What Is the Best Fertilizer for Tomato Plants?

3 Main Fertilizer for Tomato Plants

These types include organic, synthetic, and slow-releasing fertilizers. All of these correct the nutrient deficiencies in your plants and improve soil health.

Furthermore, these fertilizers promote the vegetative, ripening, and flowering stages of your plants. They come in the following forms:

• Liquids
• Powder
• Dust
• Granules
• Pre-mixed formulas

Organic Fertilizers 

Compost, manure, fish emulsion, seaweed extract, bone, and blood meal are all sources of organic fertilizers. All these will help improve the soil condition and increase the soil microbes that encourage plant health.

It may include: 

Compost: The major source of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. All of these nutrients benefit soil fertility.

Manure (aged or composted): It improves nitrogen levels but must be aged to avoid burning plants.

Bone and Blood Meal: Powder form of fertilizers and high source of phosphorous and nitrogen. Both promote strong root development and fruit production.

Fish Emulsion (5-1-1): This is a very nitrogen-rich fertilizer and a minor source of calcium and magnesium. It’s a water-based fertilizer with a thick texture.

Seaweed Extract: It will promote strong root development and also provide resistance against diseases and environmental stress. This natural fertilizer is the best source of trace elements.

Synthetic & Manufactured Fertilizers 

Synthetic & commercially manufactured fertilizers are made to quickly meet your plants’ NPK ratio. On manufactured fertilizers, you’ll always find a labeling that will guide you with the specific ratios of NPK.

So, make sure that if you’re using these synthetic fertilizers, you read them carefully because a mistake may ruin your healthy garden or plant.

It may include: 

Balanced NPK Fertilizers (10-10-10 & 14-14-14): These all-purpose fertilizers provide all parts of NPK and support overall plant health. You can use it throughout the growing season at different growth stages of your tomatoes.

High Phosphorus Fertilizers: This may include the tomato tone (3-4-6) and bone meal (4-12-0). It enhances strong root growth and abundant flowering or fruiting.

High Potassium Fertilizers: It involves potash ( 0-0-60), and it is a high-potassium fertilizer. You can use it as a side dressing or even as a diluted liquid to avoid over-fertilizing.

Slow Release Fertilizers

Such types of fertilizers can take time to release nutrients into your plant system. This may include both organic and inorganic. Slow-release fertilizers usually come in 2 forms such as granulated or coated, and it makes them the easiest option to fulfill the plant nutrients.

It may include: 

Osmocote (14-14-14): It is a form of granulated fertilizer, and you don’t need to apply it on a daily basis. You can easily use it as a top dressing in your soil garden.

Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulphate): Rich in sulfur and potassium. Mix the 1-2 tablespoons in a gallon of water to spray on your plants.

Slow Release Fertilizer Vs. Controlled Release Fertilizer 

Slow-release fertilizer and controlled-release fertilizer are different. Both supply nutrients to the plants, but they work in different ways. SRFs like urea-formaldehyde and IBDU (isobutylidene diurea) need microbial activity to break down the nutrients.

Other than this, CRFs (Osmocote and Nutricote) have a polymer coating that regulates nutrient release on the basis of temperature and moisture.

9 Best Fertilizer Options for Healthy Tomatoes

The best pick among experts is the Burpee Organic Tomato and Vegetable Plant Food. Both are organic and slow-release granular fertilizers. They have the extra calcium and support plant growth throughout all stages.

However, the other best option is the Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles. It is a fast- acting fertilizer and easily gets mixed with water and nourishes the plant.

Below is the carefully curated list of the top 9 fertilizers that can do wonders for your tomatoes:  

1. Burpee Organic Tomato & Vegetable Plant Food 

Type: Granular

NPK Ratio: 3-6-4

Best for: All your vegetative crops and well-established roots or plants.

Limitations: Strong odor but dissipate quickly.

Why it’s great: A certified organic fertilizer containing 5% calcium and soil microbes, it nourishes the vegetative growth of your plants, such as leaves and roots, and also rewards you with abundant, delicious tomatoes.

2. Neptune’s Harvest Tomato & Veg Formula

Type: Liquid

NPK Ratio: 2-4-2

Best for: Container plants and lush growth of your tomatoes.

Limitations: Need to apply frequently.

Why it’s great: It is a fast-acting formula of nutrients for your plants. It is best for strong root development and well-established plants.

