Transplanting tomatoes into a nutrient-rich garden bed helps start them off right so they produce at their best and remain healthy for the entire season. Tomatoes require three main nutrients to grow well: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Amending the soil with the right fertilizer before you plant the tomatoes encourages healthy root establishment, lush foliage growth, and strong flowering and fruit set.
Soil amendments
Tomatoes have specific soil needs to grow well. The plants require a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If vegetables have grown well in the bed previously, the soil likely falls within this range, but a soil test can determine the exact pH and provide guidelines for adjusting it. Ground limestone amendments raise pH, while sulfur lowers pH. Apply these amendments in the amount recommended by the test, preferably at least three months before planting the tomatoes. Working a 2-inch layer of compost into the top 8 inches of soil immediately before transplanting also improves nutrition and soil quality.
Slow-release fertilizer
A slow-release fertilizer, or granular fertilizer, releases nutrients slowly so it can feed the new transplants for up to two months before you need to add more fertilizer. Balanced fertilizers, or those with a nutrient ratio of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, supply equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with trace minerals the plants need. Work 1/2 cup of fertilizer into the bed for each tomato you are planting. Incorporate the fertilizer with the top 6 inches of soil before transplanting so the nutrients are worked into the root zone area of the garden bed.
Starter fertilizer
Although starter fertilization isn't necessary if you use a slow-release fertilizer before transplanting, the starter solution can encourage healthy initial growth until the tomato roots are established enough to begin drawing nutrients out of the soil. Dissolve 1/2 pound of an 8-8-8 slow-release fertilizer in 5 gallons of warm water. Water each tomato plant with 1 cup of the solution immediately after transplanting it in the garden. You can also use a purchased starter formula made for tomatoes or vegetables.
Maintenance fertilization
If the tomatoes are properly fertilized when you transplant them outdoors, they won't require any more fertilizer until they begin developing their first fruits. Apply 2 tablespoons of the slow-release 8-8-8 fertilizer for each tomato plant. Work the fertilizer into the top 2 or 3 inches of soil, about six inches away from the plant stem, then water thoroughly after application. Repeating this application every four to six weeks keeps the plants at peak production through the remainder of the growing season.
Soil amendments
Tomatoes have specific soil needs to grow well. The plants require a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If vegetables have grown well in the bed previously, the soil likely falls within this range, but a soil test can determine the exact pH and provide guidelines for adjusting it. Ground limestone amendments raise pH, while sulfur lowers pH. Apply these amendments in the amount recommended by the test, preferably at least three months before planting the tomatoes. Working a 2-inch layer of compost into the top 8 inches of soil immediately before transplanting also improves nutrition and soil quality.
Slow-release fertilizer
A slow-release fertilizer, or granular fertilizer, releases nutrients slowly so it can feed the new transplants for up to two months before you need to add more fertilizer. Balanced fertilizers, or those with a nutrient ratio of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, supply equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with trace minerals the plants need. Work 1/2 cup of fertilizer into the bed for each tomato you are planting. Incorporate the fertilizer with the top 6 inches of soil before transplanting so the nutrients are worked into the root zone area of the garden bed.
Starter fertilizer
Although starter fertilization isn't necessary if you use a slow-release fertilizer before transplanting, the starter solution can encourage healthy initial growth until the tomato roots are established enough to begin drawing nutrients out of the soil. Dissolve 1/2 pound of an 8-8-8 slow-release fertilizer in 5 gallons of warm water. Water each tomato plant with 1 cup of the solution immediately after transplanting it in the garden. You can also use a purchased starter formula made for tomatoes or vegetables.
Maintenance fertilization
If the tomatoes are properly fertilized when you transplant them outdoors, they won't require any more fertilizer until they begin developing their first fruits. Apply 2 tablespoons of the slow-release 8-8-8 fertilizer for each tomato plant. Work the fertilizer into the top 2 or 3 inches of soil, about six inches away from the plant stem, then water thoroughly after application. Repeating this application every four to six weeks keeps the plants at peak production through the remainder of the growing season.
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