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Growing San Marzano Tomatoes: Soil pH and Rotation

San Marzanos thrive in near-neutral pH. Test your soil; add lime if below 6.5. Rotate crops yearly—avoid planting tomatoes (or any solanums) in the same spot two years running to suppress nematodes and soil-borne diseases.

Bed Prep

Incorporate compost and aged manure annually.
Mulch heavily with straw to conserve moisture and reduce splash-borne pathogens.

These practices matter more than mimicking volcanic soil with wood ash.

Growing Vegetables: Secrets to Perfect Container Tomatoes: Even Moisture Prevents Blossom End Rot; Indoor Tomato Flowering: Fixing Nutrient Imbalance; Fixing Blossom End Rot in Container-Grown Tomatoes; Fixing Misshapen, Hairy Carrots; Why Are My Tomato Skins Tough? Causes and Solutions; Why Are My Tomatoes Splitting? Water and Heat Management; Soil Prep for Tomatoes: Fixing pH and Nutrients; Tomato Growing Tips for a Senior Gardener; Growing Tomatoes in Australia: A Local Guide; Growing Tomatoes in Your Garden: A Practical Starter Guide

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