Question From: MICHIGAN
Q: My 6' x 25' tomato patch where I plant thirteen (13) tomato seedlings each year has been producing steadily declining flower germination and fruit yields. My plan is to remove the depleted sandy soil in thirteen 18" dia. x 12" deep cavities and replace it with bagged gardening soil. This way, I wouldn't be forced to remove and replace the entire 150 cubic foot (6'x25'x1') soil volume. I refuse to abandon raising tomatoes. I'm male, 69.5 yrs old, strong, and in good health. I do my spading and raking manually. I'd prefer to grow tomatoes in-ground and not construct a "raised bed". Does this limited soil replacement approach have any chance of restoring Celebrity variety tomato yields of past years?
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A: If your tomatoes don't show signs of disease it should help. I would use a combination good quality bagged soil and quality compost. at a rate of 2 to one soil to compost. Be sure your tomatoes get 6 or more hours of direct sun daily, Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
