Changing soil in Rooftop planter

[tcy1227]

Hi all,

I am currnetly planning my garden for the summer.

I have a 3 footx 2 foot cedar planter which I grew tomatoes in last summer and am wondering if I should change the soil in it. I have heardnit is recommended to not plant tomatoes in the same place every year, but I have no idea how I will get all the soil out of the planter and off my rooftop!!

Any ideas as to whether I should or need to replace the soil?

Thanks,

Tom

[rainbowgardener]

I saw that no one had responded to your post, so I thought I'd give it a try. You are right it is not a good idea to grow tomatoes in the same place year after year. Diseases and pests that are specific to them tend to accumulate in the soil. Tomatoes are also heavy feeders, so especially in a small box like that, the soil will just get depleted. If you can't change out the soil, I would suggest adding compost and/or other organic material to it and growing something different this year. Put your tomatoes some where else and you can alternate years.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Broccoli in alternate years with tomato helps cut down verticillium...

HG