Scotts Miracle-Gro fertilizer is formulated for a number of different uses, including lawns, houseplants, vegetables and tomatoes. Each type of fertilizer, whether a liquid, dry or slow-release formulation, is designed to provide the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium necessary for your plants to thrive. Depending on the type of Miracle-Gro, it can be a good fertilizer for tomatoes and vegetables. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are tender perennials grown as annuals in the United States.
Summertime vegetables grow from spring to fall throughout the country to turn in lush harvests, but need the right mix of soil and nutrition to do so. Although they need anywhere from 12 to 14 different nutrients to grow, vegetable plants call for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium more often than any others. Synthetic fertilizers like Miracle-Gro provide that nutrition for plants.
Miracle-Gro Fertilizer
Miracle-Gro produces a wide range of soil amendments and fertilizers and sells a line of fertilizers specifically for tomatoes and vegetables. Fertilizers like Water-Soluble Tomato Plant Food (18-18-21) and Shake 'n' Feed Tomatoes, Fruits and Vegetables (9-4-12) provide complete nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium levels for healthy rooting and plant growth. These fertilizers are safe for continuous use in the garden.
All-purpose plant food
Miracle-Gro's Water Soluble All-Purpose Plant Food formula is a good choice to use when establishing new tomato seedlings in the garden. It is high in nitrogen and, if used on older plants, could result in the production of more leaves and fewer fruit, cautions the Grow Your Tomatoes website.
Tomato food
Specifically designed for tomatoes, "Miracle-Gro Tomato Food" supplies more potassium and phosphorus, two nutrients that stimulate blossom growth and fruit production, notes the Grow Your Tomatoes website.
Documentation
Ohio State University Extension discusses the use of two types of fertilizer: time-release and water-soluble. Of the water-soluble types, Ohio State says that "Miracle-Gro 15-30-15" works well for container gardening for all types of vegetables, including tomatoes.
Miracle-Gro is a water-soluble fertilizer produced by Scotts. Each formula differs slightly depending on the desired results. For growing tomatoes, Scotts produces a special tomato plant food with a fertilizer analysis of 18-18-21, but the all-purpose plant food can be used for tomatoes, too. This all-purpose formula contains a higher proportion of nitrogen with a formula of 24-8-16. Typically the tomato plant food is preferred because high nitrogen fertilizer causes lush foliage and inhibits fruits. If your soil lacks nitrogen, the all-purpose formula may meet your needs.
Seedlings
Tomato seedlings can be watered with Miracle-Gro as soon as they have their first set of true leaves, but go lightly. Scott's recommends a dilution rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon of water for inside plants. Apply the solution every 7 to 14 days.
Transplanting seedlings
If you are using Miracle-Gro soil that includes starter fertilizer, you do not need to feed your tomato plants for the first 30 days. The soil already contains the nutrients your plants need to become established and begin active growth. If you are using soil without added fertilizer, you can begin your application of Miracle-Gro at planting time. Young tomato plants that have recently been transplanted to buckets or containers require less fertilizer solution than full-grown plants. When mixed at a rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, transplants need approximately 1 cup of Miracle-Gro plant food at transplanting time and every 7 to 14 days thereafter.
Maturing plants
As your tomato plants mature, their need for nutrients increases. Gradually increase the amount of mixed solution you apply to your tomato plants. A mature plant needs up to a gallon of the solution to supply adequate nutrients to the tomato plant.
Considerations
Plants grown in containers require more frequent fertilizer than those grown in the soil because nutrients can be washed away with watering. Use the health and growth of your tomato plants as your guide to providing them with adequate nutrients. Slow growth, weak stems and lack of color in the leaves may be an indication that your plants need more fertilizer to support their growth. Some gardeners prefer to mix a weakened solution of a quarter strength and use it every time they water their tomatoes. According to Scott's, it is safe to apply Miracle-Gro at its recommended strength of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water once a week.
Summertime vegetables grow from spring to fall throughout the country to turn in lush harvests, but need the right mix of soil and nutrition to do so. Although they need anywhere from 12 to 14 different nutrients to grow, vegetable plants call for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium more often than any others. Synthetic fertilizers like Miracle-Gro provide that nutrition for plants.
