Fertilizer Programs for Tomatoes

The right fertilizer regime will give you healthy plants and tasty tomatoes.

In gardening, fertilizer is both useful and necessary for the production of big, beautiful plants. However, with the wide variety of fertilizers and supplements available, prospective gardeners may wonder which fertilizer program will suit the needs of their plants best. In terms of fertilizing tomatoes, the subject of which fertilizer programs are most suitable is a subject often debated. What's known for sure is, both the type of fertilizer used and the method of application have a significant effect on successfully growing tomatoes.

Necessary Nutrients

In fertilizing tomatoes, the matter of which nutrients should be used is especially important. Specifically, six necessary nutrients are required for development. These nutrients --- calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), boron (B) and nitrogen (N) --- are widely available in both organic and inorganic fertilizers, in varying concentrations.

While it is important to avoid nutrient deficiencies, gardeners must make sure they do not over-fertilize the soil. Over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen, encourages leaf growth while discouraging blossom growth, reducing the number and size of tomatoes.

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers, such as manure, compost or bone meal, come from animal or plant sources. In comparison with inorganic fertilizers, organic fertilizers are healthier for the soil long term. They last longer and stimulate the growth of those fungi that actually aid plant growth. Furthermore, organic fertilizers do not carry the risk of "burning," which results when chemicals dry out the plants whose growth they are supposed to be benefiting.

Inorganic Fertilizers

Inorganic fertilizers, like many ammonium compounds, are those fertilizers that come from synthetic or mineral sources. They are widely used but carry the risk of fertilizer burn. Inorganic fertilizers are rated by their nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. For instance, a rating of 10-5-10 would indicate the fertilizer is 10 percent nitrogen, 5 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium. Typically, inorganic fertilizers are high in potassium. Many gardeners choose to use both organic and inorganic fertilizers at different phases in their fertilizer program.

Irrigation

In growing and fertilizing tomatoes, adding sufficient water is crucial. To avoid fertilizer burn, one should ensure that all plants receive enough water for both personal use and the absorption of the fertilizer. Otherwise, the chemicals will extract water from the plant and cause "burn." Many gardeners choose to employ a drip irrigation system in their fertilizer program. Drip irrigation has the advantage of flexibility; gardeners can determine what plants need which nutrients and adjust the drip accordingly to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

Signs of Common Nutrient Deficiencies

Plants deficient in nitrogen may have stunted growth and small leaves. Nitrogen deficiency is corrected through the application of nitrogen-rich fertilizers such as bone meal. If plants are deficient in calcium, they may appear yellow or woody with visible dead spots. One can correct this deficiency by spreading cracked eggshells or bone meal into the soil around each plant. Phosphorus deficiency may be identified through shrunken purple leaves and the delayed maturation of the fruit. Correct this deficiency by applying phosphorus-rich fertilizers like bone meal.

Potassium deficiency manifests through dying leaves, noticeably slowed growth, and fruits which ripen unequally. Gardeners can apply potash and/or organic mulches to cure potassium-deficient plants.

References

• DeltaFarmPress.com: Tomatoes Require Balanced Fertilizer Program
• GrowGardenTomatoes.com: Higher Yields Using Tomato Fertilizer
• Improve-Your-Garden-Soil.com: Avoiding Fertilizer Burn