Take all the guesswork out of fertilizing tomato plants with these must-know tips.
But you could’t just dump fertilizer on tomatoes and expect great results.
First, you better get to know your soil by conducting a soil test.
Credit:Dana Gallagher
In many areas,soil test kits are availablefrom a local Cooperative Extension Service for a small fee.
There are several commercial soil testing services too.
The lab will then send you a summary of nutrient levels and the pH reading of the soil.
Credit:Blaine Moats
Tomatoes do best in soil that’s slightly acidic, a pH range of 6.2-6.8.
A soil test will tell you if your soil falls outside this range and what to do about it.
Loose,well-drained soilthat is packed with available nutrients paves the way for strong, healthy tomatoes.
Because compost is an organic fertilization method, it’s especially attractive for food crops like tomatoes.
Here’s how to apply it:
1.
Spread a 4-inch layer of material over the planting area in spring or fall to beginimproving soil with compost.2.
Use aspading forkor shovel to gently mix compost into the planting area.3.
In combination with the native soil, compost often provides all the nutrients mosttypes of tomato plantsneed to thrive.
There might not be a need to apply additional fertilizer.
But remember: Too much compost, like too much of any fertilizer, can damage plants.
Dont apply excessive amounts.
How to Fertilize Tomato Seedlings
Soil rich in compost or decomposingorganic matteris usually enough to supporttomato plants.
So you may opt togive tomato seedlings a boostwith a water-soluble fertilizer that is high in phosphorus.
The excess fertilizer also can harm the surrounding environment.
Always follow package directions for utility rate and frequency.
If growth is slow and spindly, for example, plants might be suffering from a lack of nitrogen.
Leaves with a pronounced blue-green tint along with poor growth might indicate the plant is lacking phosphorus.
Gently work the fertilizer into the top inch of soil.
Fertilize tomatoes again with a 12 cup of 5-10-5 when the first fruit is harvested.
Provide nutrients by mixing slow-release fertilizer pellets into the planting hole at planting time according to package directions.
The slow-release pellets are helpful, but will not supply nutrients the entire growing season.
A nutrient analysis of 5-10-5 is excellent for tomatoes.
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.
You might think that coffee, which is high in nitrogen and other nutrients, will benefit tomato plants.
It’s best toadd coffee grounds to your compost pilerather than directly to soil.
Hope is not lost, however.
Do a soil test and apply any recommended amendments to help bring your plant back to health.
