Are you worried about stunted growth and low yielding of tomatoes? To overcome these problems we built this guide in which you will get to know the best fertilizer for tomatoes.
As tomatoes are nutrients loving plants so the timely fertilization of proper nutrients is the necessary part to get the boosted growth with more yield.
In this guide, we are going to tell you the ground knowledge to grow the tomatoes, fertilizers, and caring tips.
In short, by following this guide your tomatoes will thrive at their maximum potential yielding more and more.
So, let’s get started.
Contents
What Is the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes?
Tomatoes are a well known heavy feeder annual plant. It shows that they need more nutrients to meet their requirements for proper growth. So, if you want to maximize the outcome from the plant then you will need to give more than what is already present in the soil.
The fertilizer for tomatoes could either be organic or chemical in nature but the main purpose is to improve nutrient availability at the root zone of tomatoes.
But before choosing the fertilizer for the tomatoes, knowing the current status of the soil nutrient content is necessary. This soil fertility status can be known by doing soil testing with soil testing kits.
If the soil nutrient status is already good enough to support the tomatoes, then any balanced fertilizer should be used.
But one thing to keep in mind whenever buying the tomatoes fertilizer that never chooses the high nitrogenous fertilizer otherwise it will result in lush green tomatoes and low in yield.
The other problem that can be often seen in tomatoes is the sickly tomato plants that result from phosphorus deficiency. If any of the above two symptoms appear, then go for the high phosphatic fertilizer.
Buying Guide: How to Choose The Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes
The most troublesome step in fertilizing tomatoes is choosing the right fertilizer. So, we built this guide to ease the reader in choosing the best fertilizer for tomatoes. By following these 3 simple steps this journey of choosing the fertilizer would become easy.
Step 1. Check the Condition of the Soil
The very first step in fertilizing tomatoes is to know the current status of your soil. It includes the soil condition, its nutrient status, and soil pH.
The type of fertilizer for tomatoes does completely depend on the type of soil. As each type of soil has some unique number of nutrients in it and this proportion can be known just by soil testing.
For testing soil, two popular options including home testing kits that are DIY and other ones are soil testing kits available in the market.
The level of nutrients composition in the soil can be measured by comparing it with the chart given with the testing kits.
Most of the soil does have a high amount of basic nutrients like nitrogen and magnesium so there will be no advantage of applying the nitrogenous fertilizers on the growth of tomatoes.
So, after testing, if the nitrogen and magnesium is already in enough amount in the soil then you just need to find the high phosphatic fertilizers
Step 2. Check the Growing Stage of the Tomato Plants
During the growth of tomato plants, it needs various nutrients at different growth cycles. If the plants do start sprouting of leaves or a new seedling stage then the application of phosphorus fertilizer will be good.
The best phosphatic fertilizers in the market are available in the form of Miracle-Gro and JR Peters. The application of these fertilizers will help the building of a strong root system.
If the plants are in the developing stage or established then go for the potassic fertilizer like Dr. Earth and Urban Farm, which will help the healthy growth and high yielding plants.
Nitrogen is also an important nutrient during foliage growth but too much nitrogen will lead the plants to more foliage and less yield.
Step 3. Choose the Right Fertilizer
After soil testing, once you know the soil nutrient status then it will be easy to decide the fertilizer. As if the nitrogen is already present in soil then go for the fertilizers that have a high amount of phosphorus.
Consider using the fertilizers containing 5-10-5 or 5-10-10 NPK if the nitrogen is required less.
In case the soil testing result shows the low nitrogen in the soil then the application of the balanced fertilizers like 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 and 15-15-15 will be beneficial for the plant growth.
What if you don’t have a soil testing kit?
If the soil testing is not available at tomato gardens then assume the nutrient status of the soil as balanced soil and go for the fertilizers that are rich in phosphorus.
Role of Macro and Micro Nutrients in tomatoes growth
A soil rich in macro and micronutrients does support the plant growth and helps the build-up of a strong root structure that ultimately supports the vegetative growth of plants.
