changing soil

[keithf]

Hi everyone,

First time posting here on Tomatoville and I really love all the great input.I have already learned quite a bit just reading all off your posts. Maybe I haven't looked at all of the proper subjects so forgive me if this has already been discussed. I have an area in which I am forced to use as my "tomato space" year in and year out. I usually replace my soil in this 20 by 3 foot area with new compost and amendments every year. Do you really need to change the soil from the previous year? I spent a great deal of time and effort last year getting it just right and indeed had a great year. I've tilled the area in preperation for this years crop and it looks real good. Do you folks with raised beds replace your soil every year? I live in Reseda Ca., you know, Tom Petty "living in Reseda ,Ventura Boulevard" and it gets really hot here, any suggestions for heat resistant varieties for this area?

Thanks, KeithF

[bully]

I don't replace it and I grow in raised beds.

I do add to it..compost and on occasion horse manure.

I do believe it is important to mulch, however.

Keeps moisture in
Suppresses weeds
Prevents splash back (water hits soil and splashes on plant and fungus or bacteria kill plant)
Warms soil in early part of season

Welcome aboard by the way.

Living in MI I can't help with the heat tolerant part of the question.

[TomatoDon]

It's not practical to replace the soil every year. "Old" soil may present disease trouble, but just dig a big planting hole each year, fill it with new compost or potting soil, and you've by-passed the trouble.

Don

[Andrey_BY]

If you have no opportunity to use changing vegetable varieties circle method during 3-4 years then it is highly recommended to change the upper 40-50 cm of soil with compost or a new soil with manure every 2-3 years because to prevent deseases.
Usually we change 40-50 cm of upper soil in our greenhouses every 3 years and dig the upper soil in open ground every year with adding compost and manure.