When do I have to start feeding my tomato plants? Thank you.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
quote:Originally posted by cologne1:
When do I have to start feeding my tomato plants? Thank you.
As soon as you start seeing the little yellow flowers. Hope that helps.
before the fruit appears isnt it.
Thank you both. 
I tried to look it up, but I'm useless and couldn't find anything relevant.
I tried to look it up, but I'm useless and couldn't find anything relevant.
Start feeding once they have been planted out. Feed with a proper tomato plant feed every two weeks and in the meantime don't let the plants dry out as that will make the fruit split. Use a tomato feed that is high in potash until the end of August, then in September change over to a general purpose fertilizer which is higher in Nitrogen.
quote:Originally posted by *BB*:
Start feeding once they have been planted out. Feed with a proper tomato plant feed every two weeks and in the meantime don't let the plants dry out as that will make the fruit split. Use a tomato feed that is high in potash until the end of August, then in September change over to a general purpose fertilizer which is higher in Nitrogen.
Thanks BB, I didn't know any of that.
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever.... 
quote:Originally posted by stonks:
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever....
Isn't horse shit meant to be good too?
quote:Originally posted by stonks:
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever....
It's really best to stick to a brand of tomato fertilizer. Nettles are too high in nitrogen and will encourage lots of leaf growth but not enough flower and fruit growth.
quote:Originally posted by Smoke:
First, you do and you don't.
If the soil is rich enough and they are planted in a south facing position and don't show signs of being stunted or having yellowish leaves you don't HAVE to feed them.
If you do think they need a feed then only use half the recommended amount. You don't have to feed if they are in the ground but if they are in nine inch pots they seem to like a boost now(ish).
At the moment I've got three species that are all doing very well without any feed.
VIVE DANNY LE ROUGE.
Not good advice. You may end up with a few small tomatoes but you won't get a good, healthy crop.
It depends a bit on whether you're growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
Potash is good for fruits and flowers and nitrogen for the stalks and leaves.quote:Originally posted by cologne1:quote:Originally posted by *BB*:
Start feeding once they have been planted out. Feed with a proper tomato plant feed every two weeks and in the meantime don't let the plants dry out as that will make the fruit split. Use a tomato feed that is high in potash until the end of August, then in September change over to a general purpose fertilizer which is higher in Nitrogen.
Thanks BB, I didn't know any of that.
quote:Originally posted by Barolo:quote:Originally posted by stonks:
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever....
Isn't horse shit meant to be good too?
Yes but never on carrots..they make them grow into rude shapes....
I dunno what the books say...but I am already feeding mine....dunno what the brand of feed is but it is special stuff for tomato plants! 
They are in flower now...the kids keep inspecting them for the teeny tiny tomatos!
Oh mine are outside in large patio pots.
They are in flower now...the kids keep inspecting them for the teeny tiny tomatos!
Oh mine are outside in large patio pots.
quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
I've got them in hanging baskets because of the amount of slugs in my garden and I've used the compost from the tomato grow bag I bought.
quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by stonks:
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever....
It's really best to stick to a brand of tomato fertilizer. Nettles are too high in nitrogen and will encourage lots of leaf growth but not enough flower and fruit growth.
I'm trying to keep my garden as ecco as possible cos in the future I want to become a hedgehog fosterer....
quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
It doesn't male any real difference where they are planted or which medium you choose as any added fertilizer to the compost or the ground when you prepared it will only last for about 4 - 6 weeks before being depleted. Tomato plants are very heavy feeders because of their very fast growth spurt so they neef regular feeding. They need the fertilizer BEFORE the trusses have formed as well as afterwards as ther high potash feeds help the trusses to form. You get more trusses and healthier ones if you feed throughout the growing period.
I've never considered them that way before. Mightn't the weight of maturing fruit pull them out of the baskets? Or how are you going to stake them adequately?quote:Originally posted by cologne1:quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
I've got them in hanging baskets because of the amount of slugs in my garden and I've used the compost from the tomato grow bag I bought.
quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
It doesn't male any real difference where they are planted or which medium you choose as any added fertilizer to the compost or the ground when you prepared it will only last for about 4 - 6 weeks before being depleted. Tomato plants are very heavy feeders because of their very fast growth spurt so they neef regular feeding. They need the fertilizer BEFORE the trusses have formed as well as afterwards as ther high potash feeds help the trusses to form. You get more trusses and healthier ones if you feed throughout the growing period.
Right this is going to sound really stupid, but what are trusses? I've chosen a tomato which sounds like I don't have to do much to (tumbling something or other).
quote:Originally posted by stonks:quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by stonks:
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever....
It's really best to stick to a brand of tomato fertilizer. Nettles are too high in nitrogen and will encourage lots of leaf growth but not enough flower and fruit growth.
I'm trying to keep my garden as ecco as possible cos in the future I want to become a hedgehog fosterer....
There's plenty of organic tomato fertilizers on general sale. My garden is completely organic and has been since I bought my house over 25 years ago.
quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:I've never considered them that way before. Mightn't the weight of maturing fruit pull them out of the baskets? Or how are you going to stake them adequately?quote:Originally posted by cologne1:quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
I've got them in hanging baskets because of the amount of slugs in my garden and I've used the compost from the tomato grow bag I bought.
