Put These 8 Things in Your TOMATO Planting Hole For The Best Tomatoes Ever
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow in any home garden. They’re vibrant, productive, and bursting with flavor when nurtured properly.
But if you want to take your tomato harvest from good to extraordinary, there’s a simple secret many seasoned gardeners swear by—what you put in the hole before you plant your tomatoes matters more than you think.
By enriching the planting hole with the right combination of natural boosters, you’ll give your tomato plants a head start on growth, improve nutrient availability, encourage stronger roots, and even prevent disease.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the 8 best things to put in your tomato planting hole to grow bigger, healthier, and more flavorful tomatoes.
1. Crushed Eggshells – For Long-Term Calcium
Crushed eggshells are one of the most effective natural sources of calcium for your garden. Tomatoes are prone to blossom end rot, a condition caused by calcium deficiency.
Adding eggshells directly into the planting hole ensures your plants have a slow-release calcium source throughout the growing season.
How to use:
- Crush and dry eggshells completely.
- Add a small handful (around 1 tablespoon) to the bottom of the hole.
- Mix lightly into the surrounding soil.
This slow-decomposing material not only provides calcium but also improves soil structure over time.
2. Compost – For Rich Organic Matter
Compost is the cornerstone of healthy soil and strong plants. It’s packed with beneficial microorganisms, humus, and essential nutrients that feed your tomato plant from the roots up.
Adding compost directly into the hole creates a nutrient-dense micro-environment that supports root development, water retention, and disease resistance.
How to use:
- Add 1–2 cups of well-aged compost into each planting hole.
- Mix lightly with surrounding soil to prevent root shock.
Make sure your compost is fully decomposed to avoid burning the plant roots or introducing pests.
3. Epsom Salt – For Magnesium Boost
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is a highly recommended amendment for tomatoes because magnesium is vital for photosynthesis and fruit development.
A magnesium deficiency often shows up as yellowing leaves with green veins or poor fruit set.
How to use:
- Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to each planting hole.
- Mix it into the bottom of the hole before placing the plant.
Epsom salt helps your tomato plant take in essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus more efficiently, leading to better growth and tastier fruit.
4. Bone Meal – For Strong Root and Flower Development
Bone meal is a slow-release organic fertilizer high in phosphorus and calcium.
It plays a key role in promoting vigorous root development and abundant flower production, which ultimately leads to more tomatoes.
How to use:
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of bone meal to the planting hole.
- Mix it well with the bottom soil before planting.
Bone meal continues to feed your plant throughout the season, especially during early flowering stages, setting the foundation for a productive harvest.
5. Fish Heads or Fish Scraps – For Complete Nutrition
This old gardening trick might sound strange, but it works wonders.
Fish remains (like heads, bones, or guts) are a powerhouse of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and trace minerals—everything tomatoes crave. As the fish decomposes, it feeds the soil and strengthens the plant.
How to use:
- Place one fish head or a small bundle of clean fish scraps at the bottom of the planting hole.
- Cover with 3–4 inches of soil before planting the tomato to prevent pests or odors.
This method creates a slow-releasing fertilizer that can power your tomato plant through the growing season. If you’re concerned about critters, you can freeze the scraps first or wrap them in a few layers of newspaper.
6. Aspirin – For Disease Prevention and Immunity
Tomatoes are susceptible to fungal diseases like blight, wilt, and leaf spot. One unusual but scientifically-backed trick is placing an uncoated aspirin in the planting hole.
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) mimics a natural plant hormone that boosts disease resistance and immunity.
How to use:
- Drop 1 regular-strength, uncoated aspirin (325 mg) into the bottom of the planting hole.
- Cover it with a bit of soil before placing the plant in.
The aspirin stimulates the tomato plant’s natural defense system, improving its resilience against pathogens and stress.
7. Used Coffee Grounds – For Nitrogen and Soil Structure
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, a vital nutrient for leafy growth. They also help improve soil texture, drainage, and attract beneficial earthworms to the root zone.
How to use:
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of used (not fresh) coffee grounds into the hole.
- Mix with compost or topsoil to avoid over-acidifying the area.
Coffee grounds add organic material to the soil and are especially helpful in feeding soil microorganisms that keep your tomato bed thriving.
8. Banana Peel – For Potassium, Phosphorus, and Micronutrients
Banana peels are loaded with potassium and phosphorus—two nutrients essential for tomato flowering and fruit development.
As the peel breaks down, it provides a steady stream of nutrients over several weeks.
How to use:
- Cut 1 banana peel into small pieces.
- Place the pieces in the planting hole and cover with 1–2 inches of soil before setting your plant in.
Banana peels also help with water retention and improve microbial life in the soil.
Bonus Tips for Planting Tomatoes Successfully
Bury the Stem Deep
When planting tomatoes, strip off the lower leaves and bury two-thirds of the stem underground. Tomato plants can grow roots along their buried stem, making them sturdier and more drought-resistant.
Water Deeply at Planting
After planting, give your tomato plant a thorough soaking. This helps settle the soil and ensures roots make good contact with nutrients and amendments.
Mulch Immediately
Mulching your tomatoes helps maintain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto the leaves. Use straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings around the base of the plant.
Stake or Cage Early
Install support structures right after planting. This prevents root disturbance and keeps plants off the ground, improving airflow and reducing disease risk.
Why This Tomato Planting Method Works
Each item on this list plays a unique role in creating the ideal environment for tomato plants:
- Calcium (eggshells, bone meal, fish heads) prevents blossom end rot.
- Magnesium (Epsom salt) supports photosynthesis and nutrient absorption.
- Phosphorus and potassium (banana peels, bone meal, fish heads) drive root development and flowering.
- Nitrogen (compost, coffee grounds, fish heads) fuels healthy foliage and early growth.
- Aspirin helps ward off fungal diseases and builds plant immunity.
Together, these amendments create a nutrient-rich, disease-resistant zone that sets your tomato plants up for explosive growth and record-breaking yields.
If you want the biggest, juiciest, and healthiest tomatoes, it all starts with what you put in the hole.
By combining simple, natural ingredients like compost, bone meal, banana peels, and more, you create a powerhouse foundation that helps your tomato plants thrive from day one.
Whether you’re growing heirlooms, cherries, or beefsteaks, these eight additions will give your garden the boost it needs for a bountiful harvest.
So next time you’re ready to plant your tomatoes, don’t just dig and drop—supercharge the hole and watch your tomato plants grow like never before.