Potting Mix for Tomato Planters

Culture

• Tomatoes grow best in full sun -- the more sun the better -- and like warm summer temperatures. They require moist, well-drained soil. Heavy feeders, they require regular fertilization and watering. Tomatoes are set outside when there is no danger of frost. Harvest begins in early summer and continues until frost threatens them in mid- to late-fall.

Potting Medium

• Tomatoes require even moisture. Because soil in containers dries out quickly, your potting mix should be light and free-draining, but still able to hold moisture and nutrients. Buy the best quality potting mix you can find. If you're using large planters, a mix of half soil conditioner (finely shredded bark) and half peat moss or good quality compost is an economical alternative.

Nutrition

• Because tomatoes need lots of nutrients, it's good to fortify the mix before planting. Use a balanced fertilizer (such as 8-8-8) according to label directions. Bone meal contains calcium that helps prevent blossom-end rot, a common tomato ailment. A special vegetable garden fertilizer that contains trace elements like magnesium and copper further boosts vigor and yields.

Planting

• Maximize the benefit of your potting mix. Put about 8 inches of the mix into the container and plant the seedlings. As the plants grow, remove the bottom leaves and fill the container up to the the next set of leaves. Continue this process until the planter is full. Roots will develop along the leaf nodes, filling the container with an extensive root system for a stronger tomato plant.