Soil Sampler: Feed Your Tomatoes Well
By Danny Thompson
Anyone who has ever grown anything knows that it’s not as simple as digging a hole and throwing in a few seeds.
Soil conditions make a big impact on the health, growth and production of your plants.
Tomatoes can be grown on many different soil types, but a deep, loamy soil, well-drained and supplied with organic matter and nutrients is most suitable.
Your soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.2 to 6.8.
They seem to enjoy fertilizer applications high in phosphorus. Excess nitrogen fertilizer can result in plants with extremely vigorous vine growth but little fruit production.
Use about 3 pounds of a complete fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden area.
Work the fertilizer into the soil about 2 weeks before planting.
Additionally, a little nitrogen fertilizer may be help after the first cluster of flowers have set fruit.
