Since the 1800s, tomatoes have made regular appearances on American dinner plates as well as in home gardens. Garden favorites, tomato plants (Lycopersicon spp.) are fast growing and produce high yields of fruits. In order to support their rapid growth and development, tomato plants need a steady supply of food, which they glean from soil nutrients and well-timed applications of fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Fertilizer use
Heavy feeders such as tomato plants can deplete garden soil of its nutrient reserves quickly. Therefore, before planting, have garden soil tested to determine its current nutrient levels. When a specific nutrient is found to be deficient in the soil, use fertilizer to restore the missing element. Knowledge of the soil's composition is also important so that fertilizer feedings can be applied in the correct amount for fast tomato growth and optimal development.
Complete fertilizer
Depending on soil composition, a complete fertilizer containing the three macronutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – in ratios of 5-10-10, 6-12-18 or 10-10-10 provide the nutrients required for fast tomato development. Sufficient nitrogen is necessary because it plays a key role in the rapid growth of the tomato vines and should be applied in regular biweekly or monthly intervals, depending on soil nutrient levels, throughout the growing season, as long as new fruits are being set. Good reserves of phosphorus also are needed for fast-growing tomatoes because that nutrient is responsible for well-developed root systems, which are essential for planting feeding. The third macronutrient, potassium, builds strong stems and wards off diseases, ensuring healthy growth of young tomato plants.
Organic options
Organic gardeners use aged manure, bone meal and fish emulsion to provide soil nutrients to maximize tomato plant growth; determining the correct balance, however, can be more difficult than when using a commercial complete fertilizer. Manure is a good source of nitrogen and potassium, and blood and bone meal can be used to boost levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil. Ash, oyster shell flour, seaweed, phosphate rock and compost also can be used to provide added nutrients to promote healthy and fast-growing tomato plants.
Micronutrients
In addition to macronutrients, micronutrients such as magnesium are essential for fast-growing tomato plants. If magnesium levels are deficient, the plants can suffer from stunted growth because that nutrient helps young plants properly ingest nitrogen and phosphorus, which are critical to healthy plant development. If a garden has a low magnesium level, use dolomite lime or a foliar spray composed of water and Epsom salt to increase feeding supplies in the soil.
Improper feeding
Improper feeding of tomato plants can cause problems. For example, too much nitrogen results in tall tomato plants with many leaves but few tomatoes, whereas insufficient nitrogen produces few fruits as well as slow-growing plants. Overfeeding also can cause leaf burning or plant death. So always apply fertilizers according to their package instructions.
Fertilizer use
Heavy feeders such as tomato plants can deplete garden soil of its nutrient reserves quickly. Therefore, before planting, have garden soil tested to determine its current nutrient levels. When a specific nutrient is found to be deficient in the soil, use fertilizer to restore the missing element. Knowledge of the soil's composition is also important so that fertilizer feedings can be applied in the correct amount for fast tomato growth and optimal development.
Complete fertilizer
Depending on soil composition, a complete fertilizer containing the three macronutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – in ratios of 5-10-10, 6-12-18 or 10-10-10 provide the nutrients required for fast tomato development. Sufficient nitrogen is necessary because it plays a key role in the rapid growth of the tomato vines and should be applied in regular biweekly or monthly intervals, depending on soil nutrient levels, throughout the growing season, as long as new fruits are being set. Good reserves of phosphorus also are needed for fast-growing tomatoes because that nutrient is responsible for well-developed root systems, which are essential for planting feeding. The third macronutrient, potassium, builds strong stems and wards off diseases, ensuring healthy growth of young tomato plants.
Organic options
Organic gardeners use aged manure, bone meal and fish emulsion to provide soil nutrients to maximize tomato plant growth; determining the correct balance, however, can be more difficult than when using a commercial complete fertilizer. Manure is a good source of nitrogen and potassium, and blood and bone meal can be used to boost levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil. Ash, oyster shell flour, seaweed, phosphate rock and compost also can be used to provide added nutrients to promote healthy and fast-growing tomato plants.
Micronutrients
In addition to macronutrients, micronutrients such as magnesium are essential for fast-growing tomato plants. If magnesium levels are deficient, the plants can suffer from stunted growth because that nutrient helps young plants properly ingest nitrogen and phosphorus, which are critical to healthy plant development. If a garden has a low magnesium level, use dolomite lime or a foliar spray composed of water and Epsom salt to increase feeding supplies in the soil.
Improper feeding
Improper feeding of tomato plants can cause problems. For example, too much nitrogen results in tall tomato plants with many leaves but few tomatoes, whereas insufficient nitrogen produces few fruits as well as slow-growing plants. Overfeeding also can cause leaf burning or plant death. So always apply fertilizers according to their package instructions.
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