If I had to grow only one thing for the rest of my life it would be big , juicy , heirloom tomatoes . There is just nothing like the tasting of a homegrown tomato , and it ’s literally something that you ca n’t bribe .
Yeah , yeah , I recognise there are tomato in the foodstuff stock label as “ heirloom ” , but have you tried them ? Blech ! Cardboard . Nope , there just is n’t anything better than a Lycopersicon esculentum produce at home .
Which is why my end is to help you acquire the upright tomatoes ever in your own backyard . Step one?A really solid fertilization program .
Tomatoes are heavy feeders
There are sure vegetables that are categorized as “ heavy feeders ” . These are crops that require high spirit level of nutrients to reach their full potential difference . Examples of intemperate feeding crops let in
corn , beets , cole crops ( broccoli , cauliflower ) , pumpkins , Cucumis sativus , squashes , and yes , tomatoes .
Though good soil - building techniques go a farsighted mode toward meeting nutrient demand of heavy feeders , a supplemental feeding programme is typically necessary to check substantial yields .
A upright supplementary alimentation curriculum include :
Frequency matters
Naturally , the quality of yourfertilizermatters a great deal . But even more important than the eccentric or brand offertilizeryou use ( like the one I list below ) isthe frequency with which you hold it .
Even if you buy the bestfertilizerin the human race , it wo n’t make any different at all if you do n’t implement it on a regular basis .
How often should you applyfertilizer?
First and foremost , you shouldALWAYS apply yourfertilizerat the rate and frequencies instructed by the producer . This is fantastically important . fertilizer all have varying percentages of nutrients , and , in the the case of water - soluble plant food , depart rates of dilution .
Once you ’ve find the rates and frequencies urge by the manufacturer , you’re able to then set the applicationfrequencyto suit your need . For instance :
I like to fertilize all of my tomatoes on a weekly basis , every Saturday . That agency , I never have to wonder , “ Did I fertilize last workweek or not ? ” If it ’s Saturday , then I ’m fertilizing . So , if thefertilizerI am using recommends an covering rate of 1/2 cup per love apple plant per month , I practice 1/8 cup offertilizerto each plant on a weekly base .
Simply align program to a frequency that works for you , but always keep it reproducible .
Tomatofertilizerfavorites and when to use them
To grow the biggest and luscious tomatoes potential , I rely on a pick of unlike fertilizers . Each one meets specific nutritional goals for the various stages of tomato growth . It involve me many years to figure out what worked for North Texas condition , but it was worth the endeavor . ( Note : I do n’t needfully use all of these in one season . I ’ll pick and select based on industrial plant pauperization / timing and availability . )
Here are my 6 favorite Lycopersicon esculentum fertilizers and how I utilise them :
1.Grow Bigby FoxFarm
GrowBig is one of my favorite urine - soluble plant food . I apply it once my seedlings have 2 - 3 band of true leave-taking ( at half - intensity level ) and then from transplant through fruiting ( at full - strength ) .
2. Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed
Neptune ’s crop is a easy , Pisces and seaweed emulsion that I use for seedlings , as a transplant solution , and as a foliar provender . Frequent app of fish and seaweed emulsion are necessary if using as your solefertilizerbecause the macro instruction nutrient level are so low .
3. Medina Hasta Gro
Medina ’s Hasta Grofertilizeris an excellent all - purpose , water - soluble tomato fecundate . It is especially useful as a starter answer when transplant tomatoes in former spring due to its mellow concentration of atomic number 15 . ( Cool temperatures can contribute to morning star deficiency in untested tomato plant . )
4. Happy Frog Tomato & Vegetable
Happy Frog Tomato & Vegetable is my go - to granularfertilizer , and I utilize it as an all - intention tomatofertilizerfrom transplant through crop . uniform lotion is important for best resolution . Scratch into open of soil and pee it in very well .
5. Texas Tomato Food
Texas Tomato Food is a piss - solublefertilizermade specifically for love apple and contain atomic number 20 for bar of bloom - death rot . employ this after fruit curing .
6. Compost
Great works can only grow in great dirt . Compost is the best soil - constructor there is , and adding plenty of it to your garden each year will ensure the eminent Lycopersicon esculentum yields possible . Before transfer tomatoes into the garden , I incorporate 2 - 3 inches of in high spirits - quality , well - rot compost to a profoundness of 6 - 8 inch .
The best compost is always homemade , but good local source of bagged compost include Nicholson - Hardie , North Haven Gardens , Redenta ’s , Ruibal ’s , Jackson ’s , and Calloway ’s . For bulk delivery , I recommend Alpine Materials or Vital Earth Resources .
Conclusion
recollect : great fertilizers are worthless if you do n’t employ them consistently . This construct is one of the self-aggrandizing secret behind my gardening success ( that I see while growing plants professionally ) .
Now that you have a go at it about these six excellent tomato fertilizers , make a plan for your fertilization docket . Whether it ’s weekly , bi - hebdomadary , or monthly , make a scheme , stick to it , and learn the incredible results .
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