Tomatoes are heavy feeders, which means they need a lot of nutrients to thrive and develop tasty fruits. However, the tomato needs different substrates during its development phases. Can potting soil also be used here?
Can potting soil be used for tomatoes?
Potting soil can be used for tomatoes when planted in a larger container. This soil is loose and nutrient-rich, but additional organic fertilizer, such as compost or horn shavings, should be added after about six weeks.
How does the tomato plant grow?
Like every plant, the tomato goes through different stages of development.
The sowing
Tomato seeds are sown in nutrient-poor soil. Potting soil is suitable. This soil should contain the following substances:
- Peat and sand in a ratio of 1:1
- a mixture of perlite, white peat and clay
- Fibres made from wood or coconut
The roots can develop well in the lean substrate because the plant has to work hard to get the few nutrients. However, growing soil is often contaminated with germs or pests. Therefore, it is recommended to sterilize the soil before use. To do this, the earth is heated to over 100 degrees in the oven or microwave for some time.
Pricking
If small plants have developed from the seeds, they are “pricked out”, that is, planted in individual pots for further development. A more nutrient-rich mixture is now used as soil. Vegetable soil or pricking soil (€6.00 on Amazon) from the gardening store is suitable. If you want to make your own soil, mix as follows:
- 40% coconut fiber or perlite (volcanic glass for water storage)
- 25% mature compost
- 15% loose garden soil
- 10% bark humus
- 10% sand
Cultivating in beds or containers
If the tomato plant is strong enough, it can be planted in a bed or a sufficiently large container. In well-fertilized, sufficiently moist and loose garden soil, the tomato will quickly develop into a large perennial and bloom. But the container plant also thrives when planted in potting soil. The potting soil is loose, structurally stable and contains a nutrient deposit. Once this has been used up (around six weeks), the tomato needs a strengthening fertilizer. Mature garden compost, horn shavings or meal or another organic fertilizer can be used.
