Mater matters > one of the things I like to do best is to grow my maters in virgin soil with organic fertilizer. They don't need a lot of soil so a good fresh mix of peat with potting soil and organic fertilizer is money well spent. Not sure if you can find Pro-Mix in your area. IMHO it is simply the best organic fertilizer and soil type mix available.
Treating the new soil with Azos and Wallace Organic Wonder, Mycorrhizal Inoculant is of course a must as well. I also like amino acid blends of fertilizers like Essential mixed with phosphites and fulvic acids as they are proven to distribute micro nutrients into the plant. The micro I'm talking most about is calcium of course.
So why virgin soil and organic fertilizer? Well there are a few compelling reasons.The first being drainage and compaction of soil and disease reduction. New soil comes free of all these pitfalls.
The second is Nematodes and disease. These are certainly the two most unseen and hidden hindrance's for a tomato grower. In parent soils Nematodes are rampant root scavengers. They will suck juice from roots and vector in so much opportunity for disease its literally incredible. The problem is most growers never talk about these unseen critters. Lastly Organic Fertilizer is natural way of provided fast available nutrients to the mixture.
Another thing I like to do is grow in large pots. 5 to 10 gallon pots work wonderful as long as they drain well. I have found that Air pots placed within a bigger, larger pot are an even better option. They certainly breath and drain easier. The outer shell of the larger pot also keeps nematodes and other soil disease problems at bay. Preventing them from encroaching into the virgin soil is paramount to a happy and healthy Rhizosphere.
The between layer can be made of a soilless mix and organic fertilizer as this will further help in reducing disease and pest migration into the root zone.
I bury the whole two pot assembly into the gardens parent soil chiefly to protect against drying. If your like me it is often hard to ensure consistent moisture. Burying helps to reduce soil desiccation somewhat.
So for very little money a grower could easily have dozen or so plants that would remain healthy and vibrant producing Mega Blooms all season long.
