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Soil for growing potted tomatoes requires the following:
1) Loose and well-drained.
2) Using a generous amount of organic matter adds those natural ingredients.
3) Mix one part of each of the following: a) potting soil b) compost c) perlite d) shagnum peat moss.
4) If you intend to bring them inside on frosty nights to get a longer growing life-span, avoid garden soil. It may have soil pests you want to avoid wandering around your green house or garden shed.
TIP - With compost, make sure its well composted so that no pest organisms are still alive.
5) Use an organic fertilizer, the slow releasing ones, for added nutrients during active growth and fruit production time.

One other cool tip I learned about soil for growing potted tomatoes is you can get safe…

hydrogels or polymer gels. They reduce your time spent watering them because they help to retain moisture in the soil until the plant requires it. These gels have been around since the 1970’s. They are actually water crystals. They absorb high quantities of water and nutrients and release it by the process of osmosis. This is using a very conservation approach to the use of water, and your time =)

Other benefits of hydrogels and polymer gels:
1) They help aerate the soil and the soil porosity because they take up space. Especially great use for growing tomatoes in clay pots.
2) They increase the amount of oxygen in the soil for growing potted tomatoes.
3) They are not affected by soil compaction - just mix it in the soil before planting for optimal use.
4) They are not affected by adverse weather or extreme temperature conditions.
5) No need for worry of root rot. Gel polymers never get moldy or mildewy and they have added air pockets for the oxygen to stay present.
6) They do not affect organic fertilizers or pesticides (I do not endorse the use of pesticides - there are other safe natural alternatives).
7) They have a very long life span. After just one application you can expect 5 - 7yrs benefits.

Now if you don’t have the patience to mix your own soil, buy soil for growing potted tomatoes from your local garden center and ask about polymer gels.

Coming up…staking and planting tomatoes in containers for optimal growth.

Peace.