If you like to grow your own fruits and vegetables, tomatoes are a delicious and versatile option that can thrive in both large gardens and small balconies. Despite the popularity of the fruit, tomatoes can be difficult to grow as heavy feeders require constant nutrition and regular fertilization to produce well. “Like many herbaceous plants, tomatoes need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, along with other trace minerals to grow and fruit successfully,” says gardener and tomato grower Emma Biggs. To obtain those necessary nutrients, tomato plants must be constantly fertilized throughout their growing season. In advance, exactly when and how to administer the tomato fertilizer, as well as guidance on which type will produce the best harvest.
Related: Five Mistakes You’re Making With Your Tomato Plants
Key properties of tomato fertilizer
Tomato plants need three main nutrients from fertilizers: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as some other trace elements. Most fertilizers are a combination of these three components; the packaging will indicate the percentage of each. For example, if there is an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, the fertilizer can be labeled 10-10-10; if more nitrogen is present, it can appear as 15-10-10. To find out how much of each nutrient your plant needs, Reynolda Gardens Principal Horticulturist Michelle Hawks recommends testing the soil. This will measure the levels of each element in your soil, as well as its pH, which according to Hawks should be between six and seven for a tomato plant. Knowing what nutrients your soil needs more or less will inform you of the specific series of numbers to look for when shopping for plant food.
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Types of fertilizers for tomatoes
According to Biggs, the variety of fertilizer you use is a personal choice. “I’ve tried a lot of different fertilizers myself over the years,” she says. “That has led me to believe that no one product is best for everyone, and the best way to find out what works for you is to experiment.” With that said, there are a few common types of formulas that you will come across during your tomato trip. Foliar spray is a type of fertilizer that is diluted in water and sprayed directly on the leaves of the plant. Biggs says this type is best applied in the morning. There are also liquid or soluble iterations. This variety should be mixed with water following the package directions and poured into the base of the tomato plant. “Try not to wet the lower leaves or let the water splash on the lower leaves to help prevent the spread of disease,” says Bigg.
If you are using granulated or granulated fertilizer, be sure to spray it around the base of the plant as directed. Organic soil amendments, such as compost, manure, and alfalfa flour, should be mixed with the soil before planting the tomatoes. To help guide your choice, consider which application method is easiest for you and consider whether you want to use an organic or non-organic product. “I use both,” says Hawks. “Organic fertilizers improve the soil throughout the year and inorganic ones increase the production volume.”
Make your own tomato fertilizer
There are many different recipes you can follow when making your own tomato fertilizer, but Hawks recommends using a combination of mixed wood ash, chicken or horse manure, and compost, such as shredded leaves and grass clippings. Add the mixture to a five-gallon bucket and place around the base of the plant, he notes. You can also include bone meal, a mixture of coarsely and finely ground animal bones, in your homemade fertilizer. The phosphorous-rich ingredient will give your fertilizer a nutrient boost.
How and when to fertilize tomatoes
The method by which you feed your tomatoes depends on the type of fertilizer you are working with. Foliage spray, for example, should be applied directly to the leaves, while granular fertilizer should be sprayed onto the soil. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s label for step-by-step instructions; Failure to do so is the reason many people make the mistake of fertilizing their plants too much or too little, according to Hawks.
In terms of frequency, Hawks says he fertilizes his tomato plant containers and beds every two weeks. “When I see that the plant begins to produce large tomatoes, that’s when I move away from fertilizing a bit,” he explains. If you’re growing this variety in containers, Biggs says it’s important to keep an eye on fertilization; These types do not have access to nutrients in the same capacity as those that grow in the soil. “If you miss a week, that’s not the end of the word,” he says, “but staying on top of fertilization will help keep your plants healthy and thriving.”
Our top picks of tomato fertilizers
Tomato fertilizers aren’t the same for everyone, which is why Biggs says it’s best to choose a product that you think will suit your needs and use it as directed. As for the tomato fertilizers that we like? Organic fertilizer with tomato tone ($ 10.67, amazon.com) is an all-natural, organic option enhanced with thousands of microbes. The blend is packed with 15 different nutrients and is specially formulated to produce end-rot-free tomatoes. Another great option is Miracle Grow Tomato Plant Food ($ 12.49, amazon.com). The soluble formula begins to work instantly when mixed with water and poured into the base of the plant. You can also consider an organic offering from Dr. Earth. ($ 12.48, amazon.com). Beyond tomatoes, this fertilizer can also be used for other vegetables. The non-GMO food contains 100% organic and natural ingredients, as well as probiotics and seven champion strains of soil microbes.