The top 3 recommendations and buying guides

Our recommendations

the Tomato soil von Kleeschulte consists of the in-house substrate fiber topora (R) -bio as well as coconut fibers, bark humus and green compost. With 80 milligrams per liter of nitrogen, 250 milligrams per liter of phosphorus, and 800 milligrams per liter of potassium 120 milligrams per liter of magnesium is the substrate rich in important nutrients for thriving Tomatoes. It should be nice and loose, smell pleasant and produce the most beautiful vegetables. Given these descriptions, the earth is the clear, deserved winner in our comparative test.

In the tomato soil from Florissa, the high to very high nutrient density is particularly impressive. It contains 200 to 500 milligrams per liter of nitrogen, 200 to 2000 milligrams per liter of phosphorus and also 400 to 3000 milligrams per liter of potassium. Bark humus, wood fibers, coconut fibers, Quartz sand(€ 15.15 at Amazon *) and organic fertilizer act as starting materials. Although the earth is not explicitly designated as an organic substrate, it is made exclusively from natural ingredients.

Plantura tomato soil is recommended for all hobby gardeners who want to buy a large supply right away. This substrate contains herbal substances from the food, luxury and feed production, from the Forestry and from horticulture and landscaping as well as carbonate of lime and Rock phosphate. This results in 100 milligrams per liter of nitrogen, 400 milligrams per liter of phosphorus, 1800 milligrams per liter of potassium, 50 milligrams per liter of magnesium and 510 milligrams per liter of sulfur. Most of the reviewers on Amazon are very happy with the earth. It is supposed to make tomato plants (and their growers) happy.

Purchase criteria

purpose of use

Depending on the stage of development your tomato plants are in, you need different substrates:

• Potting soil
• Pricking / rearing soil
• Soil for adult plants

In contrast to pricking earth and "adult substrate" must Potting soil be lean and low in nutrients. When buying, make sure that the soil you choose is actually intended for your intended use.

composition

As heavy consumers, adult tomatoes need a lot of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In general, the nutrient concentration should be as high as possible. Otherwise you would have to use more fertilizer, which would be more costly in the long run. It is therefore worthwhile to invest in high-quality tomato soil right away in order to provide the plant with the optimal basis.

Signs of rather inferior quality: pure peat soil, often treated with lime and mineral fertilizers. Apart from the “environmental hostility” that is common to all substrates with peat, plants in these soils are often more susceptible to disease.

A sign of high quality: aggregates such as Perlite,(€ 35.50 at Amazon *) Clay components, certain humus substances (such as bark humus) and organic Slow release fertilizer. Such a composition forms the ideal overall package for your tomatoes.

Peat-free

Why is peat a popular additive in tomato soil (and also in other vegetable and potting soil)? It quickly absorbs a lot of water and loosens the soil. However, we advise against buying substrate with peat - not because there is something to be said against peat itself, but simply to protect the environment.

To put it in a nutshell: To extract peat, entire bog areas have to be drained and consequently destroyed. Moors grow extremely slowly (only about a millimeter per year!), Which is why they can no longer recover after an external intervention. With every “peat harvest”, nature that has grown for thousands of years dies, which also takes away the habitat of many animals. Furthermore, the CO2 stored in peat is released during the ablation, which is known to cause massive damage to our climate.

Your tomatoes will thrive without peat, you can be sure of that!

PH value

The pH of the substrate should be between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).

Organic quality

If in doubt, organic quality tomato soil is to be preferred, as you can then be sure that there are no chemical additives in the substrate. However, the fundamental composition of the earth is always in the foreground. Non-organic substrates can also convince in terms of quality. Conversely, there are also numerous organic tomato soils with peat, for example.

Pack size

It is often worthwhile to buy a larger pack, as the price per liter generally becomes cheaper with increasing quantities.

frequently asked Questions

What is the difference between tomato soil and potting soil?

Tomato soil is a special substrate mix that aims to meet the increased needs of heavy eaters, including tomatoes. Accordingly, it is usually more nutrient-rich than conventional ones Potting soil.

What distinguishes high-quality tomato soil?

High-quality tomato soil has a loose structure. It can store nutrients and release them to the tomato plant when needed. In addition, it reveals a high level of soil vitality. That is, it brings beneficial soil bacteria and fungi with it. These increase both the crumb structure and the water retention capacity. They also reduce the risk of plant diseases.

Which brands offer good tomato soil?

The best-known and most popular brands for specialized tomato soil include Neudorff, Compo Sana, Dehner and Floragard.

Where are the best places to buy tomato soil?

Tomato soil is available in hardware stores - for example at OBI, toom, hagebaumarkt, Bauhaus, Hornbach or Raiffeisen - and of course at Amazon.

Is Tomato Soil Reusable?

Yes, as long as it is intact - i.e. free from pests - you can also reuse tomato soil. However, you must then thoroughly clean the substrate fertilize, as the heavy-eating tomatoes that were previously in it certainly didn't have a lot of nutrients left.

What to do with insects in the tomato soil?

Do you see worms in the tomato soil? Then it's best to dispose of the soil and give your tomato plant fresh substrate. If they are earthworms, you can water the earth instead. Remove the worms that come up and put them back in the open air. And: Make sure that the plant can dry off properly afterwards.

Do you have ants in the tomato soil? Ants are not pests, they won't harm your tomatoes. If the small animals appear in large numbers and are too annoying for you, place a rosemary, a lavender and a thyme bush nearby. The smells of these herbs repel ants strongly, so that they are likely to quickly run away.

Sciarid gnats in the tomato soil? The larvae of the dark, only a few millimeters large mosquitoes, which incidentally do not bite, can be dangerous to your tomatoes. Fight the pests with nematodes. These tiny beneficial insects feed on the larvae. As soon as there is no more food supply, they too die. Alternatively, stick a couple of matches upside down in the ground. Sulfur is toxic to the larvae.

Do you notice maggots in the tomato soil? Like the larvae of the fungus gnat, these are classified as harmful. In this case, too, the use of nematodes has proven to be a naturally effective solution.

General tip: Unpleasant insects are often contained in the tomato soil when you buy them. In order to kill any populations directly, you should briefly heat the soil before planting your tomato plant. Spread the earth on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and put the whole thing in the oven at 150 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes. Alternative: slightly moisten the tomato soil and put it in a cotton bag. Then tie the bag and leave it in the microwave for ten minutes at 800 watts.

Can I make tomato soil myself?

Yes. If you want to make potting soil for your tomato plants, mix one part each of sterilized garden soil, quartz sand and ripe compost. The following mixing ratio has proven itself for pricking: 25 percent compost, 15 percent garden soil, 40 percent coconut fibers / perlite, ten percent bark humus and ten percent quartz sand. If you want homemade tomato soil for adult plants in pots, a mix of high-quality vegetable or potting soil with ripe garden compost is suitable.