If the plants are provided with all types of nutrients then it will result in the form of nutrient-rich and fully ripened red tomatoes with the bountiful harvest.
Macronutrients
The Macronutrients ratio in any fertilizer package is mostly displayed in the form of NPK as 10-10-10 or any number. This number shows the percentage of that nutrients in that plant food.
All of the macronutrients do have their vital role in plants growth as:
- Nitrogen stimulates the plant’s vegetative growth as foliage and helps the plant to boost up the growth of stems and leaves.
- Phosphorus helps in establishing the strong roots network and development of blossoms, vegetables, and fruits.
- Potassium has a role in developing the sturdy root systems for the better take up of the nutrients from the soil.
Micronutrients
Most of the vegetable fertilizers do have some composition of the micronutrients that have equal importance in the growth of the plants and fruits as macronutrients. The beneficial effect of these micronutrients is such as:
Calcium nutrient helps the plants to keep them safe from diseases like blossom end rot and some other harmful substances. It helps to create a balanced soil environment for the plants.
The sulfur nutrient helps in the buildup of the plant structure and overall development. Magnesium has a keen role in the photosynthetic activity of the plants.
Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes – Reviews
1. Jobe’s Organics 9026 Fertilizer
This 9026 organics plant food by Jobe’s is a complete blend fertilizer for the people who love to do organic gardening. It does not have any chemical ingredients that could harm nature.
Jobe’s is famous for producing fertilizers for vegetables and flowering plants so make sure to get one that is labelled with vegetables and tomatoes.
This plant food features with its resealability which ensures that it will not lose the potency with time.
The best thing about this product is that it is OMRI listed by USDA for organic gardening which shows that it does not contain any synthetic chemicals which could harm the pets or children and the environment.
The shiny feature of this plant food is the NPK composition as 2-5-3 that completely shows that it is the best product for tomatoes by providing more phosphorus.
Granules of this fertilizer are spread on the soil around the plant stem and watered just after application. It will give fast-acting results and abundant yield.
It contains JobeBiozome that makes it a valuable product for improving soil structure. JobeBiozome is the proprietary microorganism that helps to break down the unwanted materials from the soil.
This phosphorus-rich fertilizer works well for the nitrogen-rich soils and vegetables like tomatoes.
2. Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus
This all-purpose plant food is a complete and balanced food supplement by Schultz to feed all types of indoor and outdoor plants like tomatoes.
It is a guaranteed product that starts working just after its application and this feature makes it a valuable product if the plants are dying by nutrient deficiency.
To get the full potential result, add seven drops of this liquid supplement to a quart of water and mix them well. After mixing well it results in a 10-15-10 solution that is an ideal supplement for nitrogen-rich soils and tomatoes.
As it is a liquid plant food supplement so its application is very easy and simple. A dropper is included in the package. Just add seven drops of the food by dropper.
If there are a large number of plants, get the eight-ounce of liquid and make many quarts of dilution water for fertilization.
The best thing about this food is that it has long-lasting effects which make it a valuable and cost-effective product.
The other great feature is the nutrients delivery of this food as it delivers nutrients directed at the root zone.
3. Jobe’s Tomato Fertilizer Spikes
It is a spike-shaped supplement food product by Jobe’s that also works great for tomato plants. This plant food is in the form of spikes that are really really easy to apply, and have long term results.
These nutrients spikes have the right nutrient formula for boosting the growth of tomatoes and improving the yield
The premium feature of this product is the long term results of a single application as they are time-released so they only release the nutrients when plants need them.
The great thing is the relief from the runoff problems like ordinary fertilizers.
Each spike of this plant food can keep supplying nutrients for more than 8 weeks. Small-sized plants could be nourished by a single spike.
The number of spikes for a plant or container depends on the plant and container size.
The nutrient ratio of this plant food is well mannered according to the tomato plant needs as 6-18-6 which clearly shows that it provides the high phosphate near the root zone to keep the plants thriving.
Application of the spike food supplement is very easy as by just pushing a spike in soil an inch below and nutrients are ready to supply by just watering.