Miracle-Gro Fertilizer
Miracle-Gro produces a wide range of soil amendments and fertilizers and sells a line of fertilizers specifically for tomatoes and vegetables. Fertilizers like Water-Soluble Tomato Plant Food (18-18-21) and Shake 'n' Feed Tomatoes, Fruits and Vegetables (9-4-12) provide complete nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium levels for healthy rooting and plant growth. These fertilizers are safe for continuous use in the garden.
Miracle-Gro soil
All vegetable plants must start with the right growing foundations if they're to thrive and grow at all. Mix natural soil with amendments like Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables and Miracle-Gro Sphagnum Peat Moss to enrich and loosen the garden soil and to provide long-term organic nutrition for the plants.
Fertilizing schedule
Use Miracle-Gro fertilizers at planting and through the season for healthy plant growth. Since these are standard rather than concentrated fertilizers, they may require more frequent applications. Follow manufacturer directions in regard to schedule and application of fertilizer.
All vegetable plants must start with the right growing foundations if they're to thrive and grow at all. Mix natural soil with amendments like Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables and Miracle-Gro Sphagnum Peat Moss to enrich and loosen the garden soil and to provide long-term organic nutrition for the plants.
Fertilizing schedule
Use Miracle-Gro fertilizers at planting and through the season for healthy plant growth. Since these are standard rather than concentrated fertilizers, they may require more frequent applications. Follow manufacturer directions in regard to schedule and application of fertilizer.
The benefits of nitrogen
The nitrogen in Miracle-Gro liquid fertilizers is provided by urea, which is anhydrous ammonia (NH3) and potassium nitrate. Both are water soluble, making the nitrogen immediately available to the plants' roots. Nitrogen promotes the rapid, lush growth of the vines and foliage. By combining nitrogen with phosphorus and potassium, Miracle-Gro fertilizers also provide the nutrients needed for strong root and stem growth, flower production and increase the size and amount of fruit.
Nutrient needs of tomatoes
Tomatoes prefer a rich soil, with regular feedings of nitrogen when the tomatoes are approximately the size of a ping pong ball or golf ball. Repeat the feeding three weeks later, and then again after another three weeks. If you're applying a nitrogen-only fertilizer, use one tablespoon of fertilizer per plant. A liquid 18-18-21 fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food may be used instead, feeding the plants every seven to 10 days through the growing season.
Applying Miracle-Gro fertilizers
Whenever you apply liquid fertilizers, water the soil thoroughly first. Mix the Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food at a ratio of 1 tablespoon fertilizer per 1 gallon of water, and apply to the moist soil, following the package directions. If you prefer a slow-release dry formula, such as the 14-14-14 Osmocote Flower & Vegetable Smart-Release Plant Food, scratch 1 tablespoon per square foot into the soil around the plant. Water thoroughly after applying the fertilizer.
Fertilization intervals for Miracle-Gro products
The fertilization schedule varies according to the type of fertilizer you've selected. Liquid fertilizers are usually applied every seven to 10 days because the nutrients are taken up rapidly by the plants' roots. Any remaining nutrients are washed away as you water the garden. Slow release fertilizers, such as Osmocote, are applied every one to five months, depending on the temperature. At 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the fertilizer prills, a type of granular form, last four to five months before requiring another fertilization. In contrast, when temperatures rise to 90 degrees the prills decompose in only one to two months, requiring more frequent fertilization of the garden.
The nitrogen in Miracle-Gro liquid fertilizers is provided by urea, which is anhydrous ammonia (NH3) and potassium nitrate. Both are water soluble, making the nitrogen immediately available to the plants' roots. Nitrogen promotes the rapid, lush growth of the vines and foliage. By combining nitrogen with phosphorus and potassium, Miracle-Gro fertilizers also provide the nutrients needed for strong root and stem growth, flower production and increase the size and amount of fruit.
Nutrient needs of tomatoes
Tomatoes prefer a rich soil, with regular feedings of nitrogen when the tomatoes are approximately the size of a ping pong ball or golf ball. Repeat the feeding three weeks later, and then again after another three weeks. If you're applying a nitrogen-only fertilizer, use one tablespoon of fertilizer per plant. A liquid 18-18-21 fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food may be used instead, feeding the plants every seven to 10 days through the growing season.
