Should You Fertilize Tomato Plants?

Tomato plants love fertilizer during the whole growing season.

Tomatoes are heavy feeders during all stages of their production cycle. When the plants are seedlings, feed the tomatoes with a fertilizer slightly higher in nitrogen than the other nutrients. Once the plants begin to bloom, a different fertilizer formulation is needed. A fertilizer higher in phosphorus is important for bloom and fruit formation. Other additions that make tomatoes produce more and/or reduce plant problems include calcium and Epsom salt. Calcium helps prevent bottom rot. Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, improves a plant's ability to take up nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium while improving plant growth.

Before Planting Tomatoes

The garden soil needs to be fertilized a week before the plants are placed in the ground. Mix a balanced fertilizer, such as 3-3-3 or 10-10-10, into the soil 4 to 6 inches deep.

While Planting Tomatoes

A starter solution will need to be mixed up after the plants are put in the ground. This is done by mixing 1 lb. of complete fertilizer, such as 8-8-8, per 10 gallons of water. Apply this starter solution to the tomatoes after they have been placed in the ground. This formulation will help the plant develop a strong vegetative system. Having a strong vegetative system helps the tomato plant support and protect any fruit produced.

While Growing Tomatoes

Once the blooms begin to appear, the fertilizer formulation needs to change. Tomatoes require a fertilizer high in phosphorus during bloom and fruit formation. Fertilizer needs to be applied once a week, through foliar application, side-dressing or top-dressing. Foliar application should only occur during the early mornings or late evening when the leaf pores are open. For side-dressing, dig a shallow trench alongside each plant and apply 2 to 3 tbsp. of fertilizer high in calcium in the trench. For top-dressing, sprinkle fertilizer on top of the soil and water into the ground. Mix a shovel of compost with blood or bone meal and apply it around each plant. Water the top-dressing in thoroughly.

After The Crop

Another way of fertilizing tomato plants is to grow the fertilizer. Hairy vetch or Vicia villosa is known to be very efficient at fixing nitrogen in the soil when tilled under before planting. Other plants that fix nitrogen include bigflower vetch, Austrian winter pea, common vetch and crimson clover.

References

• Tomato Gardening Guru; Tomato Care & Fertilizing
• Cornell University Cooperative Extension; Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Tomatoes; Steve Reiners; July 27, 2004
• North Carolina University Cooperative Extension; Growing Tomatoes for Home Use; Larry Bass; December, 1991