at the rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, or according to package directions. Water your tomato plants with this solution once a week for healthy, productive growth. Penn State University recommends switching to a high potassium formula, such as a 9-15-30 concentration, once the tomato plant begins to bloom.
Potting soil with fertilizer
Some potting soils already contain a slow-release fertilizer, but they're still probably not enough to feed tomatoes for an entire season. Most say they'll feed plants for up to three months, but tomatoes are heavier feeders than many other plants. If using a potting soil with fertilizer, skip the initial application of slow-release pelleted fertilizer, but continue the weekly feedings of soluble fertilizer.
No Matches Found. Please try your search again.
Growing conditions
In addition to adequate fertility, timely watering is essential for tomatoes growing in a container. Plants dry out quickly in pots, especially during dry, windy weather. Water the plants as often as needed to keep the soil evenly moist 1/2 inch beneath the soil surface. At the height of summer, you might need to water every day. Tomatoes also need six to eight hours of sunlight every day so place the pots in a sunny location. Stake or cage the plants to protect them from wind damage.
Varieties
When choosing tomatoes for containers, select compact, determinate plants. These plants were bred with container planting in mind and they lack the vigorous, sprawling growth of indeterminate types. A few to try include "Bush Early Girl" (Lycopersicon esculentum "Bush Early Girl"), "Patio Princess" (Lycopersicon esculentum "Patio Princess"), and "Super Bush Hybrid" (Lycopersicon esculentum "Super Bush Hybrid").
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