Water-soluble fertilizers are formulas that are dissolved in water and applied to plants at the base or foliage throughout the growing season. They’re ideal for tomato plants, which have low nitrogen requirements, because they’re fast acting, giving your plants the nutrients they need almost immediately. Water-soluble fertilizers can also be applied more frequently than granular fertilizers.
Foliar feeding
Water-soluble fertilizer designed for tomatoes is available under several brand names in a garden supply store. These are designed to be mixed with water (follow the instructions on the specific brand you purchase) and applied to the tomato plants, wetting the foliage. The foliage absorbs nutrients directly through the surface of the leaves giving the plant a quick burst of nutrients. Excess fertilizer drains into the soil providing nutrients to the roots.
Application
Typically applied with a foliar feeder attachment to the hose, the amount of dry mixture is measured and added to the feeder attachment. As water is forced through the feeder, the appropriate amount of fertilizer is mixed with the water, creating liquid fertilizer for watering the garden. Water-soluble fertilizer can also be mixed in a bucket and applied by hand or with a sprinkling can. Begin by providing a cup of water-soluble fertilizer to young seedlings and gradually increase the amount as the plant matures. Mature tomato plants may require up to a gallon of water-soluble fertilizer with each application.
Timing
Timing of application depends on the specific formula you purchase, but typically ranges from every seven to 14 days. Check the container for the manufacturer's recommendations. Some gardeners prefer to mix the formula to one-half or one-quarter strength and apply it more frequently. For newly planted tomato plants, or those grown in containers on the deck or patio, this may be a good option -- but do not exceed the recommended amount. This is one case where more is not better and may harm sensitive roots or damage foliage.
Producing bumper tomato crop may be a well-guarded secret, but many gardeners agree it begins with water-soluble fertilizer. Water-soluble fertilizer is mixed with water and applied directly to the plants throughout the growing season.
Selecting the right formula
Using a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen will give you a lush, green plant, but not much fruit. Tomato plants require a low nitrogen, high phosphorus, and medium to high potassium content. A water-soluble fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium ratio of 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 is often ideal. Always check the label when selecting a water-soluble fertilizer. Some formulas intended for use with tomatoes will contain traces of other elements, which can change the ratio slightly. Avoid using any fertilizers containing urea or ammonium nitrate for tomato fertilization.
Application
A base application of water-soluble fertilizer provides your tomato plant food as you water it. Follow the mixing instructions on the fertilizer label and then apply it to the soil at the plant’s base with a watering can. The nutrients are released with the water. A foliar application can also be used when your tomato needs trace elements such as iron immediately. Mix the fertilizer according to the label directions, and then apply it directly to the leaves instead of the soil. Whichever way you apply the fertilizer, keep in mind young plants only require about a cup of water-soluble fertilizer weekly. This rate is increased as the plant matures. Established tomato plants can be fed with up to a gallon of water-soluble fertilizer at each application.
Timing
The timing of application depends on the water-soluble formula you use. In general, most formulas require application every seven to 14 days, but you can mix the fertilizer at half or quarter strength and apply it more frequently. This may be necessary for new or transplanted tomato plants, which may require one to three applications of water-soluble fertilizer at the base of the plant to avoid transplant shock. When used as a starter solution, water-soluble fertilizer should have a high phosphorous content, but a low nitrogen and potassium content. Water-soluble fertilizers applied every two to four weeks during the summer help ensure nitrogen stress doesn’t affect your tomato plants. When grown in soils that are low in organic matter, your tomato plants will have little to no nitrogen around midsummer. If the foliage is yellowing, this is a sign that the plants need nitrogen.
Mixing precautions
Read the label instructions before mixing any water-soluble fertilizer, and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you mix the solution so that the concentration of fertilizer is too high, the nutrients will be highly concentrated and this can damage your tomato plant. If you mix the fertilizer in a tank prior to application, use all of the solution before you mix a fresh batch. Never try to mix more into an existing solution because you may increase the fertilizer’s concentration. When using a dry formula, do not apply it to your plants until the crystals or powder have fully dissolved in the water. Check the solution periodically to ensure that settling has not occurred. Settling of undissolved fertilizer can result in an uneven application, and this can lead to stunted growth or plant death.
