An exercise in gardening futility?

[freeradical]

If you had limited success growing tomatoes, it might (likely) have been poor growing medium. Here's a good mix for outdoor container plants that I have used:

2 parts Fir Bark
2 parts Peat Moss - pre-moistened with a wetting agent at the rate of one tablespoon per gallon of water
1 Part Vemiculite

1 part = 4.5 cubic feet

Also add this to the mix:

Lime: 8 cups - to counteract the acidity of the organic matter which will have a ph of around 4
Superphosphate (0-20-0) 3 cups
Controlled release fertilizer (20-4-8) 16 cups

Scale it to whatever you need.