The only thing to be taken care of while using spike food is to insert them into the soil at least 8 inches away from the plant stem.
4. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food
Miracle-Gro is a popular brand among the fertilizer producers companies because it has fame among gardeners due to its perfect results.
The same way this tomato fertilizer by Miracle-Gro is not less than any miracle food for tomatoes. It is specially formulated for feeding tomato plants to get bigger plants and more yield.
The premium feature of this product is the NPK ratio of this blend that works well as balanced fertilizer for tomatoes and does have the nitrogen in a balanced amount to phosphorus so can be used in nitrogen-rich soils.
To get a better result from this food it is recommended to apply every one to two weeks to tomato plants. This blend is specially formulated for tomatoes so it adds the benefit of not adding multiple fertilizers to tomatoes.
When it comes to the application it does have the benefit of easy application as just need to mix the food in water in a watering can and apply it to the plants. But the main thing to take care of is to use as directed otherwise you will burn the plants.
Using this fertilizer on tomato plants will add the bountiful of tomatoes to your bucket then it will show its worth. Just use it as directed for the mixing of food in the water.
5. Fox Farm FX14092 Grow Big Liquid Concentrate Fertilizer
It is a concentrated liquid fertilizer by Fox Farm that helps the vegetables and fruits to grow bigger in size. This concentrated formula is mixed in water to make dilution that will convert the plants into a bigger sized beautiful garden.
It features many micronutrients, earthworm castings, and Norwegian kelp that help the build-up of soil structure to support the growth of the roots. These micronutrients support bigger fruits, flowers, and vegetables.
If the soil testing results in the low composition of nitrogen in garden soil then this high nitrogenous plant food with NPK of 6-4-4 will improve the nutrient status to support the growth of tomato plants in the early establishing stage.
It is the best product for the newly planted tomato plants as it supports the vegetative stage.
The application of this liquid food is very simple as adding two teaspoons of this food in every gallon of water is enough to nutrify the tomato plants.
To get the full potential result of this plant food apply it over every other watering.
6. Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer
Dr. Earth is a popular company for producing organic plant foods. In the same way, this organic plant food supplement by Dr. Earth is a complete blend to support the plant growth that will result in the form of bigger, tastier, and nutritious vegetables.
This plant food ensures the right amount of primary nutrients for tomato plants to thrive and boost growth.
It is a purely organic formula that does not contain any GMOs or any chicken manure, sewage sludge. It does have all the natural and organic ingredients.
The premium feature of this product is the presence of seven strains of beneficial microbes that leads to the more yield of plants by supporting the balanced takeup through roots.
It has an impressive NPK ratio of 4-6-3 that completely resembles the nutrient requirement of tomatoes. It works great in the nitrogen-rich soils even it has the nitrogen but it will keep balancing the nutrient take up.
The vast packing size of this plant food supplement is present in the market so you can keep the pack in the cool and dry place without any harm to its nutritional value.
7. Neptune’s Harvest Organic Hydrolized Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer
This organic liquid fertilizer by Neptune’s Harvest is a complete blend fertilizer that is formulated with hydrolyzed fish and seaweed. It is a complete balanced food supplement to support the growth.
The premium feature of this product is its certified organic nature which clearly shows that it does not have any traces of chemical or harmful substances.
By using this organic food supplement, it gives relief from the worrying of children or pets.
It is a complete blend of fertilizer for all types of vegetables including tomatoes. The NPK ratio 2-3-1 resembles the required NPK for growing tomatoes.
The best thing is that it works on all types of soil types and results in colorful and stronger foliage and flowers.
The only thing to be kept in mind is that it gives 3% P which means you have to apply more food to meet requirements. This blend comes in various package sizes. It depends on your tomato plant’s size and number and how much amount you need.
8. Miracle-Gro Continuous Release Plant Food
This plant food is a complete food supplement and is a complete blend for fertilizing the vegetable and fruits. It has calcium nutrient also in the formulation that is supporting factors for plant structure.
