From sowing to planting outdoors, tomatoes go through divergent growth phases. Anyone who adapts the quality of the soil to the expanding demands has a clear advantage. We explain all the important details about potting soil.

Successful cultivation in poor soil

The first steps in the life of a tomato plant take place in the leanest possible substrate. Light, warmth and water are required to get the seeds ready to germinate. Nutrients are more of a hindrance at this point. The mineral salts could damage the tender seedling roots. In addition, the young plants do not see any reason for the desired root growth, with a richly covered table of nutrients directly in front of the root tips.

Recommended potting soil:

  • commercially available seed or growing soil
  • Peat and sand mixed in equal parts
  • pure coconut humus as a peat substitute
  • Uniform soil made from white peat, perlite (37.51€) and natural clay

May it be something more? - the right soil for transplanting

After germination, tomato plants show the power they contain. The growth progresses at an impressive rate, so that pricking out occurs after a few days. Now the nutrient content of the soil can be increased a little, because after all we are dealing with heavy consumers. These substrate mixtures are ideal:

  • commercially available vegetable soil, diluted with peat, sand or perlite in a ratio of 1:2
  • special standard pricking soil with a proportion of green waste compost (available in specialist shops)

Hobby gardeners who value first-class soil right from the start mix it themselves. The ingredients are compost (25%), garden soil (15%), coconut fibers/perlite (40%), bark humus (10%) and sand (10%).

Tomatoes thrive in this soil until they are harvested

Vigorous and strong tomato plants, which are now starving for nutrients, result from a successful cultivation. After planting outdoors, experienced tomato gardeners spoil their magnificent specimens with these soil qualities:

  • in the bed: humus-rich, nutritious soil, fresh, moist and well-drained
  • in the tub: high-quality vegetable or potting soil

In both cases, the substrate is additionally enriched with mature garden compost, horn shavings, (32.93€) horn meal or adequate organic fertilizer.

tips and tricks

Despite all the manufacturers' assurances, potting soil is often infected by insect eggs, fungal spores or bacterial pathogens. Before use, simply sterilize the substrate in the oven at 150 degrees top and bottom heat for 30 minutes. It's even faster in the microwave at 800 watts for 10 minutes.

Category:

Vegetable garden