Just as other vegetables, tomatoes also require a special type of soil to grow in them, happily and exponentially. It’s true that the tomato plants are capable of enduring the temperature fluctuations and continue to stand firmly due to having a highly adaptable nature. After all, that’s why it is the most harvested plant in home gardens.
If you are also growing tomatoes on your property or thinking about it, the very first thing that you need to know is the suitable soil conditions. Remember, it’s the soil that imparts the sparkling color, delicious taste, and rich flavor to the tomatoes. Thus, to obtain the top-quality yield, you have to get the top-quality soil.
And what’s the top-quality soil for tomatoes? That’s why we are here! We have reviewed seven best-performing and high-rated soil products for tomatoes so you can decide which one suits your budget and your plant’s needs.
As a general rule, remember that tomatoes love soil having a high PK ratio, pH ranges from 5-7 and is slightly acidic. Moreover, the best soil for tomatoes will be the one having equal amounts of manure, compost, potting soil, and peat moss.
Table of Contents
Best Soil For Tomatoes Comparison Table
Seven best soils for tomatoes
1. Coast of Maine OMRI Listed Tomato and Vegetable Plant Potting Soil
We have already mentioned above, the best potting soil for tomatoes is the one having the acidic pH and balanced blends of compost and peat moss. The best thing about this product is that it fulfills all these basic requirements.
This soil mix is mainly offered to improve the soil quality to make it more nutrient-rich, airer, and revitalized. Its major ingredients are sphagnum peat moss (an agent that enhances soil water holding and absorbing powers) and manure which have gone through the process of slow and natural decomposition, without any chemical influence.
The dirt is brown, rich, and smells a bit shitty which ensures that all ingredients are sourced from the ocean waters and farms. The texture is also kept smooth which means the end product is checked thoroughly by quality assurance teams.
Since tomatoes turn the surrounding soil acidic, the household or municipal solid waste can further increase the pH, making it harmful for plants. Luckily, the manufacturers do not use any such waste material to expand the compost quantity and all you will get is naturally sourced and organic ingredients.
I also found this mid-range potting soil quite lightweight which means it will not block the precious airspaces around plants’ roots. I was worried about the smell but the good thing is that it fades away in a day or two. If you are standing a few feet away from the planting area, you won’t even notice the smell.
- Naturally sourced organic ingredients
- No household or municipal waste
- Multi-purpose
- Optimum pH
- Suits tomatoes, leaf lettuce, and Spanish perfectly
- Smells a little stinky
You can use this soil mix for planting holes by mixing existing yard soil with OMRI potting mix or may use it to improve the soil quality by making a topmost layer of this potting mix of about 2″. We also tried this soil mix on leaf lettuce and Spinach seedlings and it shows incredible results there as well.
2. Miracle-Gro Potting Mix 2 cu. ft
Miracle-gro has introduced a wide range of potting soil and potting mix for various kinds of fruits and vegetable plants. However, there are many reasons why we add this product of miracle-gro to our list of the best soil for tomatoes.
First of all, this soil is extremely light in weight and texture which allows your plant to do gaseous exchange conveniently and maintain the pH of soil medium up to 6. On opening the bag, you can smell the rich earthy soil that exhibits its quality. The bag is also quite big.
Secondly, the ingredients added to the composition are those which are exclusively required by the tomatoes such as sphagnum peat moss, coir, peat, compost, wetting agents, perlite, and some amount of granular fertilizer. Since no microbes or pesticides are there, you can also use them for growing seedlings. All these ingredients are naturally sourced from forest and farm products.
The NPK ratio of this soil is kept at 0.21-0.11-0.16 which means your plants will get the micronutrients in a controlled fashion. The thing I liked the most about this soil mix is that it ensures the perfect drainage. Since the tomato plants need to transfer from pot to beds, this feature prevents the plant from shock. Similarly, the airy texture discards the odds of rotten roots.
Since it is a bit granular, the granules would take almost six to eight months to completely dissolve in the existing soil and reach the plant’s metabolism. In this way, a one-time application will be enough to feed the essential nutrients to plants for 6-8 months.
- A perfect blend of rich ingredients with fertilizer
- Smells earthy and rich
- Discard the odds of rotten roots and plant shock
- Suits tomatoes, lemons, annuals, and perennial plants
- Best valued
- Huge bag
- Possess fungus gnats
If you are searching for affordable, organic, and broad-spectrum potting soil with fertilizer, miracle-gro can serve you best. We have also tried this soil to grow lemon and some annual plants and it proves equally beneficial for them as well.
3. Mother Earth Terracraft Potting Soil
This demand for this potting soil seems to be rising incredibly within the market since a wide number of gardeners have witnessed its effectiveness regarding plant growth. That’s the very reason why we purchased and added this potting soil to our list.
Since the bag is quite huge and the packaging says it’s an all-purpose soil mixture, we applied it on many plants along with the tomatoes and the results were very amazing.
