Organic Fertilizer for Tomato Plants

Growing fine organic tomatoes requires proper fertilization.

Finding organic fertilizer is fairly simple, but knowledge of tomato plant nutrient needs is a key element in choosing a good fertilizer for these plants. Eric Vinje from Planet Natural reports tomatoes are heavy feeders and need a lot of nutrients. The ratio of these nutrients in the soil denotes the vegetative growth and fruit production of tomato plants.

Tomato Plant Needs

Vinje states that tomatoes need nitrogen, as most plants do, but that nitrogen promotes vegetative growth while phosphorous is far more important to tomato plant fruit production. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, phosphorous encourages blooming. Blooms are where tomato plants develop fruit, so a plant producing more blooms produces more fruit. Therefore, an organic grower must select a fertilizing method that encourages phosphorous production.

Mulching

Vinje recommends mulching garden areas where tomatoes plants are planned and erecting stakes or tomato cages before applying the mulch. Mulching should occur before planting, once the soil is warm. Organic mulches consist of organic plant matters, such as straws, grasses or leaves.

Liquid Fertilizers

Liquid fertilizers high in phosphorous are readily available, but homemade organic fertilizers are easily made as well. Liquid fertilizers are typically applied to the plant and soil as a spray. Vinje suggests using phosphorous-rich fish emulsions or compost teas for tomato plant fertilization.

Slow-Release Granules

Slow-release organic fertilizer granules are available from many manufacturers, come in varieties designed for tomato usage and typically contain vegetable and animal meals that release nutrients in soil over time. Vinje says the use of these granules involves merely scattering them around established plants, and that "they release slowly, will not burn plants, contain all kinds of micronutrients in addition to nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, and even improve the texture of the soil as they break down."

Worm Castings

The waste of worms is rich in many nutrients that tomato plants need.

Organic worm castings are another source of phosphorous-rich nutrients necessary for healthy productive tomato plants. The worm experts at Rising Mist Organic Farms in Belvue, Kansas, report these worm waste products contain as much as "11 times more nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, potash and magnesium than (the average) topsoil (content)." Worm castings are added directly to soil or made into a "tea" and sprayed directly on plants.

References

• Planet Natural: How to Grow Tomatoes -- Organic Tomato Gardening
• North Carolina Department of Agriculture: Plant Nutrients
• Rising Mist Organic Farms: Worm Castings, Organic Fertilizer