The premium feature that is unavoidable is the presence of micronutrients in this plant food that helps the plants to grow bigger and fruit-bearing capacity.
It is formulated from the natural ingredients that help to nourish the growth of soil microbes that will result in improved soil fertility and structure.
The best thing is the presence of calcium in this food that is not commonly present in any fertilizer. Calcium helps to build the stronger cell walls and structure of the plant.
The presence of micronutrients helps to prevent many disease attacks to the plant.
The application of this plant food is really easy due to its shake and feed nature. Its application does not need any mixing and sprinkling on plants.
A single application of this plant food supports the plant growth for more than three months that is really good time in the daily busy routine.
It is an ideal product for all types of plants even in containers and grounds. Also, it is an all-rounder product for vegetables and fruits so buying a pack can feed all types of plants.
9. Plant Magic Plant Food Organic Fertilizer
As the name describes, this food works like magic on tomato plants. It is a popular organic fertilizer of Plant Magic company that is specially formulated for instant source of nutrients for plants.
It works wonders on all types of soils and the problem of growing vegetables in the sandy soils resolved by this organic food. It produces the more yielding healthy plants in action to the tomato plants.
The shiny feature of this product is the presence of microorganisms that promotes the conditioning of soil and the feeding of plants.
The best thing is its organic nature that relieves from the worry of applying chemical fertilizers around pets and children.
It is the premium product for all types of trees, shrubs, lawns, vegetables, and flowers.
Its organic nature supports the soil structure building for the better root establishment and does not cause any harm to the plants like burning.
The all-rounder nature supports the plants from the seedling to harvest by providing all the essential nutrients at the root zone.
10. JR Peter’s 51324 Jack’s Classic 1.5lbs Tomato Feed Fertilizer
This tomato feed fertilizer by JR Peter’s featured with high-quality nutrients is available in the market that helps to grow great tasting tomatoes in your own garden.
The premium feature of this plant food is its fast-acting and water solubilizing nature.
A 1.5 lbs pack of this plant food contains a high ratio of all NPK as 12-15-30 and essential micronutrients like calcium and magnesium that help the plants to combat diseases like blossom end rot.
The extra high level of potassium by this feed promotes the vigorous plant growth that results in the form of strong stems and roots and vibrant leaves with high yield.
It is the first choice among the gardeners who love to grow the other vegetables too like eggplant, squash, peppers, and cucumbers.
Jack Classic includes a spoon in the package that helps to measure the granules. Mix the granules in the water and sprinkle with the help of a sprayer or watering can.
To get the maximum output of this plant food it needs the reapplication every 7 to 10 days.
11. MASTERBLEND Complete Combo Kit Fertilizer
As the name suggests, the MASTERBLEND works too like a master among fertilizers for tomatoes and vegetables. While keeping your plants healthy and stronger it does also support the bountiful production of tomatoes.
The premium feature of this combo fertilizer kit is its impressive NPK ratio that is 4-18-38 that completely resembles the low nitrogen need of tomatoes.
The other best thing is the presence of calcium nitrate in the product that does support the structure building of plants for heavy loads of tomatoes fruiting.
The addition of Epsom salt in the blend does allow the rebuilding of the soil sodium content that is removed.
This professional product helps to maintain the optimum plant growth due to its easy absorption of nutrients by its water solubilizing nature.
The only thing to be taken care of is the storing of the pack after application as the package isn’t resealable so it needs to be put back in airtight containers after application.
The healthy and boosted growth of the tomato plants will impress you after applying this plant food.
12. Espoma Tomato-tone Organic Fertilizer
This organic fertilizer is not less than a miracle food for tomatoes. All of the ingredients in this plant food are natural and enriched with live microbes that enhance soil fertility.
The presence of soil microbes helps the breakdown of unwanted plant waste to micronutrients that help the soil fertility improvement.
The great thing about this plant food is that it is purely organic and certified products.
The organic food does have the safety feature to prevent the end rot disease of the tomatoes. It keeps the tomato plants nourishing with balanced nutrients with the continuous feeding feature.
