Best Overall
Dr. Earth Home Grown Tomato Fertilizer
Runner-Up
Espoma Tomato-tone Organic Fertilizer
Best Bang for the Buck
Jobe’s Tomato Fertilizer Spikes
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Sweet , juicy , homegrown tomatoes are the paradigm of backyard garden produce , and they do n’t go on by stroke . It takes a combining of diligence , patience , sunshine , and stain fertility to grow tomatoes successfully . In fact , plant nutrition is one of the primary contributorsto tomato flavor and caliber .
tomato postulate fertiliser to produce to their full voltage . The best fertilizer for tomatoessupportsoverall plant development , flowering , yield development , and disease underground . Our top pick isDr . world fertilizer for tomatoesfor its organic formula packed with minerals and other nutrients . However , for sept who prefer a super - easy diligence mental process for their tomato plant nutrient , we suggestJobe ’s fertilizer for love apple .
Choosing the best fertilizer for tomato plant and growing term affect fairly deep research and exploration . delay out some of the top contenders .
Before You Buy Fertilizer for Tomatoes
There are a few things to understand about horticulture before buying tomato fertiliser . For one , even sincerely high - quality fertiliser will fall little if the grunge is n’t suitable for embed . For the soil to beas best as possible for Lycopersicon esculentum , it may need to be improve with nutrients prior to planting , so be sure to have a sampling try before implant or fertilizing tomatoes .
Also mark that overutilization of fertilizer can have negative impingement on ecosystems . The runoff can cause alga blooms , which can starve aquatic life of important nutrient . Fertilizer , whether it ’s organic or not , require careful role , so it ’s important to read the label to know how often to fertilize tomatoes with a pass merchandise .
It ’s also deserving understanding basic tomato plant care . There aredifferent way to found tomatoesas well as when to plant and how toprune them — all keys to the health of the crop .
How We Chose the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes
We know how essentialgrowing tomatoesis to the ultimate comestible garden , so we select our job of meet a lineup of the adept Lycopersicon esculentum fertiliser seriously . We drew upon all our experience in DIY gardening to do up with the most important feature article or rule to look for in a fertilizer .
Once we knew what to look for in tomato intellectual nourishment , we performed extensive production enquiry to get up with a mathematical group of Cartesian product to vet . We compared them based on convention , type , and price to insure they offered substantial value . Products that did n’t pass muster were thresh about away , while those that did were given award based on their strengths .
Dr. Earth Homegrown Tomato , Vegetable , and Herb fertilizer comprises high - quality provender - level ingredients and is enriched with multiminerals , proteins , carbohydrates , humic acids , and ghost elements . It advertize healthy grime that help originate tasty , nourishing veg at family , whether in container planting , garden beds , or native soil , though it ’s not quite as easy to utilise as a liquified plant food .
Dr. Earth fertilizer is legitimately constitutional . It get to the list of Non - GMO Project - verified fertiliser and the Organic Material Review Institute ( OMRI ) lean for constitutional horticulture . It also contains TruBiotic beneficial soil microbes to ensure that nutrients are broken down and released into the soil effectively . The manufacturer also claims it makes the product sustainably in the U.S.
Get the Dr. Earth fertiliser for tomatoes atAmazonorLowe ’s .
constitutional gardener know that the tonality to long - full term sustainable stain health is to feed the soil . Espoma Tomato - tone is an all - natural organic plant food that increases the soil ’s biological body process and delivers organic nutrients expeditiously to plants . thou of beneficial microbe enhance the product ’s effectivity , and it contain 15 substantive nutrients .
Photo: amazon.com
When integrate into the soil atplanting clip , Espoma Tomato - tonus provides a uninterrupted balanced feed . It supports strong root word development , healthy foliage , overall plant dynamism , and yield solidification . Plus , the 5 percent calcium content helps Tomato - tonicity fertilizer prevent efflorescence end rot ( a commontomato job ) . However , the sum and timing to exercise can be complicated , so be certain to read the directions carefully .
Get the Espoma fertilizer for tomatoes atAmazon .
Measuring and mixing fertilizers , cautiously spreading or spraying them , and storing leftovers can all be a painful sensation . Jobe ’s tomato fertilizer spike eliminate time and space squander on fertilise with granules and liquids . A nurseryman simply pushes the spike into the soil , allowing it to part down over clock time to help plants stay healthy and strong for up to 8 week . These specially formulated , premeasured , dull - release spike make for truehearted , easy , and batch - free fertilizing — and they ’re price aright , too .
Photo: depositphotos.com
An vantage of Jobe ’s tomato fertilizer spikes is that nutrient wo n’t wash out as easily as those in airfoil - applied fertilizers . These spikes bring the food to where plant solution can use them . This makes it useful for container gardens , raised bed , or inground garden .
Get the Jobe ’s fertilizer for tomato atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Organic Pick
Big A Tomato Fertilizer
Finding a high - timber tomato plant plant food that is both organic and easy to use can be a challenge , but Big A Lycopersicon esculentum fertiliser might be just the slate . This organic pulverisation is extremely soluble , allow drug user to unify it with water and hold it to gardens well , and the industrial plant can absorb the nutrients quickly .
