How to Create the Best Soil for Tomatoes—and Grow Bigger, Healthier Plants

Tomatoes are undoubtedly one of many gardeners' main priorities in summer. The key to cultivating healthy tomato plants always starts with the soil you plant them in. Generally, tomatoes need well-draining, nutrient-rich soil to yield a bountiful harvest. To help you produce a thriving crop, we consulted gardening experts who shared their tips for creating the best possible soil for tomatoes.

Meet Our Expert

• Teri Speight, landscape gardener, gardening coach, podcast host, and co-author of The Urban Garden

• Angela Judd, certified master gardener, author of How to Grow Your Own Food, and founder of Growing in the Garden

Best Soil for Garden Tomatoes

Tomatoes grown in garden beds require good-quality soil with the right pH. "Tomato plants love soil that has a pH of 6.0 to 6.6," says gardening coach and author Teri Speight. "A well-draining soil with a dose of compost prior to planting is beneficial for successful tomato growth."

Loose, loam soil (a mix of clay, sand, and silt) is ideal for tomatoes. Sandy soil is also suitable as long as it is amended with compost to improve drainage and add a nutrient boost. "Having a good soil, enriched with nutrients, provides a good foundation for the roots to reach into the soil and enjoy the goodness found [there], instead of staying at the surface of the soil," says Speight.

Best Soil for Potted Tomatoes

Growing tomatoes in containers is a fun and easy project that allows you to enjoy them in almost any setting. For container-grown tomatoes, it's best to forgo traditional garden soils and use a soilless potting mix. These contain ingredients like perlite or coir (coconut fiber), designed to retain moisture while promoting drainage.

While soilless mediums retain moisture well, they still dry out faster than garden soils, so adequate watering is essential. To maintain plant health, Judd says to fertilize potted tomatoes more often than you would for garden plants. She notes that lower doses applied regularly work better than large feedings spaced far apart. "Keep an eye on your plants and adjust as needed," says Judd.

Building Healthy Soil for Tomatoes

If your current soil isn't ideal for growing tomatoes, you can amend it for healthier harvests. This is generally done before planting, but some amendments can be added with the tomato plants already in place.

Test Your Soil

Test your soil before amending it to learn what it is currently missing. A soil test will indicate the pH of your soil and how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are present, which can help you determine if any additional fertilizing is needed. Nitrogen can be beneficial when establishing tomatoes, but too much creates excessive vegetation.

"Testing the soil in either a flower or vegetable bed is important," says Speight. "Healthy plants thrive in a soil that fits their plant profile." She explains that if the soil is too lean, the plant will show signs of nutrient deficiencies, such as yellowing of foliage or minimal to small fruits. "A soil that is too high in nutrients will produce plants that are all foliage and virtually no fruit," she adds. "A well-balanced soil with a mid-range pH will make a noticeable difference to any tomato crop."

Add Compost

Mixing compost with existing garden soil is an excellent step to creating a solid foundation for healthy plants. "Compost is one of the best things you can add for tomatoes," says Judd. "It improves soil structure, helps it hold the right amount of moisture, and adds organic matter to feed the microbes in the soil. Those microbes break down the compost into nutrients your plants can use."

Consider Worm Castings

Worm castings improve soil fertility and plant growth. "I like to add worm castings along with compost for even more benefits," says Judd. "They add trace minerals, improve plant health, and can help tomatoes grow strong and productive."

Try Perlite

Perlite is a volcanic glass used in gardening due to its porous nature that improves aeration in garden soil. It helps the soil maintain an ideal balance between moist and well-draining, which prevents root rot and fungal diseases.

Add Mulch

Mulch is beneficial for tomatoes because it helps prevent the soil from drying out quickly, which puts stress on tomato plants. As the mulch breaks down throughout the growing season, it adds important nutrients to the soil. We recommend using leaf mold or wood chips as an organic alternative to dyed mulch.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart