Tomato, Cucumber and Lettuce Soil Requirements

Tomatoes

• Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) perform best in fertile, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Although they can survive in soil with a pH as low a 5.5, they perform best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. According to the Cornell University Extension, tomato plants produce more tomatoes when grown in clay or loamy soil, but they produce earlier tomatoes in silty soil. Tomatoes require consistently moist soil but suffer if the soil is soggy. Soil that dries excessively may cause blossom end rot in tomatoes. Red or black plastic mulch under tomatoes keeps the soil warm and moist and boosts production.

Cucumbers

• Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) also prefer fertile well-drained soil, but they have a higher need for nitrogen than tomatoes. While tomato plants will produce lush foliage with inhibited fruiting if given too much nitrogen, cucumbers thrive when side dressed with high nitrogen fertilizer when they begin to vine and set fruit. Cucumbers require evenly moist soil and may produce bitter fruit if they do not get enough water. Cucumbers prefer a soil pH near 7.0 and produce well when the soil is warm. According to Cornell University, cucumbers thrive with black mulch to keep the soil warm and moist.

Lettuce

• Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) prefers loose, well-drained soil that is cool and moist, but it does not need highly fertile soil. It prefers a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 and suffers in acidic soil. Because it has a small root system, lettuce can be grown in window boxes or other containers with shallow soil. Organic mulch, such as hay or grass clippings may be used to keep the soil cool and moist around lettuce plants.

Considerations

• Tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce all require an inch of rain a week and benefit from supplemental watering during dry spells. While cucumbers and tomatoes thrive in full sun, lettuce benefits from partial shade, especially in hot locations.