How to Fertilize Tomatoes: [Utility, Date, Products and Homemade Ways]
Within the world of vegetables, tomatoes could be considered kings for their image, smell and taste.
But it must also be said that they are one of the most demanding plants out there because they need a lot of care and that is why learning how to fertilize tomatoes is key.
If you already have your plant ready to transplant or it is in the process of flowering and fruiting, write down what we bring you below.
This way you can have it well nourished and, therefore, with a lot of health to generate fruits in quality and quantity.
To deepen on tomato planting:
- Complete guide on tomato planting.
- Tomato pruning.
- Different types of tomatoes to grow.
- Tomato pests and diseases.
- The properties of the tomato.
Why fertilize tomato plants?
The tomato plant needs to be fertilized above all to facilitate its good fixation to the ground at the time of transplanting.
It is for this reason that specialists in the area recommend that the fertilization be done successively in the first month and a half and then rest.
But in addition to regular fertilization, it is essential that the plant is placed in land that is already very well nourished.
Otherwise, it will be quite difficult for the tomato plant to prosper, much less generate fruit to harvest.
What does the tomato need?
For this plant to thrive properly, it needs to contain good levels of phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen.
To do this, it is best to use balanced fertilizers, which are those that have the same levels of each of these components.
These fertilizers are commercially available, but at home we can also prepare high-quality versions without spending any money.
What are the main components of tomato fertilizer?
The main components that the fertilizer must have are the macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
These, in addition to providing the appropriate nutrition for the development of the plant, help to strengthen it against the presence of diseases.
Calcium is counted as another of the determining components to ensure that everything goes properly during cultivation.
In some commercially sold natural fertilizers this compound is included.
Trick:
To make a top-quality homemade compost for your tomato plants, grind up banana peels (potassium), eggshells (calcium) and coffee leftovers.
What deficiencies can it have and how to detect them?
Observation and, later, laboratory tests will serve to detect if a tomato plant is deficient in nutrients.
Nitrogen deficiency
When plants are deficient in nitrogen, larger leaves will begin to look pale and droopy.
In the case of new or smaller leaves, they will remain undeveloped in terms of growth.
Phosphorus deficiency
When the deficiency is oriented to phosphorus, what occurs is that the leaves present purple colors and look weak.
potassium deficiency
In the case of low potassium, the yellow coloration will be present on the edge of the leaves, even affecting the fruits.
lack of calcium
By far, lack of calcium is the most complex problem because it can cause total fruit rot, leading to crop failure.
How to make a fertilizer compound for tomatoes step by step?
A fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium will be what the tomato plants will love and preparing it at home is quite easy and inexpensive.
- To make it, you will need as ingredients coffee remains (well or grounds), chicken manure and earthworm humus.
- In this case, the coffee will provide potassium, organic matter such as manure, phosphorus and humus, the microorganisms that will work on the decomposition.
- To prepare it, simply mix all the ingredients and place directly around the plant that needs it .
- In the case of tomatoes, one application before planting and another after the tomatoes begin to form will suffice for this cycle.
When this fertilizer is to be applied, it can be mixed with fertilized soil to maximize its action potential and enrichment of the plant.
Also use banana peel
Another way to make a good fertilizer is with banana peels, which will have to be cleaned and waited for them to disintegrate before adding to the soil. Unless you can crush them.
These also have a good potassium content and, instead of being left as waste, can be used to improve nutrition.
A similar case occurs with eggshells, which, although they decompose slowly, are useful to help the plant have access to the calcium it needs.
All these methods have an important particularity and that is that they are natural fertilizers.
Chemical fertilizers, perhaps not the best option
Although there are chemical versions that help achieve faster results, they can cause contamination in the fruit.
And, if so, they will become impossible for humans to consume, so it would be a total loss of crops.
Tomatoes need to be worked very carefully at all stages to ensure that their fruits are large, fresh and with a delicious interior.
Where to buy fertilizer for tomatoes?
It is best to go to a nursery or a specialized store in your area. However, if you don’t have access to either, we might recommend these products on Amazon:
- Fertilizer in the form of slow and controlled release microgranules.
- Controlled growth of new internodes
- Ecological organic fertilizer with a high concentration of NPK.
- Organic fertilizer from high-quality plant material, obtained through controlled fermentation, for a…
€19.84 View on Amazon Prices with VAT without transport
Last updated on 2022-07-26 / Affiliate Links / Affiliate API Images
Expert Advice Citrus Organico Organomineral fertilizer specific for citrus, 5 kg
- Npk 6-5-5 contains a high percentage of natural organic substances such as corknut, hops and neem panel.
- The neem panel is a substance of vegetable origin that restores the fertility of the exploited territories and favors…
- Distributed regularly throughout the year, it guarantees complete nutrition and optimal plant development.
- Fertilization period: from March to November; Frequency: every 30-40 days; How to use: shoot, lightly bury and…
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Last updated on 2022-07-26 / Affiliate Links / Affiliate API Images
- Organic fertilizer suitable for Organic Farming obtained from earthworm droppings.
- They help the growth and development of all kinds of plants, improving the soil and caring for the environment.
- The earthworm humus is a product of organic origin that results from the transformation of animal manure carried out…
- It serves as a substrate for seedbeds (we recommend mixing with coconut fiber)
View on Amazon Prices with VAT without transport
Last updated on 2022-07-26 / Affiliate Links / Affiliate API Images
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