3. Espoma Organic Tomato-Tone Vegetable Food

Type: Granular

NPK Ratio: 3-4-6

Best for: Quick growth, extra calcium, and beneficial soil microbes.

Limitations: Frequent application

Why it’s great: It provides an additional 8% calcium for better results and even reduces the chances of blossom end rot. It also increases the rate at which plants absorb nutrients. You can also use it for vegetables in your garden, like peppers & green beans.

4. Miracle-Gro Watering Can Singles

Type: Water-soluble granular

NPK Ratio: 24-8-16

Best for: Tomatoes growing in containers and also suitable for all crops.

Limitations: Need to apply frequently

Why it’s great: It is pre-measured for watering cans. It improves the vitality of the young plants and the health of your tomato plants and other crops at any stage of their growth.

5. Dynamite Organic Mater Magic

Type: Granular

NPK Ratio: 8-5-5

Best for: Plants grown in containers, raised beds, and garden beds.

Limitations: Has an initial odor and needs to apply a lot of fertilizer per plant.

Why it’s great: It is derived from meat, feature, bone, and blood meal. It also provides 4% calcium to your plants to prevent the risk of blossom end rot.

6. Jobe’s Organics Tomato Fertilizer Spikes

Type: Spike

NPK Ratio:  6-18-6

Best for: Easy to use, provide direct supply of nutrients to the plants, rich in phosphorous.

Limitations: Not ideal for all your vegetables

Why it’s great: It is ideal for small-scale gardeners with a small supply of tomato plants. It is also a long-lasting fertilizer that doesn’t need to be added for at least 8 weeks.

7. Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food

Type: Granular

NPK Ratio: 14-14-14

Best for: Your entire garden, easy to apply on plants, doesn’t burn your leaves.

Limitations: Very slow nutrient release and not ideal for tomatoes in containers.

Why it’s great: It is ideal for tomatoes grown on the ground rather than in containers. It promotes healthy root growth, foliage, fruit, and flowers. You can use it on trees, herbs, and shrubs.

8. Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles

Type: Water-soluble granules

NPK Ratio: 9-4-12

Best for: Fast results and contains 4.5 % calcium.

Limitations: Need weekly applications

Why it’s great: It is a very fast, nutrient-absorbing fertilizer needed for the healthy growth of tomatoes. It is the best option for use throughout all the growth stages of your plants.

9. Jack’s Classic Tomato Feed

Type: Water-soluble granular

NPK Ratio: 12-15-30

Best for: Strong, healthy growth, contains calcium.

Limitations: Requires frequent application.

Why it’s great: It is an incredible choice for gardeners with poor soil health and condition.  You can use this to grow eggplant, peppers, zucchini, cucumber, and squash.

What Is the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes in Pots?

A balanced ratio of NPK (10-10-10) is the best fertilizer for tomatoes in pots. You can mix it in the soil when you’re planting a tomato or use it as a slow-release fertilizer to fulfill all the nutritions of your plants.

Pick a handful of bone meal to provide extra calcium and prevent the chances of the blossom rotting. Once it reaches the fruit stage, you can replace it with any water-soluble fertilizer every 1-2 weeks for amazing growth results.

How to Choose the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes?

To choose the best fertilizer for tomatoes, you need to understand the soil condition and the NPK ratios. NPK means the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous to potassium. The best NPK ratio is 5-10-10 to 8-24-24. But, for healthy results, it can also range from 8-32-16 or 6-24-24. Overall, tomato plants need 1/2 pounds of fertilizer per square feet of garden.

To confirm what works best for you, make sure to read the labels on the type of fertilizer you’re using. You can also send your soil to a lab for soil testing.

What Is Soil Test, and How Do You Do It?

A soil test is a way by which you can know the pH, nutrient levels, salinity, and the ratio of organic matter in your soil. Soil testing can help you understand your soil’s overall health and fertility.

The ideal pH range for tomatoes is 6.2 to 6.8 (acidic soil). If you do a soil test, ensure the pH falls under this range. For soil testing, follow these steps:

• Collect the soil from 6 different areas of your garden.
• Dig 6-8 inches deep in each area to remove your soil samples.
• Make sure not to gather any roots, stones, and mulch.
• Mix the samples taken from different areas in a small jar.
• Make sure to break any big clumps with a trowel.
• Let the soil air dry indoors for a few days.
• Pack the cup of soil in a plastic bag and label it with your details.
• Send your soil for lab testing and wait for the results.