By applying this plant food to the tomato plants, the tomato produced by plants will be juicier and plumper and grow bigger in size.
The great thing about this product is that it provides 15 essential nutrients to the plants and all of these nutrients are plant growth-supporting nutrients.
Due to organic in nature, it is safe to use around pets and children.
13. Greenway Biotech Water Soluble Tomato Fertilizer
Greenway manufactures the fertilizers for the fruits and vegetables that are really worth value. By using the products of Greenway a clear difference can be seen among the taste and health of plants.
It is a water-soluble product that makes it an easily applied fertilizer by just mixing in water as directed by the company.
The shiny feature of this product that makes it a valuable product is the NPK ratio as 4-18-38 that ensures the supply of high amounts of phosphorus and potassium at the root zone.
The presence of low nitrogen composition in the package makes it a great product for nitrogen-rich soils.
The presence of trace minerals like iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum adds the nutritional value of the plant food that ensures the safe usage of this food in hydroponics and soil.
The best way of its application is to apply it as directed by the company. Never apply more amount than recommended otherwise it will cause the toxicity of the minerals in the soil.
A single bag of 5 pounds of this plant food will be enough for making dilution of 1000 gallons. But it totally depends on the size of your garden.
Types of Tomato Fertilizer
Fertilizers for tomatoes are available in various forms i.e granular, liquid, and organic form. All forms have their own vital role and way of application.
1. Granular
Granular fertilizers are easy to apply and do less harm in case of overdosing as it is not applied directly on the leaves.
The granules of the plant food are sprinkled over the soil around the plant and watered them just after the application.
A granular form of fertilizers does also comes in the two types as:
Slow/Continuous Release Granular fertilizers
Slow and continuous releasing types of granular fertilizers have a long-lasting effect as they keep releasing the nutrients overtime for months and keep the soil around the plants with readily available nutrients.
To gain the full benefit from the slow-releasing foods, always do the pH test of the soil because the disturbing pH level of the soil reduces the effectiveness of the granules.
Water-soluble granules
Water-soluble granules are the best source of nutrients by dissolving and sprinkling over the leaves or directly sprayed over the soil near the plant.
This type of plant food has an advantage over the others as it can be applied to all types of plants like outdoors and indoors.
It is the most preferable form of fertilizer for the gardeners who have a drip irrigation system for vegetables and fruit trees.
The only drawback of this type of fertilizer is that leaching can occur if the garden soil is sandy.
The most caring step while using the water-soluble fertilizer is to keep the recommended ratio in mind otherwise you will burn the plants by overdosing.
2. Liquid Tomato Food
Liquid fertilizers are the instant nutrient sources that provide the nutrients to the plants just after the application.
Urban Farm, Neptune’s Harvest, and Earthworm Technologies tea Drops are the popular liquid fertilizers for fertilizing tomatoes.
Application of liquid fertilizers is also easy as just need a spray bottle, garden sprayer, and a watering can.
All you need to do is to dilute the solution as per instructions given on the package.
3. Organic Tomato Fertilizer
Unlike synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers have benefits of being environmentally friendly, safe to use in the garden, and also for children and pets.
This type of fertilizer has the ingredients that are directly sourced from the natural sources so they are much beneficial for nature.
The only downside of the organic fertilizers is the odor and slowing action of the plant food.
Not all the fertilizers that stated themselves as the 100% organic, have purely natural ingredients unless they are certified by OMRI or such organizations.
Please make sure to check these certifications before using any organic fertilizers or contact the company for such information.
When to Fertilize Tomato Plants?
Fertilization of the tomatoes starts from the very first day of their transplantation to the garden. After applying fertilizer at that stage now you would need to wait to feed again until fruit set.
After the onset of fruiting, fertilizing the tomatoes every one to two weeks is a best practice until the first frost arrives.
All the fertilizers have some specific instructions that recommend fertilizing the tomatoes until the plants have been in the ground from a few days back.
How Often to Fertilize Tomato Plants?
