Tomato planting is something I look forward to every spring. I start to count down the days from when I plant my first seed indoors to when I might be holding my first vine-ripened tomato. Before it even gets back to the kitchen, I take a bite of the sweet, juicy flesh and the juices run down my face.
But if I want to grow the most tomatoes and enjoy a bumper crop, I need a good—no, great—tomato fertilizer that will feed the soil and help plants grow all season.
Please note that if you buy something after reading this article or clicking on one of my links, I may get paid a small fee.
When you want to use tomato fertilizer that you can buy right off the shelf, like this organic one from Espoma or this one from Dr. It’s worth a little extra work each season to make sure your tomato plants really reach their fullest potential. I’ve used both for a long time and had good results.
This detailed guide will show you how to get the soil ready for planting and how to use fish heads, which are my “secret ingredient” for tomato fertilizers.
This strange and amazing soil amendment also works great for other plants that need a lot of nitrogen, and I’ll show you how to use fish heads as an organic fertilizer in your vegetable garden.
Tomatoes are one of the most popular crops for home gardeners to grow. And it’s no wonder – biting into a fresh, juicy, homegrown tomato is an unparalleled culinary delight.
But getting those plump, abundant tomatoes requires providing plants with the right nutrients at the right time. That’s where fertilizer comes in. When it comes to feeding tomatoes, fish fertilizer is hands-down one of the best options.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll dive into why fish fertilizer helps tomatoes thrive, how to use it for optimal results, and some tips for growing your biggest, tastiest tomato crop ever.
Why Fish Fertilizer is Ideal for Tomatoes
Tomatoes are heavy feeders that require high levels of certain key nutrients
- Phosphorus – promotes flowering and fruit production
- Calcium – prevents blossom end rot
- Nitrogen – encourages vegetative growth
Fish fertilizer naturally provides all three of these nutrients in a readily available, fast-acting form that tomato plants can quickly take up and utilize
The phosphorus and calcium help tomatoes set more flowers and develop plump, flawless fruits. And the nitrogen spurs lush vegetative growth to support fruit production.
In addition, fish fertilizer contains a wide array of micronutrients that further enhance tomato health and yields. These include iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and more.
Compared to synthetic fertilizers, fish fertilizer also nurtures overall soil health by feeding beneficial soil microbes. These microorganisms help break down organic matter and release nutrients in plant-available forms.
For all these reasons, fish fertilizer gives tomatoes the perfectly balanced feast they crave.
When and How Often to Use Fish Fertilizer on Tomatoes
Fish fertilizer can be applied at several key stages to maximize tomato performance:
Pre-Plant
Work a moderate amount of fish fertilizer into the soil 2-4 weeks before transplanting seedlings. This gives soil microbes time to start breaking it down for steady nitrogen release.
At Transplant
Place some fish fertilizer in each planting hole before setting out seedlings. This puts nutrients right where young roots can access them to spur establishment.
During Growth
Feed established plants with fish fertilizer every 2-4 weeks according to label rates. Time applications before major flowering and fruiting stages when nutrient needs peak.
Before Heavy Fruit Sets
Boost phosphorus with fish fertilizer right before the biggest fruit sets to increase the number and size of tomatoes.
With this fertilizing schedule, your tomatoes will have a nutritional smorgasbord from the ground up!
How to Apply Fish Fertilizer to Tomato Plants
Fish fertilizer can be worked into soil or applied as a foliar spray:
Soil application: Sprinkle granular formulations over the soil surface around plants according to label directions, then water in thoroughly. This method is less labor-intensive for feeding larger areas.
Foliar spray: Mix liquid fish fertilizer with water per label instructions and spray onto plant leaves. This provides more immediate nutrient absorption. Pay close attention to label concentration rates.
Always follow label application guidelines to avoid burning plants with over-concentrated mixes. Fish fertilizer is powerfully potent!
Fish Fertilizer Application Tips
Follow these tips to get the most out of using fish fertilizer on tomatoes:
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Apply in morning or evening to avoid leaf burn.
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Water soil thoroughly after applying to prevent fertilizer from burning roots.
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Alternate fish fertilizer with compost teas or kelp extracts for a nutritional variety.
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Rinse tomatoes well at harvest to remove any fish fertilizer residues.
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Store unused mixed fertilizer in sealed containers out of sunlight to maintain potency.
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Troubleshoot poor growth with tissue tests before applying more fertilizer.
Best Fish Fertilizer Sources for Tomatoes
You can purchase premixed liquid or granular fish fertilizer products from garden centers. Look for options certified for organic growing.
But for a more sustainable (and odor-free!) alternative, try using one of these homemade sources:
Fish emulsion: Blend fish parts and waste with water. Strain liquid and dilute per directions.
Buried fish: Bury small whole fish 6-8” deep near plants. As they decompose, nutrients are released.
Composted fish waste: Add cleaned fish waste to compost pile. Apply finished compost around tomatoes.
No matter which type you use, fish fertilizer is a natural way to cultivate amazing tomatoes!
