Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 5, Number 4

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! Once or twice a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

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FEATURE: How to Make Your Own Potting Mix for Growing Tomatoes

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When you make your own potting mix for growing tomatoes, you save money. There are dozens of recipes to use to make your own potting mix. Here is an easy one: 1 – 1 – 1.

• 1 part inorganic material for bulk (peat moss or coir)
• 1 part inorganic material for good drainage (perlite, vermiculite, or coarse sand - or a combination of these)
• 1 part organic material for water retention and nutrients (compost, humus, garden loam, or commercial potting mix)

To make the mix …

1. Gather ingredients, a large tub (or wheelbarrow) for mixing, trowel or shovel, and gloves.
2. In a large bucket or tub, pre-soak sphagnum peat moss or peat coir in warm water, in a two-to-one ratio (2 parts product to 1 part water), until water is absorbed.
3. Add other inorganic ingredients to the peat mixture. Combine together.
4. Add organic ingredients and mix.
5. If using the potting mix right away, then add the appropriate amount of time-release fertilizer for pot size (as indicated in fertilizer instructions.) If saving the potting mix to use later, then store it.
6. Fill your containers

Read more about making your own potting mix for growing tomatoes … and check out how good potting mix can make a difference for your tomato crop on our Container Tomatoes Pinterest board.

Tomato Growing Tip #4: Make Potting Mix Before Growing Season

Image: Tomato Dirt

Get more tips for growing tomatoes on our Tomato Growing Tips Pinterest board.

Helpful Tools for Making Your Own Potting Mix

Garden Apron and Kit	Garden TubTrug, 38 Liter

More About Potting Mix for Tomatoes