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-resistantplants. Cucumbers need moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium, so an organic plant food with the first number lower than the last two (like 3-4-6) is good. Keep plants well watered to avoid bitter-tasting cucumbers.
Tomatoes need soil that is high in all nutritional components, and the same fertilizer with slightly higher P and K numbers, will work well. Fertilize your tomatoes just two times during the season--two weeks after planting and again just when the fruits are starting to set -- using the organic fertilizer or a fish or seaweed emulsion. Adding organic matter into your soil in fall or early springprovides the mostlasting benefit to your garden.
Don't forget a soil test for correct pH, and compost amendment.
Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information
FAQs
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.
What is the best fertilizer for cucumbers and tomatoes? ›
A high potassium fertiliser, such as tomato feed or a balanced fertiliser mix including potassium can be used as per the instructions.
Is 10-10-10 good fertilizer for tomatoes? ›
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.
What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes? ›
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.
Are coffee grounds good for tomatoes and cucumbers? ›
Coffee grounds are slightly acidic, so they can lower the pH level of the soil over time. This can be beneficial for acid-loving plants like tomatoes or blueberries, but should be monitored to prevent excessive acidity.
Do tomatoes like coffee grounds as fertilizer? ›
Here are some positive ways coffee grounds improve soil quality and growing conditions for tomatoes: Adds nutrients – Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as micronutrients such as boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc.
Can you use 20-20-20 fertilizer on tomatoes? ›
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.
Is 10 30 20 fertilizer good for tomatoes? ›
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.
Is 15/30/15 fertilizer good for tomatoes? ›
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.
Is Miracle-Gro good for tomatoes? ›
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.
Cucumbers need moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium, so an organic plant food with the first number lower than the last two (like 3-4-6) is good. Keep plants well watered to avoid bitter-tasting cucumbers.
What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes and peppers? ›
Feed fruiting crops that have flowered and set fruit with liquid balanced fertilizers such as compost tea, comfrey tea, or solid organic fertilizers in powder, pellet, or granular form. An ideal fertilizer ratio for fruiting tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants is 5-10-10 with trace amounts of magnesium and calcium added.
Is baking soda good for tomato plants? ›
To create a solution that prevents and treats disease, add a heaping tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and a small amount of mild soap to a gallon of water and spray the tomato plants with this solution. This needs to be reapplied regularly to maintain its efficiency.
How much Epsom salt should I put around each tomato plant? ›
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.
Is Miracle Grow fertilizer good for cucumbers? ›
Tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and other vegetables (and herbs!) will thrive when they're fed every 7 to 14 days with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Plant Food for Vegetables & Herbs. For continuous-release feedings that last up to 3 months, choose Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food.
When should I fertilize my cucumbers? ›
Fertilizing Cucumbers
Make your first post-planting feeding one week after your cucumber plants start blooming. Then feed your plants again three weeks later. Don't be tempted to overfertilize; too much fertilizer encourages more leaf and vine growth at the expense of your fruits.
