Fertilizers for EarthTainers

elight · July 25, 2015

I'm gearing up for my fall planting hear in Florida in about a month. My spring tomatoes didn't fare so well - a combination of re-using a potting mix likely full of diseases, and a poor attempt at fertigation.

I've read through all of Ray's and others' posts about various ET fertilizer techniques. I can't find a recommendation from Ray on a tomato fertilizer to use in the fertilizer strip since Tomato-Tone switched over to "organic" a few years ago. Everything I read tells me that, for best results with tomatoes in a container, I need a synthetic fertilizer at a 3-1-2 ratio. I know that I can get water-soluble Foliage Pro (FP) and Miracle-Gro (MG) at that ratio, but have failed to find any granular fertilizers either locally or online, and I've looked everywhere.

I have on hand a little leftover "new" TT, and also some leftover Jobe's organic 4-4-4. I worry about using either of these organic products in the fertilizer strip. I could probably also find a synthetic 10-10-10 or similar locally.

Another thought is to forgo the fertilizer strip altogether and use FP 9-3-6 or MG 24-8-16 every week down the feed tube. I've read about some people who have done this and it seems to work, although it requires extra effort. I am planning on supplementing with TTF anyhow once fruiting begins.

Any help, input, or experience is greatly appreciated. I can't afford to spend a fortune this season, but very much want to do things the "right" way.

greyghost · July 25, 2015

You could check out Fox Farm's Happy Frog Tomato and Vegetable; it's
7-4-5. It's a dry fertilizer that could be used in a strip. I don't have
any personal experience with it though.

Barb_FL · July 25, 2015

A couple of things

1. Why not use tomato tone? It is 3 cups instead of 2 for synthetic.
Marsha - (Ginger) has 40+ EB and is VERY successful growing tomatoes with TT.

2. I've used the FF HF Tomato and it is really expensive; It is also organic from when I remember.
(I didn't think it did any better than the Espoma products)

3. You live in Orlando and you're ready to transplant in a month?
I didn't even start my seeds and didn't plan on it for a few more weeks.

KC.Sun · July 25, 2015

You can go to the EB site and they will have recommendations on what types of fertilizer to use. So far, I have been using liquid fertilizer for my EB and it seems to work well. I'm using fish emulsion and kelp fertilizers. I use a combination of liquid fertilizers. Some I feed down the tube and some I fertilize from the top, depending on fertilizer.

I chose this option because I grow organic and could not find an option for organic granular fertilizer when I setup my boxes.

I do fertilize more often about every 4-5 days using a weakened solution.

I've heard you can't feed fish emulsion and kelp fertilizer directly down the tube because it will cause sludge buildup.

Earthbox also has a forum you can get some ideas on. But I have heard that they filter their forum so that anything that may not be beneficial to them in terms of sales, are not posted.

Overall, you can forego the fertilizer strip but you will have to watch and fertilize using a liquid solution. One thing to be aware of for your container is to make sure your potting soil is wet or the liquid in your containers reservoir will not wick up.

You might want to be careful if you are using a synthetic fertilizer when fertilizing more often as it might burn the plant.

elight · July 25, 2015

Thanks for the input so far, everyone.

Barb, the reason I was looking for a Tomato-tone alternative is because Raybo said he didn't like the new one. I never used the old one, so I can't really compare. And I've grown in so many different apartments and climates in the past four years (finally settled in a permanent residence) that it's hard to attribute any season's success or failure to a fertilizer. But since I've yet to hear a consensus on a replacement, maybe it means that it's still the best choice (and certainly cheaper than some of the other choices). Last year I planted out around Sept. 15 - I wanted to do so earlier but moved on Sept. 12. I'm aiming for around Labor Day this year, so you're right - maybe 5-6 more weeks, not a month.

KC, that's a good idea to check out the Earthbox forum. I'll see what people are saying over there. I might try to do a strip on two of the boxes, and do all-liquid on the third (using either MG or FP) to see if I can tell a difference. Of course, they'll have different varieties planted, so it's never that easy.

ginger2778 · July 27, 2015

Like Barb mentioned above, I have 43 Earthboxes, and this past season was my first using it. I tried TTF the season before. I need a good strong fert in my EBs because my season is 9-10 months long. I am totally in love with 3 cup strip of TomatoTone. I also supplement with a teaspoon of Calcinit down the tube once per week when the blossoms start to form. I had amazing results last year. That will be my way(TT) from now on, unless Espoma quits making it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elight

Thanks for the input so far, everyone.

