Is Sugar a Good Fertilizer for Tomato Plants?
Tomato plants require a balance of nutrients and growing conditions to flourish and produce fruit. Many nutrients already exist in the soil where the tomatoes are planted. If they aren't in the right quantity or ratio, growers must fertilize with additional nutrients. Does this Spark an idea?
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Soil Testing
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Before choosing a fertilizer for tomato plants, have the soil tested for nutrients and pH level. Take soil samples to the county agricultural extension service office in your area. Some gardening centers also provide this service.
Fertilizing
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Use the test results to select a fertilizer. The most common fertilizer elements recommended, based on testing, will be nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the correct balance.
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Growing Conditions
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Other growing conditions critical to good tomato production are temperature, light and water.
Process
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When the correct balance of growing conditions and fertility are present, cells in the plant leaves convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrate (sugars) and oxygen, using the energy provided by light from sunshine. This process is called photosynthesis. Tomato plants store sugars from photosynthesis in leaves and fruit.
Sugar
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There is no plant mechanism to absorb and use sugar applied to the soil in the developing plant and its fruit. Therefore, application of sugar as a fertilizer will not aid in production.
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