Tomato Growing Tips for Maximizing Fish Fertilizer Benefits
To make the most of fish fertilizer, be sure to fully support your tomato plants with proper care:
Choose adapted varieties – Select tomato types suited for your growing season length and conditions.
Prepare soil pre-season – Dig in compost and natural fertilizer several weeks before planting.
Transplant properly – Harden off, bury deep, and water in seedlings well after transplant.
Use supports – Stake, cage, or trellis plants to optimize growth and prevent diseases.
Water thoroughly – Give plants a deep soak at soil level every few days in dry periods.
Control pests – Handpick or use organic sprays to prevent insect damage.
Monitor for diseases – Remove affected leaves immediately and improve air flow.
Harvest at peak – Pick tomatoes when fully colored but still firm.
With the right care and the right fertilizer, your tomato crop will be bountiful and delicious!
How Fish Fertilizer Delivers Results
Seeing is believing when it comes to fish fertilizer benefits! Here are some visual examples of how it helps backyard tomatoes thrive:
[Photo 1: Tomato plant with lots of green foliage and flowers]
Lush, vigorous vines with ample flowers
[Photo 2: Tomatoes ripening on vine with no cracks or dark spots]
Large, flawless fruits free of issues like blossom end rot
[Photo 3: Bucket full of red ripe tomatoes]
Bumper harvests with heavier total yields
[Photo 4: Person holding a giant huge tomato]
Jumbo-sized fruits that make your neighbors jealous!
It’s plain to see that fish fertilizer gives tomato plants the nourishment they need for a stellar showing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fish Fertilizer for Tomatoes
If you’re new to using fish fertilizer, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:
Is the smell of fish fertilizer very strong?
High-quality fish fertilizers sold for gardening have very little odor. Composting fish waste before applying also reduces smells.
Can too much fish fertilizer burn my tomato plants?
Yes, using excessive amounts or applying too frequently may cause fertilizer burn. Always follow label instructions.
How soon before harvesting can I apply fish fertilizer?
Stop applying 1-2 weeks before picking tomatoes to allow any residue to fully break down. Rinse fruits well at harvest.
Should fish fertilizer touch the actual plants when applying?
Avoid direct contact with leaves and stems which can cause leaf burn. Water into the soil surface instead.
Is fish fertilizer safe for edible vegetable gardens?
Yes, fish fertilizers produced commercially for food gardening areapproved for organic growing. Just be sure to follow label dilution rates.
How long does fish fertilizer last before expiring?
Shelf life varies by product, but most liquid or granular versions lasts several months to a year or more if stored properly.
Grow Your Best Tomato Crop Ever with Fish Fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizing tomatoes for maximum yield, fish fertilizer has proven results. It naturally provides the ideal balance of major nutrients and trace elements tomatoes crave.
Follow the tips in this guide for successfully feeding your plants at the right times and rates. Pair proper fertilizing with attentive care and culture tailored to your climate and tomatoes types.
With fish fertilizer powering your plants, you’ll be harvesting the plumpest, juiciest tomatoes yet and enjoying homegrown flavor at its finest. The bounty of beautiful fruits will have gardeners green with envy at your green thumb glory!
Step 3: Continue adding amendments to the planting hole.
Two aspirin tabs (to boost your immune system) and a handful of crushed eggshells are the next things to go down the hole.
It’s important to note that the eggshells won’t help your plants this season because it takes time for them to break down into calcium that plants can use. But they will help your plants when your crops move back to the same bed in two years, assuming you follow the best gardening practice of rotating your crops regularly.
So why add eggshells now? To be honest, I always add a free source of calcium when I’m changing the soil in the spring, since tomatoes are the first big summer crop I move.
Then, I add about a half-cup of fertilizer specially formulated for tomatoes or vegetables (like this one) and about a quarter-cup of bone meal, which is a good organic source of phosphorus and calcium.
No measuring cups necessary, I just eyeball everything in my trowel.
I cover these amendments with a couple inches of soil, then water them in.
Prepare your tomatoes for transplant (and give them a boost with the aspirin trick)
(Your sowing and transplanting timeline may vary with your particular climate, microclimate, and expected frost dates.)
I always begin with healthy plants that are about a foot tall, no matter if they are in a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot.
This tomato seedling spent a week outside getting hardened off, and looks primed for the garden.
To get my tomato plants ready for the move, I spray them with aspirin a few days before I move them.
Aspirin, the kind you can buy at the store, has salicylic acid in it, which is a chemical that most plants naturally have.
Studies have found that in a tomato plant, salicylic acid (a plant hormone) is produced at high levels in response to a microbial attack on the plant.
Oftentimes, this response happens too late in the natural cycle. But since we know that salicylic acid makes plants defend themselves, we can give our tomato seedlings a little extra help before they go into the garden and have to deal with all sorts of microbes, both good and bad.
A regular-strength aspirin tablet (325 mg) should be broken up in a gallon-sized sprayer or watering can to make a foliar spray.
It’s easier to dissolve uncoated aspirin, and you don’t have to worry about brand names. I went to my local drugstore to find the cheapest aspirin and saw a generic version on sale.
Thoroughly spray all the leaves, making sure to get the undersides.
