Looking for the best soil boosting ingredients to put in your tomato planting hole this year?
Although many gardeners focus on watering and fertilizing throughout the season to power their tomato plants, the foundation for healthy plants and a big harvest actually begins at planting time – or more precisely, how you prepare the planting hole for your plants!
When preparing your tomato planting holes, adding the right ingredients can make a significant difference in plant health, fruit production, and soil vitality. And as it turns out – there are actually 3 simple but very important ingredients that all but ensure great soil – and a great tomato growing season!
Here is a look at each of the 3 important ingredients – and how to use them in the best way possible to grow your best crop of tomatoes ever this year!
The 3 Most Important Things To Put In A Tomato Planting Hole
1. Crushed Egg Powder
Calcium is one of the most critical nutrients for growing strong tomato plants, and a lack of it is the primary cause of blossom end rot. Blossom end rot manifests as dark, sunken spots on the bottom of tomatoes. It occurs when plants cannot absorb enough calcium to support fruit development.
The good news is that preventing this condition is easy by putting egg shells in your planting hole as you plant. But as you will see below, they need to first be crushed into a fine powder!
Eggshells contain calcium carbonate, which slowly breaks down and releases calcium into the soil. This slow-release process ensures that the calcium remains available over time, reducing the risk of deficiencies.
Unfortunately, when egg shells are left whole or even in small pieces, they can take months if not a year or more to break down. And until they do – they can’t help add calcium to your soil – or your plants. But when ground down into a fine powder, the calcium can absorb almost immediately.
How To Grind Egg Shells
To prepare crushed egg powder, collect eggshells, rinse them out – and allow them to dry completely. Once dried, grind them into a fine powder using a blender or an inexpensive coffee grinder. Remember, the finer the powder, the faster it will break down in the soil. Affiliate Link: Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder
By adding two to three tablespoons of crushed egg powder to each tomato planting hole, you ensure your tomatoes will have a steady supply of calcium throughout the growing season.
Beyond preventing blossom end rot, calcium also helps tomato plants strengthens cell walls. This creates far healthier plants that can better resist disease and pests. With strong cell walls, tomato plants are also better able to take in water and nutrients, leading to vigorous growth and higher yields.
2. Adding Coffee Grounds For Nitrogen, Soil Structure & Moisture Retention
Spent coffee grounds are a must for your tomato planting hole! Not only do they give a gently dose of nitrogen, they also help give the soil better structure.
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, playing a crucial role in leaf development and overall plant vigor. However, excessive nitrogen can lead to overly lush plants with fewer fruits, so a balanced approach is necessary – and coffee grounds give just that!
Coffee grounds provide a gentle, natural source of nitrogen, along with other benefits that improve soil quality. Another advantage of using coffee grounds is their ability to help the soil retain moisture. As a rich organic material, coffee grounds improve soil texture by creating small air pockets that enhance drainage while also holding moisture.
This ensures that tomato roots have a consistent water supply, reducing the risk of drought stress during hot summer months. Adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup of coffee grounds to each tomato planting hole enhances nitrogen levels while also improving soil structure.
Some gardeners often worry that coffee grounds are too acidic, but used grounds have a near-neutral pH. One thing you never want to use is fresh coffee grounds that have not been brewed. They do contain more acid.
3. Adding Compost & Boosting Your Soil’s Fertility
Compost is one of the most beneficial soil boosters you can add to your garden – and can it ever help tomatoes grow better.
Rich in organic matter, compost provides a wide range of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium that power tomatoes right from the start. Especially when that compost is placed right around a tomato plant’s roots in the planting hole! See our article: 3 Great Ways To Use Compost To Power Your Tomato Plants This Year
Adding two to three cups of compost to the soil in each tomato planting hole ensures that young plants receive the nutrients they need to establish strong roots – and develop healthy foliage.
Compost is a slow-release fertilizer, meaning that nutrients become available over time as microbes break down organic material. This reduces the risk of over-fertilization while keeping plants steadily nourished throughout a growing season.
Another crucial benefit of compost is its ability to improve soil structure and water retention. The organic helps to create a more loose soil – allowing roots to access air and water more efficiently. It also helps sandy soils hold moisture, while preventing clay soils from becoming overly compacted.
To use compost effectively, incorporate two to three cups of well-aged compost into each planting hole. Avoid using fresh or unfinished compost, as it may still be decomposing and can overpower plants. Well-aged compost should be dark, crumbly, and have an earthy smell, indicating that it is ready to use.
How to Prepare The Perfect Tomato Planting Hole
So how do you plant your plants to perfection on planting day with these three powerful ingredients? Here is a look at the simple steps to success!
- Start by digging a deep planting hole. Tomato plants benefit from deep planting, as they develop roots along their buried stems. Dig a hole that is at least twelve inches deep to accommodate the amendments and allow for strong root growth.
- Along with your garden soil, add two to three tablespoons of crushed egg powder to the bottom of the hole. Place one-quarter to one-half of a cup of coffee grounds into the planting hole. Next, add two to three cups of compost to your planting hole. Blend the soil and ingredients into the hole to enhance nutrient availability and water retention.
- Now it’s time to put your tomato transplant in the hole. Position the seedling in the hole, burying it deep so that only the top few leaves are above the surface. Backfill with soil and gently press down to secure the plant.
- Finish by giving the newly planted tomato a deep watering. This will help to settle the soil and activate all of the power of the ingredients.
Taking the time to incorporate these three essential ingredients into each planting will give your tomatoes everything they need to thrive. With strong roots, balanced nutrition, and improved soil health, your tomato plants will reward you with a season full of delicious, homegrown fruit.
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