Tomatoes get their water and nutrients from the soil, so the better you prepare your soil the better and more productive your tomato crop will be.
Tomatoes need soil that is rich in organic matter, which will help it drain well, and that is fertile enough to support this 'heavy feeder.
' The soil needs to be made up of particles large enough to let the water and nutrients percolate through and for the tender roots of the tomato plant to penetrate.
So you are looking for a loamy soil that is on the sandy side.
A pH range of 6.
0 to 7.
0 seems to work best for tomatoes.
You should test your soil in the fall so you will have plenty of time to add whatever amendments you need before planting time.
The fall is also the best time to add organic matter, such as compost.
These soil amendments are not fast acting so you need to allow plenty of time for your improvements to take effect.
Tomatoes are heavy feeders of nutrients, especially phosphorus.
Phosphorus helps with the blossom and fruit production.
Nitrogen is needed for foliage of course, but not too much.
And potassium is needed for roots and the overall health of the plant.
A 5-10-5 fertilizer worked into the soil at least three to four weeks before planting time should get your tomato plants off to a great start.
Another nutrient that tomatoes need is calcium.
A lack of calcium is a contributor to a problem called Blossom end rot.
The blossom end (bottom) of the tomato will turn a brownish color and will have a sunken shape and will be no good for consumption.
Proper use of agricultural lime will help control this problem.
If it doesn't, you can get calcium, and any other of the micronutrients from a garden center.
Preparing your soil well is probably the best thing you can do to ward off any problems that might cause your tomatoes to suffer.