Tomatoes

Tomatoes are heavy feeders that require a carefully balanced fertilization program to produce abundant, flavorful fruit. Unlike many garden vegetables, tomatoes have distinct nutritional needs at each growth stage — demanding more nitrogen early for foliage development, then shifting to phosphorus and potassium as they flower and set fruit. Proper fertilization directly impacts fruit size, flavor intensity, disease resistance, and overall yield. Under-fertilized tomato plants produce smaller, less flavorful fruit and become more susceptible to blossom end rot, early blight, and other common problems. Over-fertilization, particularly with nitrogen, leads to lush green plants that produce few tomatoes — a frustrating outcome for gardeners who assume more fertilizer means more fruit. The key is matching nutrient delivery to each growth phase. Soil pH is equally critical; tomatoes prefer slightly acidic conditions between 6.0 and 6.8, where nutrient uptake is optimized. A soil test before planting reveals exactly what amendments are needed, preventing both deficiency and excess. Whether growing determinate varieties in containers or sprawling indeterminate plants in raised beds, a disciplined fertilization schedule is the single biggest factor separating average harvests from exceptional ones.