The Best Type Of Tomato Fertilizer To Use To Help Them Grow Stronger

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If you don't know how to determine the best fertilizer for healthy tomatoes, start with figuring out which nutrients they need the most. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, which means that all types of tomatoes that you may grow in your garden rely heavily on nutrients, whether they get them from rich, organic matter in the soil or supplemental fertilizers. The three basic nutrients required to grow strong tomato plants are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A balanced mix of these nutrients is absolutely essential when applying fertilizer. But one nutrient is a must early on in tomato plant development: phosphorus. Early growth and development in tomato plants sets the stage for the mature plant and a decent harvest. 

Phosphorus promotes vigor in plants, giving them the boost they need to develop and mature. Without enough phosphorus, the roots of your tomato plants may be stunted. Phosphorus is also directly related to a tomato plant's early cell division, so it's a key nutrient for young plants. While you should not overuse phosphorus, there can be consequences to neglecting it in your tomato fertilizer. The best tomato fertilizer — especially for transplants — typically includes higher levels of phosphorus than other nutrients. One of the best tomato growing tips every beginner needs for a successful first harvest is knowing when to use certain fertilizers. Before adding fertilizer to your soil, your first step should be to test it. 

When it comes to fertilizers with a high phosphorus content, the best practice is to apply it to the soil only if a home test indicates a need. Otherwise, you could be overcompensating and providing too much of this nutrient, and over-fertilizing can kill plants. For instances when you aren't able to test your soil, a 10-20-10 fertilizer or a 5-10-5 fertilizer should work well. These numbers refer to the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (N-P-K). Typically, tomatoes grow well with higher levels of phosphorus, but they generally require less nitrogen and potassium.

One good option for tomatoes is the Espoma 5-10-5 Garden Food Fertilizer on Amazon for $32.34, which comes in a two-pack and gets a 4.7-star rating. Or go with Burpee Organic Tomato & Vegetable Granular Plant Food on Amazon for $12.95, which has a 3-6-4 ratio of nutrients, providing slightly more potassium to support other important chemical processes related to growth. This fertilizer has a 4.6 rating over almost 1,700 reviews. 

Using fertilizer with phosphorus in it is especially important early on in a tomato's life cycle. Applying phosphorous when planting encourages healthy root development and as a result, strong, steady growth. This type of fertilizer can be broadcasted by spreading it near the roots before transplanting. However, some reports show that applying fertilizer in a narrow line (banding) near a row of tomatoes may produce more fruit. Along with using the right fertilizer mix, you can ensure strong tomato plants by planting them deeply in the ground. This simple strategy is a proven planting technique for healthier tomato plants in the garden.