I chose a variety suitable for baskets. Oh I don't know anything anymore.
quote:Originally posted by cologne1:quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
It doesn't male any real difference where they are planted or which medium you choose as any added fertilizer to the compost or the ground when you prepared it will only last for about 4 - 6 weeks before being depleted. Tomato plants are very heavy feeders because of their very fast growth spurt so they neef regular feeding. They need the fertilizer BEFORE the trusses have formed as well as afterwards as ther high potash feeds help the trusses to form. You get more trusses and healthier ones if you feed throughout the growing period.
Right this is going to sound really stupid, but what are trusses? I've chosen a tomato which sounds like I don't have to do much to (tumbling something or other).
Trusses are the group of flowers on little stalks which then end up as your tomatoes. Imagine a bunch of grapes and that is similar to a tomato truss.
quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by cologne1:quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
It doesn't male any real difference where they are planted or which medium you choose as any added fertilizer to the compost or the ground when you prepared it will only last for about 4 - 6 weeks before being depleted. Tomato plants are very heavy feeders because of their very fast growth spurt so they neef regular feeding. They need the fertilizer BEFORE the trusses have formed as well as afterwards as ther high potash feeds help the trusses to form. You get more trusses and healthier ones if you feed throughout the growing period.
Right this is going to sound really stupid, but what are trusses? I've chosen a tomato which sounds like I don't have to do much to (tumbling something or other).
Trusses are the group of flowers on little stalks which then end up as your tomatoes. Imagine a bunch of grapes and that is similar to a tomato truss.
Right, I've just been out to have a look and I've got quite a few of those. Thanks, I'm learning more in a few minutes than hrs trawling the net.
Cologne, google tomao growing. There are lots of websites and gardening forums out there that will tell you all you need to know about successful tomato growing. In my early days of gardening I spent a fortune on gardening mags and journals. I learnt a lot but I wish we had the internet back then.
In my early days of gardening I spent a fortune on gardening mags and journals. I learnt a lot but I wish we had the internet back then.
Just found this cologne....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/humber/co...tomato_baskets.shtml
...as your plants are especially for baskets it seems all you have to do now is feed and water.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/humber/co...tomato_baskets.shtml
...as your plants are especially for baskets it seems all you have to do now is feed and water.
In that case, unless you're very unlucky it should be OK.quote:Originally posted by cologne1:quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:I've never considered them that way before. Mightn't the weight of maturing fruit pull them out of the baskets? Or how are you going to stake them adequately?quote:Originally posted by cologne1:quote:Originally posted by Extremely Fluffy Fluffy Thing:
It depends a bit on whether your growing them indoors or outdoors, in pots, growbags or directly in the ground.
After 4 to 8 trusses have formed and the flowers have matured and small fruits are in evidence on the lower trusses, but be careful if using growbags because there is often no drainage and you don't want your plants to get waterlogged.
I've got them in hanging baskets because of the amount of slugs in my garden and I've used the compost from the tomato grow bag I bought.
I chose a variety suitable for baskets. Oh I don't know anything anymore.
quote:Originally posted by *BB*:
Cologne, google tomao growing. There are lots of websites and gardening forums out there that will tell you all you need to know about successful tomato growing.
I found a few, but I'm so green, I need it all spelling out.
Pesky, thanks, I hadn't come across that one for some reason. According to it, I haven't done too much wrong, but going by *BB*'s advice, I'll have to get feed pronto.
Thanks again everybody.
quote:Originally posted by cologne1:
I found a few, but I'm so green, I need it all spelling out.
Pesky, thanks, I hadn't come across that one for some reason. According to it, I haven't done too much wrong, but going by *BB*'s advice, I'll have to get feed pronto.
Thanks again everybody.
So gerroff the 'puter and feed them plants!
quote:Originally posted by stonks:quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by stonks:
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever....
It's really best to stick to a brand of tomato fertilizer. Nettles are too high in nitrogen and will encourage lots of leaf growth but not enough flower and fruit growth.
I'm trying to keep my garden as ecco as possible cos in the future I want to become a hedgehog fosterer....
Hedgehogs rule. And my Grandad always used to say that about the nettles and despite next door using the 'right food' his always produced more fruit. I think he just scared them into it though.quote:Originally posted by PuppyDooDoo:quote:Originally posted by stonks:quote:Originally posted by *BB*:quote:Originally posted by stonks:
I feed mine as soon as I see growth..a good feed is..collect a load of nettles into a barrel of water and let them rot for a couple of weeks, then use;one part nettle feed to 5 parts water best feed ever....
It's really best to stick to a brand of tomato fertilizer. Nettles are too high in nitrogen and will encourage lots of leaf growth but not enough flower and fruit growth.
I'm trying to keep my garden as ecco as possible cos in the future I want to become a hedgehog fosterer....
yep.. I do the nettlethang and it gets great results without me having to intimidate the plants
I also do huge quotes.. sorry! 