This organic tomato fertilizer features a nutrient - rich formula that contain amino acids and humic acid . These important nutrients allow love apple to increase water infiltration and retention , promote stronger , healthier plants . And while it ’s project for tomatoes , Big A is suitable for all veggies . It must be mixed with water and can wash away , so it does require frequent feedings — once a workweek in most lawsuit .
Get the Big A plant food for tomatoes atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Granular Pick
Burpee Organic Tomato and Vegetable Plant Food
Burpee constitutive tomato and vegetable flora food offers a slow - release constitutional fertilizer that comes in gritty form . Tilling the granule into the ground or comprise them into container soil at planting time provides the food plants involve to start the season . Gardeners can apply the fertilizer again as a top dressing 8 to 12 weeks later for a full season of impregnable , level-headed growth and large , colorful , tasty love apple .
While not as fast performing as a liquidity , the well-to-do - to - spread granules give up essential nutrients quickly and continue to feed for up to 3 months . This product also follows an easily understood convention for each analogue or substantial metrical unit of garden space , making it simple to apply the proper amount . This normal check beneficial bug and nutrients throughout the time of year and make the OMRI list for organic use . The slow - discharge gritty fertilizer helps young bedding plants , established vegetable , and container planting .
Get the Burpee plant food for tomatoes atAmazonorTractor Supply Co.
Photo: amazon.com
Liquid Pick
Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed Tomato Plant Food
Miracle - Gro is a name synonymous with horticulture success for decades . The mark build a firm reputation on highly effective fertilizers that are well-off to use , and Liquafeed tomato industrial plant food is no elision . gardener can apply this liquid fertiliser through the hosepipe - end Liquafeed feeder ( sell separately ): Simply stick in the plant food pickup into the feeder and release on the water to distribute the liquid .
This outfit comes in a two - pack of cartridges for economic value and convenience . Each refill magazine feeds up to 400 satisfying feet , and the fellowship recommends feed every 2 hebdomad through the grow season . A downside to this convenient method acting of fertilizing tomatoes is that the product does not come with pedagogy for manually mixing the answer in a tearing can , so it requires the purchase of the birdfeeder .
Get the Miracle - Gro fertilizer for tomatoes atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Water-Soluble Pick
Greenway Biotech Tomato Fertilizer 4-18-38
Folks calculate for a high-pitched - quality , water - soluble fertilizer will need to turn over Greenway Biotech tomato fertilizer . This professional rule consists of character ingredients specifically designed for tomato , including nitrogen , atomic number 15 , potassium , boron , copper , and more . This combining creates intelligent and strong tomato plants for folks who favor a piddle - soluble formula or who grow tomatoes hydroponically .
A 5 - pound package of Greenway Biotech tomato fertilizer have 1,000 gallons of liquified fertilizer . The package includes pedagogy for lotion as a foliar plant food or as a ironic product to side - wearing apparel tomato plant in the garden . This fertiliser contains no weighed down metal or harmful fabric .
Get the Greenway Biotech fertiliser for tomatoes atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Or DIY Your Own Tomato Fertilizer
For those who would choose to DIY their own tomato plant food , the process is fair elementary . All that ’s necessary is the correct ingredients and biological action to create a high - quality fertiliser that ’s sure to be organic .
The base of the fertiliser should be compost , as it ’s packed with food . Then sum up items like wood ash , kelp repast , stock meal , and osseous tissue repast to the mix . DIYers can even add the like of coffee grounds , ground bollock shell , or pet and human haircloth ( all of which can also keep pests away ) . Mix this combination until it ’s evenly distributed and utilize it to the garden grime , native soil , or container tomato . As the microorganism and worms work this mix over , they ’ll be putting nutrients back into the ground .
The tomato - fertilizer ratio here will depend on the plant ’s motivation and the soil ’s circumstance . Start by require a soil sample to the local extension to shape the fertilizer ’s needs .
Photo: amazon.com
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Tomato Fertilizers
Each garden is unique . Differences in dirt structure , natural fertility rate , drainage , pH , and other factor think of that no single fertiliser works best in all cases . It helps to have different option at hand for nutrient level that can fill plants ’ needs at different stages of development . believe these factors while shopping for the best Lycopersicon esculentum plant food .
Types of Fertilizer for Tomatoes
tomato plant fertilizers come in three canonic form : mealy , liquid , and water - soluble . Each pattern should be uncommitted in both inorganic and constituent fertiliser option . The clock time of twelvemonth , industrial plant health , weather conditions , user convenience , and other factors influence which formulation will best serve the nurseryman ’s needs .
