Tomatoes are a staple summer crop in many vegetable gardens. Every grower wants the best and most tasty juicy tomatoes each season. Growing them can be simple, with many tomato varieties available to suit any garden size. However, one key aspect of achieving a fantastic harvest is proper fertilizing. Tomato plants require special attention, and a good tomato feed is often on most gardeners’ shopping lists during the summer.
You can easily make your own tomato fertilizer if you want to garden organically and save money. Many beneficial feeds can be made from kitchen leftovers and plants around your garden. This helps the environment and ensures your tomatoes stay deliciously fresh and homegrown. A good homemade fertilizer keeps tomato plants happy and provides a bountiful harvest.
In this article
Want to learn more? read my guide on
Best Compost for Your Vegetable Gardens
Because tomatoes are heavy feeders, they need close attention and quality feeding throughout the growing season. By making your tomato fertilizer, you ensure your plants get what they need for healthy plant and fruit growth. This care will help you achieve that much-desired bumper crop of tasty, juiciest tomatoes.
Essential Tomato Plant Nutrients
To grow a healthy crop, tomato plants need the right nutrient balance. Key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—often called NPK—are crucial for helping plants thrive and produce abundant, tasty fruit. These nutrients are usually found in balanced fertilizers or can be made at home for more organic options. The right nutrient blend maximizes fruit production and keeps plants healthy throughout the growing season.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is essential for promoting green, leafy growth in plants, especially in their early stages. Using a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer is often best, as it supports foliage growth without overwhelming the plant. Too much nitrogen, though, can cause excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit development. Adding the right amount during early planting will ensure your plants get off to a good start.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is vital in root growth, flower development, and fruit production. Natural fertilizers rich in phosphorus can prevent stunted growth and keep the plant’s roots strong. As flowers bloom, phosphorus continues to fuel healthy fruit development, making it a key part of any homemade tomato fertilizer.
Potassium
Potassium is another essential nutrient for general health and vitality. It helps with photosynthesis, improves fruit ripening, and keeps plants balanced. Many gardeners use potash or other potassium-rich sources to maintain their plants’ health. However, be careful not to add too much, as it can increase the fruit’s acidity.
Calcium
Other important nutrients include calcium, which ensures strong cell structure and prevents issues like blossom end rot.
Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for chlorophyll production, enabling plants to photosynthesize efficiently.
Trace elements
Lastly, trace elements like iron, sulfur, copper, zinc, boron, and molybdenum are also important, as they can be supplemented to prevent deficiencies that affect growth and fruit quality.
Why Use A Homemade Tomato Fertilizer?
Using a homemade solution for tomato fertilizer gives you complete control over what goes into your garden and, eventually, onto your plate.
Sustainability
One of the biggest benefits is sustainability. By creating your fertilizer from household items like banana peels and eggshells, you reduce garden waste and lessen the environmental burden. This cyclical approach to gardening allows you to reuse organic waste, ensuring nothing goes to waste while improving the soil’s health.
Healthier plants
A homemade fertilizer supports healthier plants and produces by avoiding harmful chemicals in commercial fertilizers. While store-bought options may give quicker results, they can harm the beneficial microorganisms in the soil.
Harmonious balance
Natural tomato fertilizers maintain a harmonious balance that encourages plant growth and produces more nutritious tomatoes.
Economical option
It’s also a cost-effective and economical for those who love gardening but find store-bought products too expensive.
Customize your fertilizer
Another advantage is the ability to customize your fertilizer based on your soil test and the specific stage of growth your tomato plants are in. By tweaking your recipe, you can provide the exact nutrients your plants crave. For example, banana peels offer potassium, while eggshells add calcium, ensuring that your plants receive a well-rounded diet.
Organic assurance
Homemade fertilizers are not only more affordable but also provide organic assurance. While many commercial products claim to be organic, making your mix guarantees you use truly natural ingredients. This approach benefits both the soil and the plants and assures that the food you grow is free from synthetic additives.
Ultimately, making your own fertilizer is the best solution for a healthier, more sustainable garden. By using ingredients you already have at home or in your yard, you’ll save a significant amount of money and give extra care to your plants.
9 Easy Recipes For Homemade Tomato Fertilizer
Nettle Tea
Nettle tea is a fantastic fertilizer made from nettles, which many gardeners see as a bane but is very beneficial. Nettles are high in nitrogen, a vital nutrient for leafy crops like spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes. This high-nitrogen feed works best when used with other fertilizers rich in phosphorus to help with flower and fruit development.
As described by Thomas Rutter, a professional gardener, making nettle tea is simple. After wearing thick gardening gloves (to avoid the sting), gather fresh nettle growth, snip the stems and foliage into small pieces, and place them in a large bucket with water. Use rocks or stones to weigh them down, then let them sit for a few weeks. Once ready, dilute the tea with water and apply it to your tomato plants for a beneficial feed.
Banana Peels
Banana peels are another easy and natural fertilizer packed with essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium. These nutrients are great for tomatoes, as they promote healthy growth.
The best way to use banana peels is to chop them into small pieces and bury them in the soil around your tomato plants. This will allow the peels to break down slowly, providing a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season. For a quicker effect, some gardeners simply bury whole peels around their plants and cover them with soil.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are a perfect DIY fertilizer for tomato plants. They contain key nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium, which strongly boost the plants.
