Dave's Recommended Products

These are the products I actually use for my 100+ pound harvests. I only recommend what I've tested myself.

Potting Soil

Best Value: Costco Organic Choice Potting Mix
Where: Costco stores (spring season) or Costco Same Day Delivery
Price: ~$10 for 2 cubic feet
Why: Sphagnum peat moss as #1 ingredient. Holds moisture perfectly. Half the price of competitors.

If Costco isn't available:

G&B Blue Ribbon Blend
Where: Big box stores (Home Depot, Lowe's)
Why: Quality peat moss content, reliable performance.

Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
Where: Any garden center
Why: Widely available. Check that peat moss is the #1 ingredient.

Complete potting soil guide →

---

Fertilizer

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food
Where: Any garden center
Why: Liquid fertilizer works best. Easy to apply. Tomato-specific formula.

Alternative: Any water-soluble fertilizer with balanced NPK. Liquid beats granular every time.

Complete fertilizing guide →

---

Composted Steer Manure

Any Brand
Where: Big box stores, garden centers
Size: 1 cubic foot bags (less than $2)
Why: Slow-release fertilizer. Use ⅓ bag per container at planting.

---

Pest & Disease Prevention

Sulfur Dust (Not Powder)
Where: Big box stores sell squeeze bottles
Brand: Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide Dust works well
Why: Prevents powdery mildew and spider mites. Critical for healthy plants.

Important: Get sulfur dust, not sulfur powder. Dust is much finer and more effective.

How to apply sulfur dust →

---

Cages & Support

Concrete Reinforcing Wire
Specifications: 6x6 inch mesh, 10-gauge, 3½ feet x 7 feet sheets
Where: Home Depot, Lowe's, concrete supply stores
Why: Makes 7-foot tall cages that actually support 100+ pound plants. Stack two cylinders.

Avoid: Flimsy tomato cages from garden centers. They collapse under weight.

Complete cage-building guide →

---

Containers

20-25 Gallon Nursery Pots
Where: Garden centers, online nursery suppliers
Why: Bigger containers = bigger root systems = bigger harvests. Minimum 20 gallons, prefer 25.

Why container size matters →

---

Tools

Soil Moisture Meter
Where: Any garden center
Price: ~$10
Why: Takes the guesswork out of watering. Simple 6-inch probe shows dry/moist/wet.

Complete watering guide →

---

Mulch

Straw Bales
Where: Garden centers, feed stores
Why: Keeps soil 30-40 degrees cooler in summer heat. Use 3-5 inches around plants.

Note: Get straw, not hay. Hay has seeds that sprout.

How to mulch properly →

---

Hot Weather Protection

50% Shade Cloth
Where: Online (most stores only carry 75%)
Why: Prevents sunscald on fruit. 50% is better than the 75% sold in stores.

How to use shade cloth →

---

The Shopping List

Here's what you need to get started with one plant:

• One 20-25 gallon container
• 2-3 cubic feet quality potting soil (or ingredients for DIY mix)
• ⅓ of a 1 cubic foot bag composted steer manure
• Concrete reinforcing wire for cage (one 3½ x 7 ft sheet makes one 7-foot cage)
• Water-soluble fertilizer
• Sulfur dust (one squeeze bottle)
• Moisture meter
• One healthy tomato plant (4-inch or larger)

Optional but recommended:

• Straw bale for mulching (if temperatures hit 90°F+)
• 50% shade cloth (if hot weather is common)

See how to use everything →

---

Questions?

If you can't find something or want to know about a specific product, email me at dave@growtomatoeseasily.com. I respond quickly and want you to succeed.

Dave Freed / The Tomato Guy