Formula
Fertilizer high in nitrogen produces lush green foliage with few tomatoes and should be avoided, unless a soil test determines that nitrogen is needed. According to the University of Missouri, tomatoes require fertilizer low in nitrogen, high in phosphorus and medium to high in potassium. A formula of 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 is ideal. However, formulas for water-soluble fertilizer designed for tomatoes may include other trace elements and the ratio may differ.
Selecting the right formula
Using a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen will give you a lush, green plant, but not much fruit. Tomato plants require a low nitrogen, high phosphorus, and medium to high potassium content. A water-soluble fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium ratio of 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 is often ideal. Always check the label when selecting a water-soluble fertilizer. Some formulas intended for use with tomatoes will contain traces of other elements, which can change the ratio slightly. Avoid using any fertilizers containing urea or ammonium nitrate for tomato fertilization.
Application
A base application of water-soluble fertilizer provides your tomato plant food as you water it. Follow the mixing instructions on the fertilizer label and then apply it to the soil at the plant’s base with a watering can. The nutrients are released with the water. A foliar application can also be used when your tomato needs trace elements such as iron immediately. Mix the fertilizer according to the label directions, and then apply it directly to the leaves instead of the soil. Whichever way you apply the fertilizer, keep in mind young plants only require about a cup of water-soluble fertilizer weekly. This rate is increased as the plant matures. Established tomato plants can be fed with up to a gallon of water-soluble fertilizer at each application.
Timing
The timing of application depends on the water-soluble formula you use. In general, most formulas require application every seven to 14 days, but you can mix the fertilizer at half or quarter strength and apply it more frequently. This may be necessary for new or transplanted tomato plants, which may require one to three applications of water-soluble fertilizer at the base of the plant to avoid transplant shock. When used as a starter solution, water-soluble fertilizer should have a high phosphorous content, but a low nitrogen and potassium content. Water-soluble fertilizers applied every two to four weeks during the summer help ensure nitrogen stress doesn’t affect your tomato plants. When grown in soils that are low in organic matter, your tomato plants will have little to no nitrogen around midsummer. If the foliage is yellowing, this is a sign that the plants need nitrogen.
Mixing precautions
Read the label instructions before mixing any water-soluble fertilizer, and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you mix the solution so that the concentration of fertilizer is too high, the nutrients will be highly concentrated and this can damage your tomato plant. If you mix the fertilizer in a tank prior to application, use all of the solution before you mix a fresh batch. Never try to mix more into an existing solution because you may increase the fertilizer’s concentration. When using a dry formula, do not apply it to your plants until the crystals or powder have fully dissolved in the water. Check the solution periodically to ensure that settling has not occurred. Settling of undissolved fertilizer can result in an uneven application, and this can lead to stunted growth or plant death.
Considerations
Fertilizer high in nitrogen produces lush green foliage with few tomatoes and should be avoided, unless a soil test determines that nitrogen is needed. According to the University of Missouri, tomatoes require fertilizer low in nitrogen, high in phosphorus and medium to high in potassium. A formula of 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 is ideal. However, formulas for water-soluble fertilizer designed for tomatoes may include other trace elements and the ratio may differ.
Foliar feeding
Water-soluble fertilizer designed for tomatoes is available under several brand names in a garden supply store. These are designed to be mixed with water (follow the instructions on the specific brand you purchase) and applied to the tomato plants, wetting the foliage. The foliage absorbs nutrients directly through the surface of the leaves giving the plant a quick burst of nutrients. Excess fertilizer drains into the soil providing nutrients to the roots.
Application
Typically applied with a foliar feeder attachment to the hose, the amount of dry mixture is measured and added to the feeder attachment. As water is forced through the feeder, the appropriate amount of fertilizer is mixed with the water, creating liquid fertilizer for watering the garden. Water-soluble fertilizer can also be mixed in a bucket and applied by hand or with a sprinkling can. Begin by providing a cup of water-soluble fertilizer to young seedlings and gradually increase the amount as the plant matures. Mature tomato plants may require up to a gallon of water-soluble fertilizer with each application.
Timing
Timing of application depends on the specific formula you purchase, but typically ranges from every seven to 14 days. Check the container for the manufacturer's recommendations. Some gardeners prefer to mix the formula to one-half or one-quarter strength and apply it more frequently. For newly planted tomato plants, or those grown in containers on the deck or patio, this may be a good option -- but do not exceed the recommended amount. This is one case where more is not better and may harm sensitive roots or damage foliage.
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