What to Add to Hole When Planting Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a popular and delicious fruit to grow in your garden or greenhouse. However, to ensure they grow healthy and strong, it’s important to take care of them from the very beginning. One key aspect of this is properly preparing the soil before planting. In this article, we’ll discuss what to add to the hole when planting tomatoes, so they can thrive in their new home.

Compost

Compost is an excellent addition to the soil when planting tomatoes. It is rich in nutrients and organic matter, which will help improve the soil's fertility and structure. You can create your own compost using kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials, or purchase compost from a gardening store. When planting tomatoes, add a handful or two of compost to the bottom of the hole, and then mix it in with the soil.

Bone Meal

Bone meal is a natural fertilizer made from animal bones that are ground into a fine powder. It is high in phosphorus, which is essential for strong root development in plants. When planting tomatoes, you can add a tablespoon or two of bone meal to the hole, mixing it in with the soil. This will help give your plants a healthy start and encourage strong root growth.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a natural mineral that contains magnesium and sulfur, both of which are beneficial for plant growth. Magnesium helps with chlorophyll production, which is essential for photosynthesis, while sulfur aids in overall plant development. Adding a teaspoon or two of Epsom salt to the hole when planting tomatoes can help improve their nutrient uptake and overall health.

Calcium

Calcium is another essential nutrient for tomato plants. It helps with cell growth and development, as well as providing structural support to the plant. If your soil is lacking in calcium, you can add crushed eggshells to the hole when planting tomatoes. Eggshells are a natural and inexpensive source of calcium, and can be crushed up and mixed into the soil before planting.

Mulch

Adding mulch to the soil when planting tomatoes is important for several reasons. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, which is important during the hot summer months. It also helps suppress weeds, which can compete with your plants for nutrients and sunlight. Finally, as the mulch breaks down over time, it will add organic matter to the soil, which can help improve its fertility and structure. When planting tomatoes, add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant, being careful not to cover the stem.

Conclusion

When planting tomatoes, it's important to give them a healthy start by preparing the soil properly. Adding compost, bone meal, Epsom salt, calcium, and mulch to the hole can help give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive. However, it's also important to remember not to over-fertilize or over-water your plants, as this can do more harm than good. With a little care and attention, your tomato plants will be healthy and productive in no time!