Question
QUESTION: Dear Greg
I have planted tomato plants in Pots using only Peat moss and i am watering them every 4 to 5 days, it seems to hold moisture just fine and drains well but my question is, can the Peat moss only be sufficient to grow tomatoes in pots?

ANSWER: Sam,

To answer your question, first I have a question for you. Have you ever just used peat moss only to plant your vegetables in before? Peat moss is very acidic. Usually you would mix your peat moss with perlite (those little white rocks in organci soil purchased in bags), and compost in equal amounts. This makes for a great mix especially for starting seeds. When mixing your on starter soil make sure to test the soil, you may need to add some wood ash to bring down the acid in the soil. You can buy a simple soil test kit at Home Depot or where you normally purchase your garden materials.

Peat moss works great for plants that love highly acidic soil such as rhododendrons, azaleas and blueberries.

Where I personally use peat moss the most is in sandy soil. It helps bind the soil together, holds moisture and also holds nutrients in that would normally wash away.

Sam, thanks for the question and I hope this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I just planted in plain Peat Moss 2 weeks ago and they are growing just fine, but as i got your expertized answer in this today i have mixed that peat moss with sand and planted back again, i hope is going to work, just another question! Do i need to add any sort of fartilizer? i have got some Goats Manure, Doff Tomato Feed and Grow More liquid fartilizer! Can you advice me which one is the best to use in Pots for tomato Growing?
Thanks Alot
SAM

Answer
Sam,

I am not sure that you understood my answer. You have combined two of my answers into one solution.

1. Peat Moss if very acidic and I personally have never planted any type of vegetable in Peat Moss only. I was saying to mix in compost/topsoil with your plants.

2. Another question you had was "what are other uses for Peat Moss."
My answer was to use Peat Moss in sand soil to help retain water and nutrients.

As you can see mixing sand with the Peat Moss more than likely did not help your plants. I hope your plants are doing well and if they turn out fine I would love to know.

Thanks again,

Greg