Tip: Do not touch the soil samples with your bare hands. The oils on your fingertips can disrupt the soil pH and may affect the results of your soil. 

When to Fertilize the Tomatoes?

You should fertilize tomatoes at 3 stages: at planting, before flowering, and after the first fruit appears.

1. At Planting: Mix compost or aged manure into the soil for a nutrient-rich start. After this, you need to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (20-10-10) to support healthy foliage and strong root development. For example, organic alternatives like fish emulsion (every two weeks) and blood meal (every six weeks) can also boost growth.

1. Before Flowering: Before 2 weeks, when your tomato plants start flowering around 30-45 days, you need to change the fertilizer to a phosphorus-rich one with an NPK ratio of 5-15-5. This will help you enhance flowering and fruit formation. Other than this, you can also use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or organic bone meal for slow-release phosphorus.

1. After First Fruit: When tomatoes reach the size of a golf ball (the first small fruit) apply a balanced fertilizer to maintain steady nutrient levels for healthy fruit production. You can also side-dress with compost to help sustain nitrogen levels.

Best Way to Apply Fertilizer to Tomatoes

The best way to apply tomato fertilizer is to place it directly into the soil and keep it a few inches away from the stem to prevent the root burn. Do not pour or apply the fertilizer directly on the leaves.

If you have dry fertilizer, simply sprinkle it nicely around the base of the plant and avoid applying it too close to the plant stem. Remember, it doesn’t matter what type of fertilizer you’re using; just don’t over-fertilize it

Here are the 2 methods to apply fertilizer on your tomato fruits: 

Foliar Feed 

In this method, spray the diluted liquid fertilizer onto the front and back of your plant’s leaves. The leaves will absorb the nutrients. When using this method, do not apply the foliar spray on sunny days or right before rain.

The best time of the day to apply the fertilizer is early in the morning or late in the evening. You can apply the fertilizer as a side dressing during the rainy season. Later, the fertilizer will easily dissolve in rainwater and reach the deep rooting system of your plants.

Side Dressing 

As a side dressing method, you can apply any type of organic fertilizer like compost, etc. If you’re using organic granular fertilizer, you first need to mix it well in the water before feeding your plants. Doing this will help the soil absorb the required nutrients for healthy development.

Make Your DIY Organic Fertilizer for Bigger Tomato Fruits 

Making your DIY organic tomato fertilizer is a cost-effective and sustainable way to boost plant health and maximize fruit production. Using natural ingredients, you can make organic food that suits your soil’s needs and the growth stages of tomato plants.

The most common ingredients to make DIY fertilizer are:

• Matured compost
• Vermicompost
• Bone meal
• Wood ashes
• Kelp meal
• Chopped banana peels
• Used tea and coffee grounds
• Crushed eggshells
• Epsom salt

Mix the ingredients well to get the best out of it, and let the fertilizer break down in a sealed bucket for about a month before use. Furthermore, you can also make the compost tea from your organic fertilizer.

Make Compost Tea 

To make a compost tea for your tomato fruits, mix one pound of your homemade organic fertilizer with 1.5 gallons of water. After this, stir daily and let it steep for five days. Next, strain and apply it directly to your tomato plants.

This DIY compost tea ensures healthy tomato plants and higher yields using natural and nutrient-rich ingredients.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Fertilizing Tomato Plants

Fertilizing tomatoes is simple if you understand your soil’s NPK ratios and your plant’s growth stage. With the right approach, you can achieve a healthy and productive harvest. However, many gardeners still make mistakes that result in poor growth, low yields, or plant stress.

Here are the most common fertilizing mistakes that you must avoid:

• Not doing a soil test
• Overfertilizing
• Fertilizing too early
• Neglecting soil preparation
• Using an unbalanced fertilizer
• Skipping side-dressing
• Inconsistent feeding
• Choosing the wrong fertilizer
• Poor watering practices

Finally 

Picking the best fertilizer for tomato plants is important for healthy growth. Whether you opt for organic fertilizers like compost and fish emulsion, synthetic fertilizers for quick nutrient replenishment, or slow-release fertilizers for steady nourishment, each type has its own benefits.

Before you select a fertilizer, always test your soil to determine its nutrient levels and deficiencies. Apply fertilizers according to your tomato plant’s growth stage, and remember to avoid over-fertilizing because excess nutrients can harm the plant.

With the right balance of NPK and micronutrients like calcium and magnesium, you can enjoy a healthier tomato harvest season after season!