Applying Miracle-Gro fertilizers
Whenever you apply liquid fertilizers, water the soil thoroughly first. Mix the Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food at a ratio of 1 tablespoon fertilizer per 1 gallon of water, and apply to the moist soil, following the package directions. If you prefer a slow-release dry formula, such as the 14-14-14 Osmocote Flower & Vegetable Smart-Release Plant Food, scratch 1 tablespoon per square foot into the soil around the plant. Water thoroughly after applying the fertilizer.
Fertilization intervals for Miracle-Gro products
The fertilization schedule varies according to the type of fertilizer you've selected. Liquid fertilizers are usually applied every seven to 10 days because the nutrients are taken up rapidly by the plants' roots. Any remaining nutrients are washed away as you water the garden. Slow release fertilizers, such as Osmocote, are applied every one to five months, depending on the temperature. At 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the fertilizer prills, a type of granular form, last four to five months before requiring another fertilization. In contrast, when temperatures rise to 90 degrees the prills decompose in only one to two months, requiring more frequent fertilization of the garden.
Considerations
According to the University of Missouri, using nitrogen-heavy fertilizer can be risky. Although nitrogen-heavy fertilizer increases fruit production when used at the end of the season, using this fertilizer at the start of the growing season can harm a vegetable plant's eventual ability to bear fruit. Opt for standard Miracle-Gro tomato or veggie fertilizer, rather than concentrated fertilizer, for consistent, trouble-free growth.
According to the University of Missouri, using nitrogen-heavy fertilizer can be risky. Although nitrogen-heavy fertilizer increases fruit production when used at the end of the season, using this fertilizer at the start of the growing season can harm a vegetable plant's eventual ability to bear fruit. Opt for standard Miracle-Gro tomato or veggie fertilizer, rather than concentrated fertilizer, for consistent, trouble-free growth.
Can you use Miracle-Gro on tomato plants?
All-purpose plant food
Miracle-Gro's Water Soluble All-Purpose Plant Food formula is a good choice to use when establishing new tomato seedlings in the garden. It is high in nitrogen and, if used on older plants, could result in the production of more leaves and fewer fruit, cautions the Grow Your Tomatoes website.
Tomato food
Specifically designed for tomatoes, "Miracle-Gro Tomato Food" supplies more potassium and phosphorus, two nutrients that stimulate blossom growth and fruit production, notes the Grow Your Tomatoes website.
Documentation
Ohio State University Extension discusses the use of two types of fertilizer: time-release and water-soluble. Of the water-soluble types, Ohio State says that "Miracle-Gro 15-30-15" works well for container gardening for all types of vegetables, including tomatoes.
How often should you apply Miracle-Gro to tomatoes in a bucket?
Tomato seedlings can be watered with Miracle-Gro as soon as they have their first set of true leaves, but go lightly. Scott's recommends a dilution rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon of water for inside plants. Apply the solution every 7 to 14 days.
Transplanting seedlings
If you are using Miracle-Gro soil that includes starter fertilizer, you do not need to feed your tomato plants for the first 30 days. The soil already contains the nutrients your plants need to become established and begin active growth. If you are using soil without added fertilizer, you can begin your application of Miracle-Gro at planting time. Young tomato plants that have recently been transplanted to buckets or containers require less fertilizer solution than full-grown plants. When mixed at a rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, transplants need approximately 1 cup of Miracle-Gro plant food at transplanting time and every 7 to 14 days thereafter.
Maturing plants
As your tomato plants mature, their need for nutrients increases. Gradually increase the amount of mixed solution you apply to your tomato plants. A mature plant needs up to a gallon of the solution to supply adequate nutrients to the tomato plant.
Considerations
Plants grown in containers require more frequent fertilizer than those grown in the soil because nutrients can be washed away with watering. Use the health and growth of your tomato plants as your guide to providing them with adequate nutrients. Slow growth, weak stems and lack of color in the leaves may be an indication that your plants need more fertilizer to support their growth. Some gardeners prefer to mix a weakened solution of a quarter strength and use it every time they water their tomatoes. According to Scott's, it is safe to apply Miracle-Gro at its recommended strength of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water once a week.
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