Want Insane Tomato Growth? Bury These 5 Things in Your Planting Hole

Let me tell you, I’ve been growing tomatoes for years—some seasons were magical, others were… humbling. One year, my tomatoes grew like weeds, practically overflowing onto the lawn. Another year? I got three sad little fruits from an entire row, and one of them was split open like it had secrets.

But over time—and lots of trial and error—I realized something: it’s not just about where you plant your tomatoes or how often you water them. What you put in the hole when you plant them? That’s the game-changer. Think of it like packing a suitcase for a long trip—your plant’s gotta have everything it needs right from the start.

So if you want those big, beautiful tomato plants with more fruit than you can keep up with, here’s what I always toss in the hole before I even think about watering.

Why This Little Trick Works Like a Charm

• Helps your tomatoes grow faster, stronger, and healthier

• Cuts down on problems like blossom end rot and yellow leaves

• Boosts the soil so you don’t have to rely on a bunch of store-bought fertilizer

• Uses stuff you probably already have around the house

• Makes you feel like a tomato whisperer (and who doesn’t want that?)

1. Good Ol’ Compost: The Soil’s Comfort Food

If you only add one thing, make it compost. It’s like a home-cooked meal for your plants—rich, balanced, and full of the good stuff. I don’t buy the fancy bags unless I’m in a pinch. Most of the time, it’s kitchen scraps, leaves, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings I’ve been tossing into my compost bin all year.

I throw in a couple of handfuls per hole and kind of mix it around with the existing soil. You don’t want a hard layer of just compost—roots can get a little lazy if everything’s too perfect. Make ‘em work for it a bit.

2. Epsom Salt: For That Lush, Jungle-Like Growth

Here’s one I picked up from a garden club friend who swore her secret weapon was Epsom salt. I figured she was exaggerating—until I tried it.

Just one tablespoon per hole. That’s all. It gives the plant magnesium, which helps the leaves stay that deep, rich green instead of turning yellow and sad-looking halfway through the season. It also helps them use nitrogen better. Science-y stuff, but trust me—it works.

Quick note: Don’t dump a ton. Plants can be like people—too much of a good thing, and they get cranky.

3. Crushed Eggshells: The Slow Burn That Saves Tomatoes

Ever had blossom end rot? That’s when the bottom of the tomato turns black and mushy. It’s the worst. Makes you feel like all your hard work went down the drain.

Turns out, it’s usually from calcium deficiency. Even if there’s calcium in your soil, your plant might not be able to absorb it fast enough when it’s stressed (and let’s be honest—gardening is one big stress ball for plants).

I save my eggshells all year. Rinse them, dry them, crush them up in a zip-top bag, and keep a stash under the sink. When it’s tomato time, I toss a small handful in each hole. It won’t fix an existing problem, but it’s great prevention.

4. Fish Heads (Yep, Really): Old School But It Works

Now before you get squeamish—hear me out. My granddad used to do this, and I thought it was the weirdest, grossest thing… until I saw his tomatoes.

Fish heads, fish guts, even fish meal if you can’t stomach the smell—they’re full of nitrogen and all sorts of micronutrients your plants love. It’s like giving them a protein shake.

If I’ve got leftover fish parts (say from cleaning a trout or a tilapia), I bury them deep—like 10 inches down—so no critters come sniffing. Then I plant over that. No fish? A spoonful of fish meal does the trick and won’t make your garden smell like a dock.

5. Mycorrhizal Fungi: Nature’s Secret Network

I know, I know—it sounds like something out of a science podcast. But mycorrhizal fungi are these microscopic little helpers that attach to your tomato’s roots and go hunting for water and nutrients like tiny underground scouts.

They’ve helped my plants grow bigger, bounce back from heatwaves, and soak up way more goodness from the soil. You can buy it in powdered form and just sprinkle a pinch right into the hole before you drop the plant in.

It’s a one-time thing, and it keeps on working for seasons. Total game-changer.

Wanna Go the Extra Mile?

Here are a few bonus things I sometimes add, depending on what I’ve got on hand:

• Banana peel (chopped up) – Adds potassium, which tomatoes love once they start fruiting

• Used coffee grounds – Just a little, mixed with compost, for an extra nitrogen kick

• Aspirin – Yep, one regular tablet can help boost the plant’s immune response

• Cinnamon – Sprinkle a tiny bit in the hole to discourage fungal issues early on

Not necessary, but fun to try if you’re the “let’s see what happens” type like I am.

A Quick Word on Storing and Using All This Stuff

You don’t need a fancy garden shed or a bunch of labeled buckets (though I do love a good label). I keep a small plastic tote in the garage for my fish meal, mycorrhizae, and Epsom salt. Eggshells go in a mason jar under the sink, and compost—well, that’s its own saga.

And when the harvest rolls in? My favorites:

• Caprese salad for days (with a drizzle of balsamic and a little sea salt)

• Roasted tomato soup for the freezer

• Slow-cooked marinara with garlic, onions, and a splash of red wine

• And yes, I still give away bags of tomatoes to anyone who even mentions they like them

Let’s Chat Tomatoes

Alright, your turn—what do you put in the hole when you plant your tomatoes? Got a secret trick that’s worked for years? Or a total flop you’re still mad about? I’d love to hear it.

Gardening’s one of those things where no one knows everything, and everyone knows something worth sharing.

See you in the garden