Granular plant food is easy to utilise , requires no readiness time , and stores indefinitely in a cool , ironical position . Gardeners practice grainy fertiliser either by incorporating it into the soil before planting or by spreading it over the root word zona of established plants . Granular fertilizers arrive in quick - firing or dense - release rule .
irksome - discharge fertilizer breaks down slowly for a foresighted , steady feed , for up to a full get season . gardener can find slow - release formula as organic or inorganic products . Quick - release fertiliser are made of inorganic ingredients that bunk through the soil as they dismiss by water . This provides a flying explosion of nutrients .
Photo: amazon.com
Liquid fertilizer comes in a hard build that must be diluted with water . It arrive in both inorganic and organic options and is instantly available to plants . In addition to the normal program program method acting of drenching stain around plants with liquid fertiliser , many gardener apply rickety limpid fertilizer solutions ( half - long suit or less ) directly to plant leafage .
There are legion ways of apply fluent fertilizer , from a simple watering can to calibrate hose - destruction sprayers that flux the dressed ore with the flow of water as it is discharged . smooth plant food put up a quick burst of nutrient and must be reapplied often . It has a foresighted ledge life if unopened and stored properly .
Water - soluble fertilizer combines the entrepot toilet facility of granular fertiliser with the fast - act capableness of melted pattern . It becomes available to plants directly upon app . Like the other types of plant food , water - soluble I total in both organic and inorganic options .
Photo: amazon.com
Water - soluble fertiliser is usable in a microgranular or powdered build that easily dissolve in body of water . The uses of water - soluble plant food mirror those of liquids .
Soil Condition
The surest agency of knowing if a garden is up to the project of growing tomatoes is to have the soil tested . A ground analysis shows the current levels of all major nutrients and micronutrients in the land . The results will include recommendations for dirt amendment to add that help bring the land into the proper range for gardening .
Every state in the U.S. operates a conjunctive extension service that assists Farmer and home gardeners with growing crop . dirt testing is one of the military service they allow for for a lowly fee , typically between $ 15 and $ 20 . plainly typewrite a State Department ’s name and the words “ extension service ” into the web browser app to get start .
Chemical Fertilizer Content
Fertilizer is made up of three major nutrient : nitrogen ( N ) , Lucifer ( phosphorus ) , and K ( K ) . Nitrogen is the chemical element responsible for foliage growth . Phosphorus avail with root , bloom , and yield production . atomic number 19 build strong stem and overall plant health . manufacturer lean the major food prominently on the label in a ratio , such as 4 - 6 - 4 , always in the edict of N - P - K. The proportion tell apart each nutrient ’s percent share of the fertiliser ’s volume . Fertilizer with a 4 - 6 - 4 proportion is 4 percent N , 6 percent phosphorus , and 4 percent K.
In addition to including the major nutrients , fertilizers may or may not turn back micronutrient . micronutrient typically seem in a less prominent location on the promotion . Micronutrients play minor but all-important roles in various plant processes . Tomatoes notably benefit from atomic number 20 , magnesium , sulfur , manganese , zinc , atomic number 5 , and bull .
Growing Stages of Tomato Plants
Early in life , as the plants become established and grow rapidly before flowering , tomato plant life take nutrients that support root , theme , and leaf development . A balanced proportion of nitrogen , atomic number 15 , and potassium works best at this phase . dull - outlet fertiliser applied at planting time can provide all the necessary major nutrient require for the growing time of year .
During and after flowering , Lycopersicon esculentum plant postulate slimly different resources for efflorescence production , yield growth , and disease opposition . During the fruit phase , mature tomato plants benefit from humiliated N stage and higher levels of phosphorus , potassium , and some micronutrient . Ca is particularly of import in promote yield solidification and preventing blossom end hogwash .
Organic Options
Organic tomato fertiliser are derived from certify organic ingredients . These formulations have a lower concentration of N , phosphorus , and atomic number 19 and ply high spirit level of micronutrients than inorganic product . constitutive fertilizer are less potential to damage plant or contribute to H2O pollution in the event of a spill or other accident .
Most constitutional plant food become available to plant life through microscopical organisms in the soil , like fungi and bacteria . The microbes consume the fertilizer components and then release the nutritious compounds that plants can metabolise . Organic fertilizers support broader grease bionomics compared with inorganic fertilizer .
FAQs
Those who still want more information about Lycopersicon esculentum plant food may discover what they ’re looking for in the answer to these frequently ask dubiousness .
Q. How much fertilizer do tomatoes need?
Timing , frequency , and app charge per unit vary by product . Be sure to follow the app instructions on the fertilizer label .
Q. How do you put fertilizer on tomato plants?
Apply granules either by comprise them into the grease before planting or by spreading them on the soil Earth’s surface after planting . Prepare liquids according to the label instructions and drench the territory around the tomato industrial plant .
Q. How often do you fertilize tomato plants?
Each fertilizer mathematical product discontinue down or is used by the tomato plant a small differently . If using granule , applying two or three applications through the develop time of year usually suffices . Apply a fluid fertilizer every 2 or 3 calendar week . Always use carefulness and read product labels .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll avail you lay out up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised layer , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the correct plants for your soil and neighborhood .
