The Importance of Starter Fertilizers for Tomato Growers
Feb 4th, 2009 by tommy
When you transplant your tomatoes the root mass is small and confined to a container of some shape and size. It is likely that your plants have not seen a lot of fertilizer since you purchased them. If you grow your own this may be different.
Let’s assume that you purchased your plants from a garden center, brought them home a few days ago, and have been watering them from your garden hose until you are ready to plant.
As you are probably aware, the potting mix they have been growing in does not contain much holding capacity for nitrogen and other starter fertilizer nutrients. So, when you plant these, they are likely to get off to a slow start as the roots work hard to get out into the soil and assimilate nutrients into the system. Since we are trying to achieve the greatest number of tomatoes possible, we want them to have the best start possible.
What is the fix for this situation? You guessed it – a starter fertilizer.
I’m not going to go into great detail on all of the available options for this application. Suffice it to say that any organic starter fertilizer in liquid form will do the job. Some people like to make a “compost tea” using a nylon filled with compost and then soaked in a bucket of water. Others use some of the commercially available liquid starter fertilizer concentrates of fish emulsion or seaweed/kelp extract. Whatever you use, apply it twice.
The first starter fertilizer application should be made to the plant while it is still in the pot or flat. This application, made 12 to 24 hours before you transplant your tomatoes, will assure the nutrients will be in the root zone when your tomato is placed into the ground.
The second application of a starter fertilizer should be made right after planting. Watering in newly planted tomatoes is optimum to provide moisture to the roots. So why not provide additional starter fertilizer at the same time? It will benefit your tomatoes greatly and get your venture started off on the right foot.
Successfully growing tomatoes in your home garden depends on many factors. You may not be able to control the weather but you can control other aspects such as fertilization. Providing a good starter fertilizer to your plants will go a long way in producing excellent yields in for you and your family.
Tommy Smith is a professional horticulturalist and the author of “How To Produce 15 To 25 Pounds Of Ripe, Juicy Tomatoes PER PLANT – 15 Tips and Secrets Revealed”. Find out how you can grow tomato plants that yield over 20 pounds each at at Grow-More-Tomatoes.
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[...] over at Everyday Gardening had a great post on that discusses the importance of starter fertilizers on tomatoes. Tommy is a home gardener with degree in horticulture. SO … he’s got some [...]
Tommy’s article is great! If your soil is strong most likely you will not have to deal with deceases, for the plants will grow strong and immune. Although tomato transplants that are available from nurseries are usually dependable, disease-resistant hybrids, if you want to take advantage of the full range of available cultivars, you’ll have to grow tomatoes from seed. It’s important to mention too that unless you plan to preserve a lot of your crop, 3-5 plants per person is usually adequate. Unused seeds are good for three years.
Great points! Thanks for your comment.
Tommy