Are you wondering what is the best soil for tomatoes? There is not just one best soil for tomatoes; rather there are several different types of soil that make up a good and healthy tomato garden. The proper type of soil for growing tomatoes should vary according to the region. This article will help you in choosing the proper type of soil for growing tomatoes in your region.
The most suitable type of soil for growing tomatoes is known as medium to heavy clay or loamy potting soil. It is an ideal type of soil, if the plants are being grown in areas that receive full sun light. However, it should also have good water holding capacity and good drainage capabilities as well. In addition, the potting soil comes with microorganisms, fertilizers, composting aids, natural amendments and most importantly it contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and potash.
The best garden potting soil combines the elements that are necessary for good plant nutrition. It should have sufficient quantities of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, sodium, iron and organic compounds. The organic compounds include humic acid, trace elements, zinc, manganese, copper, niacin, lignin and vitamins C, E and K. All these ingredients are essential for making the plants grow and thrive. It is not sufficient that garden soil comes with all the above mentioned elements, but the soil should at least have adequate amounts of each component.
Most tomato varieties need slightly less water than the hybrid varieties. Therefore, they do not require too much fertilizing. For this reason, you should reduce the nitrogen levels in your soil mix. Tomato plants usually need ten percent nitrogen to thrive, while for other vegetables and herbs, it may be as low as seven percent.
Once you decide on a pH level, another thing that you should take into consideration is the frequency with which you water your growing tomatoes. Tomatoes are best fed from the bottom so frequent watering is not recommended. Instead, you can use fertilizer as and when necessary. A general rule of thumb is one to two pounds of fertilizer per four-inch pot. Use fertilizers according to the type of plant you have.
You can also make your own organic soil mix for growing tomatoes. However, you will have to experiment a bit to come up with a proper one. Keep in mind that the most ideal potting mixture should combine chalk, perlite, sand, coconut fiber and sand in the proper proportion. Another option would be to buy a commercial potting mix your own ingredients.
There are three basic types of soil: alkaline, silt-free, and clay loam. These three are the basis for a good organic soil mix for growing tomatoes. If you can’t find any of these in your area, then consider making your own by combining one part each of sand, perlite and coconut fiber with one part each of wood ash, coconut coir or sand and water. Then add half a pound of fertilizer per square foot. This could be enough for one plant but make sure that you don’t over-fertilize. In fact, you should work in small amounts until the plant begins to flower.
To make the best soil for tomatoes, you should also avoid fertilizing with nitrogen. A lot of commercial fertilizers in the market contain nitrogen because it helps increase the fruit’s growth. But in reality, this causes nitrogen to Leach out into other areas of the plant, causing the plant to become more vulnerable to insects and diseases. Instead, you should use a fertilizer with a neutral pH value, release slowly and use organic materials that contain lots of nitrogen.