Barb, the reason I was looking for a Tomato-tone alternative is because Raybo said he didn't like the new one. I never used the old one, so I can't really compare. And I've grown in so many different apartments and climates in the past four years (finally settled in a permanent residence) that it's hard to attribute any season's success or failure to a fertilizer. But since I've yet to hear a consensus on a replacement, maybe it means that it's still the best choice (and certainly cheaper than some of the other choices). Last year I planted out around Sept. 15 - I wanted to do so earlier but moved on Sept. 12. I'm aiming for around Labor Day this year, so you're right - maybe 5-6 more weeks, not a month.

KC, that's a good idea to check out the Earthbox forum. I'll see what people are saying over there. I might try to do a strip on two of the boxes, and do all-liquid on the third (using either MG or FP) to see if I can tell a difference. Of course, they'll have different varieties planted, so it's never that easy.

rnewste · July 27, 2015

elight,

In your first post, you mentioned the 3:2:1 ratio. That is only for the potting mix, microbark, perlite mixture - not fertilizer. I'd follow what the EarthBox folks are having success with. Since the EarthTainer holds about twice the potting mix combo amount, I would increase the fertilizer a bit more - not double but up maybe 25 to 30%.

Raybo

schill93 · August 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC.Sun

You can go to the EB site and they will have recommendations on what types of fertilizer to use. So far, I have been using liquid fertilizer for my EB and it seems to work well. I'm using fish emulsion and kelp fertilizers. I use a combination of liquid fertilizers. Some I feed down the tube and some I fertilize from the top, depending on fertilizer.

I chose this option because I grow organic and could not find an option for organic granular fertilizer when I setup my boxes.

I do fertilize more often about every 4-5 days using a weakened solution.

I've heard you can't feed fish emulsion and kelp fertilizer directly down the tube because it will cause sludge buildup.

Earthbox also has a forum you can get some ideas on. But I have heard that they filter their forum so that anything that may not be beneficial to them in terms of sales, are not posted.

Overall, you can forego the fertilizer strip but you will have to watch and fertilize using a liquid solution. One thing to be aware of for your container is to make sure your potting soil is wet or the liquid in your containers reservoir will not wick up.

You might want to be careful if you are using a synthetic fertilizer when fertilizing more often as it might burn the plant.

I will second that statement. Any mention of a negative aspect or another competing product and you may be met with some hostility. It's a shame.

rjake100 · July 27, 2015

I have no idea if this is going to work, but here is what I put mixed into the top third of my 31 gallon tote. This is an experiment.

2 cups of rock dust
1/3 cup of kelp meal
1/3 cup of cotton seed meal
1/3 cup of fish meal
2/3 cup of bone meal

I am going to see how the little guy likes it and respond with 20oz doses of TTF solution down the tube.

elight · August 10, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by schill93

I will second that statement. Any mention of a negative aspect or another competing product and you may be met with some hostility. It's a shame.

That would explain why there's not as much conversation about the topic there as I would have expected.

I found Vigoro (Home Depot's house brand) 12-5-7 so I'm going to try that in one 'tainer. I think I have enough TT for the second container, and I have some Jobe's 4-4-4 for the third. All are getting brand new media, Bio-Tone and Azomite (probably worthless but I have it so might as well use it). Should be interesting.

Ed of Somis · August 12, 2015

In Particular...I am paying attention to Marsha's posts, and those who live in Ca or Fla. I am a EB newbie, and this year my EB was doing great for the first 2-3 months. Then it pooped out. (not diseased). So, I have been putting some MG down the tube for 3 weeks, and it is perking up. Of course I am not sure...but I think those of us who have long growing seasons have an extra challenge to keep those maters (heavy feeders) going.

schill93 · August 12, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed of Somis

In Particular...I am paying attention to Marsha's posts, and those who live in Ca or Fla. I am a EB newbie, and this year my EB was doing great for the first 2-3 months. Then it pooped out. (not diseased). So, I have been putting some MG down the tube for 3 weeks, and it is perking up. Of course I am not sure...but I think those of us who have long growing seasons have an extra challenge to keep those maters (heavy feeders) going.

