Soil and Nutrients for Tomato Leaves

Soil Quality

• Avoid sandy and clay soils for growing tomatoes. With these exceptions, tomatoes can adapt to a wide variety of soils. The most ideal soil acidity for tomatoes is almost neutral with a pH reading of 6.5 to 7.0. At planting time, the soil should be relatively warm and after the last winter frosts. There are numerous tomato varieties available for home planting, many of which have their own unique soil requirements.

Nutritional Needs

• Controlling the amount of calcium in tomato growing soil is a concern for growers, since calcium deficiencies contribute to blossom end rot. Additionally, tomatoes grow well in a soil that is not too high in nitrogen but higher in potassium and phosphorus. Some tomato cultivars of tomatoes have different nutritional needs.

Preparing Soil

• Before planting, prepare the soil for optimal fertility. For clay and sandy soils, add peat moss, compost or another organic soil amendment in a 2- to 3-inch layer worked into the soil when the soil is relatively dry. Make fertilizer additions in light of soil tests indicating the soil's most pressing nutritional needs. A fertilizer meeting the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium balance, such as 8-32-16 or 6-24-2, should be added at the same time. Avoid using urea or ammonium nitrate fertilizer for tomato plants.

Caution

• Stunted leaf growth can indicate poor plant health, low soil fertility or disease. Healthy leaves mean a healthy harvest. However, over fertilizing fostering leaf growth can force the plant to divert nutrients away from fruit production into leaf production.