The main ingredients of this soil mix are sphagnum peat moss, Yucca, perlite, pumice, and processed forest material. That’s why we cannot call it all-natural but this unusual composition also comes with a unique set of benefits.
First of all, this potting soil is highly capable of delivering all the macro and micronutrients to a broad range of plants which in turn, will keep your plants thriving and growing fabulously.
The most unnoticeable result which I obtained is the super-fast growth of my tomato plants. It won’t be wrong if I say that I didn’t see that high growth rate ever. Our tomato plants started to bloom in just three weeks.
In addition to being high in performance, the soil also feels quite good, rich, and smooth, which ensures that your plants will also grow comfortably there. Plus, the water retention properties of this soil also save you from the hassle of frequent watering.
- Rich, organic composition
- Excellent growing medium
- All-purpose soil mix
- Incredible water retention properties
- Budget-friendly
- Bigger chunks that don’t suit seedlings
I also appreciate the way manufacturers provide the ultimate solution for pest and plant diseases with the soil formula. The rich minerals like Yucca and pumice act as pest repellent which eliminates the odds of diseases. In short, this mother Earth Terracraft soil is an excellent growing medium with a broad suitability range and most alluring features.
4. Organic Potting Mix by Perfect Plants
This organic potting soil is a blend of health and nutrient-content boosting ingredients that not only make your tomatoes look bright and juicy but also improve soil quality for other plants in your garden bed.
The product comes in a resealable bag which makes it easy to store. The main ingredients of this soil mix are peat moss, earthworm castings, coconut coir, composted pine bark, perlite, and some essential healthy microbes. The soil is dark and fluffy and doesn’t smell bad.
The microbes and earthworm castings work together to increase the nutrient content in the soil by breaking the complex inorganic material down to organic.
Similarly, the coir and perlite work together to make valuable air pockets or air spaces within the surrounding pot soil. In this way, both the nutrients and water drain down to the roots on watering without facing hindrance by bulky compact soil.
Lastly, the peat moss and pine bark work together to absorb water and nutrients to keep the plant thriving even during the days of drought. I was also surprised that despite that much rich composition, this soil mix doesn’t attract bugs.
- Balanced pH
- Rich, organic composition
- Doesn’t attract bugs
- Resealable bag
- Increase soil’s nutrient content
- Suits almost all the plants
- Not a budget soil mix for commercial gardens
The bag is not that giant but for all the home growers, this organic potting mix by perfect plants may prove budget-friendly. All the organic ingredients result in keeping the pH of the soil perfectly balanced, regardless of whether you are growing tomatoes in indoor or outdoor environments.
5. Black Gold 1302040 8-Quart All Organic Potting Soil
Finding good and all-purpose potting soil for tomatoes is problematic since some products are made exclusively to be used in containers while some others are there to be added only in the garden beds. However, this black gold soil is suitable for all those looking for a two-in-one kind of soil for their tomatoes.
The best part of this soil is that it doesn’t contain any sort of toxins like synthetic or inorganic chemicals. On opening the bag, you will get only the organic matter such as the compost, sphagnum moss, earthworm castings, fertilizer, cinders, pumice, and perlite.
The perlite, cinder, and pumice are added by the manufacturer to resolve the issues of improper watering and airflow. These elements not only condition the soil by making its texture fluffier and increasing the airflow, but it also sucks and store the nutrients and moisture.
These nutrients are then released for plant usage gradually in a slow-release method which, in turn, lets your tomato plants grow perfectly. I liked the way the brand replaced the need for nitrogen fertilizers by adding compost and earthworm casting to the formula.
Both these elements trigger microbial activity to break the complex matter into simpler ones. Resultantly, the essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium are released to the soil. When these nutrients become a part of existing soil, it not only acts as a nutrient-rich growth medium but also helps to attain the optimum pH.
- All-organic and natural
- Regulate soil pH and moisture level
- Suitable for tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers plants
- Natural fertilizer to enhance nutrient content
- No chemicals or toxins
- Soil may attract the bugs
To make this soil perfect from all aspects, the manufacturer mixed the loamy soil (the best-performing soil medium for tomatoes) into the composition. The soil is very dark, rich, and capable of showing results overnight.
6. FoxFarm FX14054 Happy Frog Potting Soil
This fox farm potting soil is also an organic potting mix where the manufacturer has used only the all-natural ingredients in the formula. The major ingredients of this soil mix are bat guano, earthworm castings, microbial-mycorrhizal fungi blend, forest products, and humic acid.
The very first thing which catches the attention is this unique formula since these unusual ingredients are rarely present in any previous brands. Starting with the humic acid, this element comes with the basic purpose of making the soil acidic so the tomato plants can grow greener.
Humic acid is also very helpful in supporting the plants during environmental stress like higher temperatures, high humidity, or overwatering. In this way, your plants gain more resilience towards different extreme conditions and diseases.