Ed I am new to Earthboxes as well, but it is my understanding from all that I have read that the two or three cups of fertilizer that you add towards the top when you plant out your box is not meant to last a long season. In fact 3 or 4 months seems to be what most say is maximum before they become depleted. However, most people start to supplement their boxes weekly anyway with a dose of Calcium Nitrate ) one teaspoon per gallon a week down the tube along with some magnesium (Epson Salt) as soon as the first fruits set (especially tomatoes) as they require a lot more energy at that time. Miracle Grow is fine, but it lacks the calcium they need so my thinking that both is needed at this time, but check with the others who have Earthboxes how they handle their fertilizer.

In Florida, where you have an extended season, you definitely are going to have to either add additional granules or stakes without disturbing the roots and supplement with calcium nitrate, or start adding weekly liquid fertilizer like miracle grow at a half dose along with some calcium and magnesium. On the Earthbox forum, they refer to the calcium nitrate as "the snack"
Looking at Ginger's post on feeding, she says she starts with three cups of Tomato Tone due to long season and then supplements with calcium nitrate weekly as soon as blossoms form. You can PM her for details. She lives in Plantation which is southern Florida.

Imthechuck · August 13, 2015

Last year I ended up just digging some of the old used fertilizer out and put a cup of new! Eggplants lasted 9 months

AKmark · August 13, 2015

Schill, if you want to be accurate with fertilizer, go buy a meter that reads PPM, EC, and of course PH. Many good fertilizers have reference numbers on the bag concerning mixes and strength, and these are the methods they use in regards to measuring fertilizers. You will guess no more.

Ricky Shaw · September 1, 2015

AKmark,

Totally new to the container stuff, but was pleased to see that you use a fertilizer that I'm familiar with, Hydro-Gardens 4-18-38.

I get the 5lb size for $22 and it makes 1000 gal. Proper corresponding amounts of calcium nitrate($15) and mag sulfate run($11) bring this solution to about 5 cents per gallon total cost.

And I'm assuming fertilizer treatment values are somewhat linear, that you'd use half as much of a 60% active like this, than a 5-15-10 or 10-10-10 product.

I've had excellent results using this product from bloom through August, applied every 10-14 days at about 1 gal per 10sq ft in a raised bed and in-ground garden for toms, zuke, cuke, squash, and pumpkins.

I have no idea how I'm going to use it for EB's and grow bags, but hope to find out.

July 25, 2015	#1
elight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 349	Fertilizers for EarthTainers I'm gearing up for my fall planting hear in Florida in about a month. My spring tomatoes didn't fare so well - a combination of re-using a potting mix likely full of diseases, and a poor attempt at fertigation. I've read through all of Ray's and others' posts about various ET fertilizer techniques. I can't find a recommendation from Ray on a tomato fertilizer to use in the fertilizer strip since Tomato-Tone switched over to "organic" a few years ago. Everything I read tells me that, for best results with tomatoes in a container, I need a synthetic fertilizer at a 3-1-2 ratio. I know that I can get water-soluble Foliage Pro (FP) and Miracle-Gro (MG) at that ratio, but have failed to find any granular fertilizers either locally or online, and I've looked everywhere. I have on hand a little leftover "new" TT, and also some leftover Jobe's organic 4-4-4. I worry about using either of these organic products in the fertilizer strip. I could probably also find a synthetic 10-10-10 or similar locally. Another thought is to forgo the fertilizer strip altogether and use FP 9-3-6 or MG 24-8-16 every week down the feed tube. I've read about some people who have done this and it seems to work, although it requires extra effort. I am planning on supplementing with TTF anyhow once fruiting begins. Any help, input, or experience is greatly appreciated. I can't afford to spend a fortune this season, but very much want to do things the "right" way.