When it comes to how often fertilizing the tomato plants then the only recommended answer is that you need to prepare the soil by adding fertilizer before growing the tomato plants.
This practice ensures the presence of nutrients to start the growth of plants normally.
After the fruiting stage comes, fertilizer is applied once in a week or after two weeks. Fertilization is kept as long as the plants are producing fruits at full potential.
Before using any fertilizer always read the label of direction on the package. All the fertilizer companies have specific directions of application.
How to Fertilize Tomatoes?
The best practice of fertilizing the tomatoes is to fertilize them while you are planting them. Try to mix the fertilizer in the soil while digging the hole and put that soil near the root zone of the plant.
Always try not to put the fertilizers direct to the plant roots otherwise it will cause burning of plants.
If the plant has come to the first fruit stage then water the plants and do fertilization. There are some fertilizers available that are applied by mixing in water in the solution form.
If using the shake and dispense fertilizers then try to do the watering first and then spreading of fertilizer evenly on the soil. Start spreading the food six inches from the plant base and move outwards.
Care of tomatoes
Tomatoes can be grown on the vast type of soils that is moderate and well-drained. The supply of organic matter and nutrients helps to increase the yield and disease attacks.
But again and again, growing tomatoes on the same land for more than 3 years is not good.
If rotation is not done the many disease organisms’ growth starts there and attacks the tomato’s fruit.
The commonly disease attack on tomatoes are listed below:
- Bacterial Wilt
- Early Blight
- Leaf Mold
- Bacterial Spot
- Buckeye Rot
- Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV)
- Blossom End Rot
All of the above-mentioned diseases are commonly seen in the tomatoes that can be controlled easily chemically by using fungicides for tomatoes.
FAQs
What is the best fertilizer for tomato plants?
The best fertilizer for tomatoes is the one that contains the phosphorus in much quantity than potassium and nitrogen. Any organic or chemical that has more phosphorus composition is beneficial for tomatoes.
What does Epsom salt do for tomato plants?
The use of Epsom salt spray in late season on the tomatoes and pepper plants boosts the yield and keep the plants healthy and green.
While usage of Epsom salt into the soil in the early season aids in germination, cell development, and plant growth and helps in preventing the blossom end rot.
What do I feed tomatoes?
- Soil preparation is the first step before planting
- Fertilize the plants with high phosphatic fertilizers to promote flowering and fruiting
- Keep the soil nutrified all time
- Add the nitrogen fertilizers too if the nitrogen is low in soil
- Avoid the blossom end rot disease by ensuring the presence of calcium in the soil
What helps tomatoes grow better?
Top Tips for Growing the Best Tomatoes Ever
- Grow the tomatoes at the place where the more sunlight.
- Beef the soil completely
- Ensure the timely fertilization and watering
- Do planting deeply to ensure the development of the complete root
- Watered the plants frequently
- Add mulch to keep the soil moist
- Add Epsom salt or coffee grounds
Are used coffee grounds good for tomato plants?
Yes, the coffee ground can be used for tomato plants.
As the coffee grounds are mostly used for acid-loving plants like berries, rhododendrons, and azaleas but can be used for tomatoes too.
But try not to overload the tomatoes with coffee grounds.
Are eggshells good for tomato plants?
The addition of eggshells to the soil is warmly welcomed in gardens as it helps to moderate the acidity of the soil and also provides the nutrients to the plants. Tomatoes provided with eggshells less likely to develop the blossom end rot.
Is Epsom salt good for tomatoes?
Foliar spray of Epsom salts helps the tomatoes to grow bigger and producing the tastier yields. It contains the 10% magnesium and 13% sulfur that are minerals to promote soil buildup.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide helps in deciding the best fertilizer for tomatoes. This guide is built by including the products that are recently reviewed by lawndesire experts according to the outputs of these fertilizers.
You might have grown tomatoes early sometimes but adding the plant food from the above-mentioned list, recommended by our experts will really help your tomatoes to grow bigger with more and tastier tomatoes fruits.
If you have any suggestions or query you can leave a comment in the below box.