To use them, simply sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of your plants or mix them into the soil. However, you need to be careful not to apply too much, as it can make the soil too soggy and lead to fungal issues. Lightly sprinkling the grounds ensures your plants benefit without causing problems like pests or moisture buildup.
Vegetable Peelings
Vegetable peelings are a simple and effective way to create a natural fertilizer for your garden. Rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, these peelings can be added to your compost heap or buried directly in the planting hole when you plant your tomatoes. For quicker results, you can turn the peelings into a liquid fertilizer by placing them in a container with water and letting them steep for a day or two. Once ready, strain the mixture and pour it around your plants for an extra nutrient boost.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts containing magnesium and sulfur are another great natural plant fertilizer. They are particularly beneficial for tomatoes lacking in magnesium, helping them thrive and grow strong.
To use Epsom salts, dissolve a tablespoon in a gallon of water and apply it to the soil during planting or once a month. You can also use a foliar spray to help the plant absorb nutrients more quickly, but be careful not to overuse it, as it can cause issues if applied too heavily.
Cooking Water
Instead of throwing away your cooking water after boiling vegetables, pasta, or rice, you can use it as a natural fertilizer for your tomatoes. This water is infused with nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, iron, and calcium, which benefit plant growth. Ensure the water is unsalted to avoid harming the plants, as salt can be deadly.
Comfrey Feed
Comfrey feed is an excellent DIY fertilizer for tomato plants, especially in the spring when they need a boost. This perennial plant, with its bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white, is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other trace elements.
To make the fertilizer, harvest the leaves and chop them into a bucket of water. Weigh the mixture down and let it brew for about three weeks. Once ready, the stinky concentrated feed can be diluted and applied to the soil. Any leftover leaves can be added to the compost or used as mulch.
Onion Peels
Onion peels are another fantastic way to add potassium and calcium to your tomato fertilizer. Both red and white onions’ dry outer skins can be used. Simply grind the peels and sprinkle them in the soil, or you can soak them in water for about a week. After soaking, strain the mixture and use the liquid fertilizer around your plants to boost their nutrients.
Eggshells
Eggshells are rich in calcium and small amounts of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. These can be added to your compost heap or broken down into a fine powder to be sprinkled into the planting hole. Alternatively, you can soak the crushed eggshells in boiling water, let them sit, then strain the mixture. The water can be applied directly to the soil or used in foliar sprays to give your tomatoes the nutrients they need for strong growth.
The Best Time To Fertilize
Seedling Stage
Focusing on root and leaf development is essential at the seedling stage, about 2-3 weeks post-germination. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with more nitrogen to support healthy growth. Remember to dilute the fertilizer to avoid over-fertilization and follow a reliable watering guide to keep the plants hydrated.
Transplanting and Early Growth Stage
When transplanting, you should help the plant’s roots develop by adding phosphorus-rich fertilizers like compost or bone meal into the planting hole. During the early growth stage (about 4-5 weeks post-transplanting), feed your plants with a balanced N-P-K fertilizer (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). After applying solid fertilizers, water the plants well to ensure they absorb the nutrients properly.
Flowering and Fruiting Stage
As your tomato plants begin flowering, switching to a fertilizer with lower nitrogen but higher phosphorus and potassium is important. This supports flower and fruit formation. You can also add banana peels or wood ash to increase the potassium levels, improving fruit ripening and overall quality.
Late Season Maintenance
Your plants may show signs of nutrient deficiency by the late season, such as yellowing leaves or poor fruit development. A mild compost tea or liquid seaweed can provide the necessary nutrients without overwhelming the plants. Be careful with overwatering, as it can cause nutrients to leach out of the soil, leading to nitrogen shortages. Keep an eye on your plants for visual cues to adjust your fertilizing as needed.
Final Observations
Homemade tomato fertilizers are a cost-effective, sustainable, and organic way to ensure a thriving garden. By using simple, natural ingredients like banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds, you can provide the essential nutrients your tomato plants need for healthier growth and a bountiful harvest. Tailoring your fertilizer to meet specific plant needs not only saves money but also promotes a deeper connection to your gardening efforts. With these easy recipes and tips, you’re well on your way to growing tastier, juicier tomatoes while fostering a more eco-friendly garden.
FAQs
What is the best homemade fertilizer for tomato plants?
The best homemade fertilizer for tomato plants includes natural ingredients like banana peels (for potassium), eggshells (for calcium), and coffee grounds (for nitrogen). These help boost plant growth and improve fruit quality.
What is the best thing to feed tomato plants?
Tomato plants thrive on a balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium mix. Feeding them with a natural blend of compost, bone meal, and banana peels provides essential nutrients for strong growth and fruit production.
What fertilizer increases tomato size?
A fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium helps increase tomato size. Natural options like bone meal and wood ash provide these nutrients, promoting larger fruits.
What is the best homemade fertilizer?
The best homemade fertilizer depends on the plant’s needs, but a mix of compost, banana peels, and eggshells is excellent for most plants and offers a good balance of key nutrients like potassium, calcium, and nitrogen.
