05 Provide Healthy Soil
Make sure your soil provides the proper conditions for tomatoes before you plant. Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. Check your soil’s pH with a soil test from your local extension agency. A soil test also diagnoses nutrient deficiencies.
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and require a steady source of nutrients. Here are a few ways to do this:
Work compost into the soil before planting tomatoes.
Side-dress plantings with compost midseason to add nutrients.
Apply a fertilizer specifically designed for tomatoes every two weeks during the growing season, starting with planting time.