Its microbial-mycorrhizal fungi blend is similar to that found in real soil and improves the soil quality by unraveling the locked nutrients for the plants. Since these nutrients are first absorbed by the plant’s roots, they expand and strengthen.
When the root system of your plants gets fully developed, it absorbs more and more nutrients to facilitate the remaining plant body and produce flavorful tomatoes for you.
- Rare, valuable ingredients
- Perfect microbial-mycorrhizal fungi blend
- Suitable for container plants
- Imparts resistant against environmental stress and diseases
- No plastic or household waste
- Overpriced
Tomato plants possess more chances of getting the blossom end rot diseases due to getting insufficient calcium. I appreciate that the manufacturer didn’t overlook this point and added the dolomitic lime and oyster shells to the formula to make the end product calcium-rich. This soil works best to grow container plants but you can also use it to grow vegetables in raised beds.
7. Espoma AP8 8-Quart Organic Potting Mix
This espoma organic potting mix comes with a guarantee of delivering the bumper harvest by stimulating your plants to grow well. Due to its remarkably full nutrient composition, it can be perfectly used for both indoor and outdoor plants.
The most captivating feature of this potting soil is that the company has used the specialized myco-tone formula that comes with a huge list of benefits. The major achievement of this advanced formula is to resolve the issue of watering needs.
If you are a new grower, odds are you might overwater your plants due to having insufficient knowledge. While using this espoma organic potting mix, you don’t have to worry about adding too much or too little water to the soil.
In case of watering lower than the requirements, your plans will keep on getting moisture from ultimate sucker perlite. On the other hand, if you add too much water, the soil holds it perfectly and lets the plant absorb only the amount that is best for its flourishing.
The 11-strains added to the formula save the plants from any kind of stress (environmental or metabolic). In this way, your plants will stay stronger enough to sustain the pressure while getting transferred from pot to raised beds.
- Advanced myco-tone formula
- Perfect water drainage
- Induce resistance against stress
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor plants
- Organic and free of gnats
- Pleasant earthy smell
- Slightly expensive
The soil gives off a very pleasant earthy smell and doesn’t attract bugs. The NPK value of this potting soil is 7-2-2. Most importantly, this soil mix doesn’t come with any creepy fungus gnats to ruin the entire garden.
Buying guide
To buy the best soil for tomatoes, the very first thing you need to understand is the purpose of getting one. Whether you are looking for a soil mix for container or raised bed plants, its general objective should be to provide the essential nutrients to the plants and support them to produce the juiciest tomatoes and bumper harvest. To ensure whether commercial soil is suitable for your plants or not, you need to consider some common factors as follows
TextureA good soil mix is one having a lighter and airy texture without sacrificing the nutritional content. The texture should be light enough so the water can drain through it to reach all the roots evenly. Similarly, the soil should not get compact or denser on watering since it could block air circulation and limit root growth.
You can simply check the texture by carrying the bag of the soil. If it’s too heavy, it means the manufacturer has filled it up with useless filler like mulch or sand. However, if the bag is lightweight despite its huge size, it means the soil is not very dense.
While talking about the composition, you’d find two types of commercial soils for tomato plants. First, the organic soil has all-natural and naturally sourced ingredients like perlite, peat moss, forest products, manure, and pumice.
Organic soil is full of healthy and essential nutrients and remains a part of existing soil for longer periods. That’s the reason why organic soil is much more expensive than inorganic one.
The second type of soil is the one having inorganic ingredients in it. These inorganic components may or may not be sourced from natural causes and the most fraction consist of the elements synthesized in the lab.
This type of soil transfers the nutrients rapidly to the plants and needs to reapply after a few months. Inorganic soil also possesses a specific amount of chemical fertilizers which may or may not suit your tomato plant. That’s the reason why professional horticulturists and gardeners prefer organic soil over inorganic one.
Lastly and most importantly, think about the things and soil conditions required by your tomato harvest. As we mentioned before, the best soil for tomatoes is the one having the acidic pH and even or completely balanced composition.
Also, it’s better to purchase soil having lower nitrogen concentration since it could cause root burn in tomato seedlings. Remember, toes cannot be grown in heavy clay or highly compact soil.
FAQs?
Final thoughts
Until now, we have reviewed all the high rated and best seller commercially available best soils for tomatoes. All these soils are thoroughly tested, used, and analyzed by our experts and impart unique benefits. The top three products which perform the best and come with the most alluring features are
Coast of Maine OMRI Listed Tomato and Vegetable Plant Potting Soil due to its wide suitability range, naturally sourced ingredients, and precise composition.
Mother Earth Terracraft Potting Soil due to having incredible water retention properties and being best valued and eco-friendly.
Organic Potting Mix by Perfect Plants due to its extremely organic and healthy ingredients and ability to keep the bugs and pests away.
Remember that different types of soils are available in the market and you can choose them according to the planting area, season, plant’s needs, and the condition of the existing soil. Whatever the product you choose to purchase, consider all the points mentioned in the buying guide to make the most beneficial purchase.