What is the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes?

Everyone wants a crop of red, juicy tomatoes in their garden at the end of the growing season. Tomatoes offer a lot of nutrients, but they also need plenty of nutrients to grow.

If your tomatoes don't get enough fertilizer--or the wrong mix of nutrients--your plants might be weak, stunted, and reluctant to ripen. Fortunately, the best tomato fertilizer guarantees a bountiful harvest that you can use for salads and sandwiches or eat fresh off the vine.

So, what is the best fertilizer for tomatoes? Your search ends here at Greenway Biotech, where we’ve created a tomato fertilizer with the perfect NPK ratio of 4-18-38. Our nutrients are also packed with important micronutrients, highly absorbent, and as versatile as it gets. 

Learn more about how to fertilize tomatoes in general below and what separates our fertilizer from the rest!

What Nutrients Do Tomatoes Need?

First, let’s discuss the tomato plant nutrient requirements. What nutrients do tomatoes need to thrive? The big three, of course: potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Other essential nutrients include zinc, copper, iron, and sulfur, but your plant won't grow without the "big three.”

Each nutrient provides a different function. For example, tomato plants need sulfur to build plant proteins and develop their delicious flavor. Potassium plays a role in the plants' complex inner systems, helping them grow and flourish. Nitrogen aids with photosynthesis, which is an essential part of the growing process.

Your tomato plants will use every nutrient at different stages of their development. However, most soil doesn't have all the nutrients that your tomato plants need, so you'll need to use tomato fertilizer to nourish your plants throughout the growing season. 

That being said, what separates the best tomato plant nutrients from the rest?

Key Components of the Best Tomato Fertilizer

The best fertilizer for tomatoes isn’t necessarily one with the most nutrients. Your plants need the right balance of nutrients to produce a healthy crop of tomatoes.

For example, if the soil has too much nitrogen, you'll have a crop of green, leafy plants without much fruit. On the other hand, focusing solely on phosphorus and potassium will create problems with branches breaking as they’re unable to support the heavy fruit.

A good fertilizer has the perfect nutrient ratio so your plants don't wither, contract diseases or produce a small crop. 

Good fertilizers are also 100% free of heavy metals. A fertilizer contaminated with heavy metals could sicken your plant, interrupt photosynthesis or make your plant wither instead of growing tall and leafy.

Likewise, fertilizers with harmful chemicals could make the soil acidic, reduce your crop output and contribute to environmental pollution. While you may not be able to find an organic fertilizer for tomatoes, you still need a safe, natural fertilizer that feeds your plants without contaminating the soi.

This isn’t just for the environment, though - it’s for those who ultimately end up eating the tomatoes, whether that’s yourself, your family, or your customers. 

Finally, you should look for a water soluble fertilizer. This means that you can mix the fertilizer with water and apply it directly to your plants. This is particularly important for those in search of hydroponic nutrients, but it’s beneficial for all forms of gardening.

Your plants will absorb the nutrients instantly, making it easier to control the nutritional input. It helps you save time by giving your plants fertilizer during their regular watering.

What is the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes?

So, what is the best fertilizer for tomatoes? With so many different types of fertilizers and nutrient manufacturers to choose from, it can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack blindfolded. 

However, you’ve come to the right place. Our Tomato Fertilizer features a balanced NPK ratio of 4-18-38, ideal for supporting vigorous growth, flowering, and fruit production. 

It also includes essential micronutrients like iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, and molybdenum, which promote comprehensive plant health and vitality.

It’s not just optimized for this type of plant, but also supports the growth and health of crops including Summer Squash, Eggplants, Potatoes, and more. 

It’s a pure, potent solution for hobby gardeners and commercial growers alike. It’s free from heavy metals to ensure your plants receive only the highest quality nutrients, essential for optimal growth and vitality. 

The fertilizer's 100% water-soluble nature allows for immediate nutrient absorption, simplifying the application process and ensuring that plants get exactly what they need, when they need it. This results in vibrant, nutrient-rich fruits that taste better and pack on pounds to your harvest. 

It’s suitable for a variety of growing methods, whether you're working with soil beds, hydroponic systems, or other cultivation methods. 

So, feed your crop with Greenway Biotech to ensure your fruits and vegetables are not only delicious but also enriched with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Tips on Fertilizing Your Tomatoes

Armed with the best tomato fertilizer, you’re ready to give your plants the care they need to reach their full potential. Now it’s just a matter of feeding them properly. So, let’s talk soil testing, timing, and application guidelines below to make this next harvest your best one yet.

Should You Do a Soil Test First?

Starting with a soil test reveals the levels of key nutrients and the pH of your soil. We highly recommend you invest in one of these soil tests if you haven’t already, otherwise, you’re going in blind.

Adjusting your fertilizer application based on soil test results ensures that you provide exactly what your tomatoes need for optimal growth. It prevents you from over or under-fertilizing, which can lead to poor plant health or reduced yields.

When to Fertilize Tomatoes

There is a fine line between overfeeding your tomatoes and contributing to nutrient toxicity and underfeeding your plants, starving them of essential components. Here’s our advice on when to fertilize your tomatoes:

• At Planting: Begin fertilization when you plant your tomatoes. This initial feeding provides the nutrients necessary for early growth and root development.
• Throughout the Growing Season: Continue applying fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. This consistent supply supports ongoing growth and fruit development.
• Before First Harvest: The final application should occur just before the first harvest to boost fruit maturation and quality.

Application Guidelines

The way in which you grow your plants and fertilize them may vary, but here are the general application guidelines for the most common approaches: 

Soil Application:

• For Individual Plants: Apply 3 grams (approximately 1/2 teaspoon) of fertilizer per plant at planting. Repeat this application every 4-6 weeks until just before the first harvest.
• For Acreage: Start with 24 to 38 pounds of fertilizer per acre at planting. Continue with this rate every 4-6 weeks, concluding just before the harvest begins.

Foliar Application:

• For Individual Plants: If you're starting tomatoes from seeds, begin foliar applications once the true leaves develop. Use 1 gram of fertilizer per plant, applying every 1-2 weeks until just before the first harvest.
• For Acreage: Similar to individual plants, start foliar applications when the first true leaves appear. Use 8 to 13 pounds of fertilizer per acre, repeating every 1-2 weeks, and finish just before harvesting begins.

Signs Your Tomatoes are Thriving

You'll know right away if your plant looks like a "classic" tomato plant.

At the end of the season, your plant should have soft, bushy leaves with strong stems and several bright red tomatoes.

If something goes wrong, your plant might produce green tomatoes instead. You can still eat green tomatoes, but most people want plump, juicy red tomatoes.

The Tastiest, Heaviest Tomatoes Are Within Reach - Get the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes Today!

There you have it - everything you need to know about growing delicious, heavy, and healthy tomato plants. By feeding the best fertilizer for tomatoes you are doing your part to support a bountiful harvest this season.

We are your one-stop shop for all things professionally formulated fertilizers. We don’t just have the best tomato fertilizer - you can trust us for the best pepper fertilizer, the best strawberry fertilizer, and everything in between. 

From broad spectrum to specialty fertilizer, professionals and hobbyists alike count on Greenway Biotech for advanced nutrient solutions to supercharge crop growth rates and quality. You can too.