Tomato Fertilizer Recommendations (2024)

FAQs

Tomato Fertilizer Recommendations? ›

Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don't over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.

Fertilize tomatoes at planting time with a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus. Fertilize again with a 5-10-5 fertilizer after you see the first fruit. Finally, fertilize one last time after harvesting the first fruit.

If only one type of formulated fertilizer is used, it's best to choose a balanced product such as NPK 10-10-10. When should I fertilize my tomato plants? You should fertilize your tomato plants just before or during planting, around two weeks before bloom begins, and again when the first tomatoes are small.

Vigoro Tomato and Vegetable 12-10-5: The inorganic fertilizer promises a high nutrient fraction formulated for heavy feeders: tomatoes and many cucurbit vegetables (squash, melon, cucumber, pumpkin). It can be applied early to mid-season for maximum yield potential.

After that you will need to feed your tomatoes. Prior to flowering, use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer with a 1-1-1- ratio. Fertilizers such as 5-5-5, 8-8-8, and 10-10-10 are balanced fertilizers with the proper ratio. Slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote 14-14-14 can be an option as well.

An all purpose greenhouse fertilizer, i.e. 20-20-20, is a poor choice for tomatoes. Tomatoes need a grade with much lower nitrogen and much higher potassium, as well as several other essential elements.

Calcium is important for the development of tomato roots, stems, and new growth, and helps prevent blossom end rot. Adding eggshells in the soil below your tomato plants helps provide good drainage, aerates the soil, and provides a slow release of calcium which helps make the soil more porous.

From this point on I stick with the Blossom Booster 10-30-20. The high potassium will let the fruit finish nicely. Apply the fertilizers every 10 days or so right through the end of the crop.

A great option for a fertilizer that can be used at the planting stage is the Expert Gardener All Purpose Plant Fertilizer 10-10-10 available at Walmart. Once the cucumber plants are flowering, then a fertilizer designed for growing tomatoes is the best option for a feed that is high in potassium.

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.

What fertilizer increases tomato size? ›

Nitrogen and potassium are fundamental to achieving high marketable yields. Correct form of nitrogen is critical – ammonium can restrict growth and adversely affect quality. Phosphorus is important for early growth and root development of the establishing seedling.

15-30-15 can be used to remedy phosphorus deficient soils. Plant-Prod 15-30-15 High P fertilizer is recommended at the beginning of growth, as required by many greenhouse crops, in particular by tomatoes and cucumber grown in open ground.

The tomatoes won't know the difference. They get exactly the same, appropriate amount of mineral nutrients either way. If you are accustomed to using 8-8-8, remember you will use less of the 13-13-13. You should be OK following package directions.

If your soil is well-balanced and composted, you can use fertilizers with ​​NPK of 4-6-3. If your soil lacks nitrogen, use a more balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 NPK ratio, when plants are still developing. Opt for a fertilizer with lower nitrogen levels before the plants start fruiting.

Grow More Tomato Plant Food 18-18-21 (7418) is a premium quality fertilizer that's specially formulated to help you produce more flavorful, firm and plump tomatoes. It contains extra magnesium and it has a higher potassium rate for firmer and bigger fruits.

The breakdown is (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) for fertilizers. The Tomato one is 18-18-21, where the All Purpose is 24-8-16. So it it definitely has more Phosphorus to it -- which can help with the roots, and ripening of the fruit.

Common Reasons for Using Epsom Salt for Tomatoes

Epsom salt is usually recommended as a fertilizer for planting, in a foliar spray to correct yellowing leaves, and to prevent or correct blossom end rot.

Answer. Cucumbers and tomatoes are heavy feeders. They will grow faster and taste better if you have enriched your soil with compost or good organic matter. Some of the expert growers maintain that adding dried seaweed to the soil to boost trace elements will give you stronger and better disease-resistant plants.

This formula is designed to deliver balanced nutrition to your lawn, with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. So if you're looking to achieve that deep green hue and luscious thickness, 10-10-10 might be the right choice for you!