Our Top 9 Tomato Tips (2024)

FAQs

Do eggshells help tomato plants? ›

Most of us have heard that eggshells can help increase the calcium in our garden soil, and some of us may have even tried it in our own yards. The goal is to help prevent blossom end rot on tomatoes and other plants affected by calcium deficiency. As it turns out, using eggshells really doesn't fix anything.

Look for a fertilizer that has a high middle number, which represents phosphorus, in the N-P-K analysis. Commonly available fertilizer analysis that are great for tomato seedlings include 8-32-16 and 12-24-12. Mix the fertilizer with water according to package directions.

Adding plant food and fertilizer can help find the right balance. If soil is too acidic, add dolomite lime. If it's too alkaline, add sulfur or composted organic matter.

Coffee grounds contain around 2% nitrogen as well as varying amounts of phosphorus and potassium which are all very important for the growth of tomato plants. By mixing some coffee grounds into the soil below your tomato plants you're introducing these nutrients that the plants need to thrive.

Tomatoes & Epsom Salt

Ultra Epsom Salt treatments at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life can help to prevent and remedy magnesium deficiency in your tomato plants. Simply add one or two tablespoons of Epsom salt for tomatoes to the area before planting seeds or transplants.

Tomato plants have big appetites and need a steady supply of plant food to grow their best. Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules feeds both your plants and the beneficial microbes in the soil (which help plants take up all the nutrition they need) for up to 6 weeks.

Crop nutrition is essential

Phosphorus is important for early growth and root development of the establishing seedling. Calcium is needed to ensure vigorous leaf and root development and canopy growth.

Throwing some compost in the planting hole isn't enough for tomatoes. They should be fertilized from the get-go. To get tomato plants off on the right foot, feed them with a fertilizer that has a balanced formulation. That would be something like a 4-4-4 or 5-5-5.

Plant Deeply and Provide Support

Tomatoes root along their stems, so this trick helps them develop stronger roots. Tomatoes can be planted a lot deeper because they can produce new roots anywhere along their stems. By planting deeper, we can create sturdier, more resilient plants that are primed to thrive.

Should you put anything in the hole when planting tomatoes? ›

If you're reticent to put the fish head in the hole, or simply can't get your mitts on any, we recommend using fish meal as a substitute. Half a cup is about right. We get ours from G&B. The next thing that goes into the hole are a couple of aspirin tablets and some crushed chicken egg shells.

Compost and composted manure are great additions to the soil for tomatoes and lots of other plants. Compost adds basic nutrients and improves soil structure. Composted manure provides nutrients all season long. Composted manure: This provides a slow release of nutrients over the growing season.

Add Compost to Your Tomato Plants for the Ultimate Nutritional Boost. There is one thing you can give to tomato plants at all stages, and that's compost. Routinely adding compost around the base of your tomatoes is a natural way to feed your plants. Compost contains the best food you can give to your plants.

Wondering what plants don't like eggshells? It's best to avoid using them on varieties that naturally prefer more acidic soil, such as azaleas and geraniums.

Many gardeners use eggs in the garden to boost soil nutrients. Try putting eggshells in your compost. You can also plant eggshells or a whole egg in the hole before planting tomato plants.

The plants that love eggshells the most are tomatoes, cucumbers and many others that are prone to blossom-end rot, a problem that eggshells are very good at preventing.

Beyond cukes & tamatas

First, you should always drop the dried crushed shells of a dozen eggs into the planting holes of tomatoes (to prevent blossom end rot) and cucumbers (to make them crisper).