July 25, 2015	#2
greyghost Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: southeastern PA Posts: 760	You could check out Fox Farm's Happy Frog Tomato and Vegetable; it's 7-4-5. It's a dry fertilizer that could be used in a strip. I don't have any personal experience with it though.

July 25, 2015	#3
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	A couple of things 1. Why not use tomato tone? It is 3 cups instead of 2 for synthetic. Marsha - (Ginger) has 40+ EB and is VERY successful growing tomatoes with TT. 2. I've used the FF HF Tomato and it is really expensive; It is also organic from when I remember. (I didn't think it did any better than the Espoma products) 3. You live in Orlando and you're ready to transplant in a month? I didn't even start my seeds and didn't plan on it for a few more weeks.

July 25, 2015	#4
KC.Sun Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: 6a Posts: 322	You can go to the EB site and they will have recommendations on what types of fertilizer to use. So far, I have been using liquid fertilizer for my EB and it seems to work well. I'm using fish emulsion and kelp fertilizers. I use a combination of liquid fertilizers. Some I feed down the tube and some I fertilize from the top, depending on fertilizer. I chose this option because I grow organic and could not find an option for organic granular fertilizer when I setup my boxes. I do fertilize more often about every 4-5 days using a weakened solution. I've heard you can't feed fish emulsion and kelp fertilizer directly down the tube because it will cause sludge buildup. Earthbox also has a forum you can get some ideas on. But I have heard that they filter their forum so that anything that may not be beneficial to them in terms of sales, are not posted. Overall, you can forego the fertilizer strip but you will have to watch and fertilize using a liquid solution. One thing to be aware of for your container is to make sure your potting soil is wet or the liquid in your containers reservoir will not wick up. You might want to be careful if you are using a synthetic fertilizer when fertilizing more often as it might burn the plant.

July 27, 2015	#7
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	elight, In your first post, you mentioned the 3:2:1 ratio. That is only for the potting mix, microbark, perlite mixture - not fertilizer. I'd follow what the EarthBox folks are having success with. Since the EarthTainer holds about twice the potting mix combo amount, I would increase the fertilizer a bit more - not double but up maybe 25 to 30%. Raybo

July 27, 2015	#9
rjake100 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Low Country SC Posts: 37	I have no idea if this is going to work, but here is what I put mixed into the top third of my 31 gallon tote. This is an experiment. 2 cups of rock dust 1/3 cup of kelp meal 1/3 cup of cotton seed meal 1/3 cup of fish meal 2/3 cup of bone meal I am going to see how the little guy likes it and respond with 20oz doses of TTF solution down the tube.

August 12, 2015	#11
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	In Particular...I am paying attention to Marsha's posts, and those who live in Ca or Fla. I am a EB newbie, and this year my EB was doing great for the first 2-3 months. Then it pooped out. (not diseased). So, I have been putting some MG down the tube for 3 weeks, and it is perking up. Of course I am not sure...but I think those of us who have long growing seasons have an extra challenge to keep those maters (heavy feeders) going.

August 13, 2015	#13
Imthechuck Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SouthFlorida Zone 10 Posts: 120	Last year I ended up just digging some of the old used fertilizer out and put a cup of new! Eggplants lasted 9 months

August 13, 2015	#14
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	Schill, if you want to be accurate with fertilizer, go buy a meter that reads PPM, EC, and of course PH. Many good fertilizers have reference numbers on the bag concerning mixes and strength, and these are the methods they use in regards to measuring fertilizers. You will guess no more.

September 1, 2015	#15
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	AKmark, Totally new to the container stuff, but was pleased to see that you use a fertilizer that I'm familiar with, Hydro-Gardens 4-18-38. I get the 5lb size for $22 and it makes 1000 gal. Proper corresponding amounts of calcium nitrate($15) and mag sulfate run($11) bring this solution to about 5 cents per gallon total cost. And I'm assuming fertilizer treatment values are somewhat linear, that you'd use half as much of a 60% active like this, than a 5-15-10 or 10-10-10 product. I've had excellent results using this product from bloom through August, applied every 10-14 days at about 1 gal per 10sq ft in a raised bed and in-ground garden for toms, zuke, cuke, squash, and pumpkins. I have no idea how I'm going to use it for EB's and grow bags, but hope to find out.