What types of conditions are good for growing tomatoes?

Tomatoes grow well in sunny locations with loose, slightly damp soil. Experts recommend soil with a pH of 6 to 6.8 when growing tomato plants, and they recommend enriching the soil with lime when necessary.

Experts recommend working organic matter into sandy or heavy soils to promote damp, but not overly wet soil. Gardeners add lime to the garden in the fall to ensure adjustment the pH of the soil before planting tomatoes in the spring.

Tomatoes grow well in climates that aren't too humid and where the days are warm with cooler nights. Tomatoes grown in dry regions thrive when gardeners place a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds.