Cathy Isom lets you know about the different types, as well as what is needed for the right fertilizer for the ultimate tomato harvest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Like all plants, tomatoes require three main macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For all plant life, nitrogen allows for thick, full leaf growth. Phosphorus is required for blossom, and thus fruit, to form. Potassium is necessary for healthy root growth.
Tomatoes need all three, but in the wrong combination you might end up with leafy growth and no fruit. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and they need plenty of nutrients to thrive throughout the season.
Before you start liberally sprinkling fertilizer all over your garden, check your soil. Adding fertilizer without knowing the nutrient composition of your soil may lead to over-fertilizing, which is wasteful and may cause growth issues. The biggest tip to follow is to avoid high concentrations of nitrogen when choosing a fertilizer, which will help you avoid tall plants without fruit set.
If you’re wondering which form of fertilizer is ideal for tomatoes, it largely depends on your preference. Granules are probably the most convenient type of fertilizer. All you need to do is sprinkle the mini pebbles around the base of your plants. As it rains or you water your plants, the granules release nutrients into your soil. For extended fertilizing, choose slow release formulas, which release nutrients over a longer period than water-soluble products. Water-soluble fertilizers dissolve quickly, but it’s also easier to over-fertilize with this type of fertilizer.
I’m Cathy Isom…