Fertilize and Spray?

Chipsazoy · June 22, 2012

Hi All,

I'm nearing my 4 week mark on my smart pot container garden and torn on a few things.

I have Tomatoes, Jalepeno Peppers, Zuccchini, Cucumber & Crookneck Squash.

The squash plants and cucumbers are flowering. Tomatoes are just starting to develope flower pods. And one of my pepper plants has a pepper growing.

The first few weeks i was watering frequently every day. I have now cut back to watering deeply every other day. This is my first time gardening with these plants and i thought they would be going off better than this. Maybe i'm just naive or impatient.

When to fertilize? I'm thinking of fertilizing with a compost tea next watering to see if it gives them a boost. Also, how often to fertilize?

Also noticing more pests around. Hornworms i've been picking off regularly but notice flies and small white bugs flying around my squash. Considering spraying for pests but would like suggestions on what to use that is safe for vegetable plants to be consumed.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

**mdvpc** · June 22, 2012

What fertilizer have you used already? You can use Neem or pyrethrin for the bugs. Or you can use beneficials, like green lacewings for the whiteflys.

Chipsazoy · June 22, 2012

I haven't used anyting other than the potting soil which had a slow release formula at the time of transplanting.

docgipe · June 22, 2012

Neem Oil has been my mainstay for over sixty years of gardening. Good only if you read and follow the directions. It is an organic insecticide, miticide, and fungicide. Coupled with this is my practice of permanent mulch.

I remain 99% a grower using organic principles. The other one percent I do what I have to do. I seldom do more than small spot treatments with unmentionable products.

Chipsazoy · June 22, 2012

Thanks Docgipe,
Looking at Safer Brand Tomato and Vegetable Insect Killer. OMRI Listed® and compliant for use in organic gardening. Contains pyrethrins (.012%) and potassium salts of fatty acids (1.015%). Should do the trick

**mdvpc** · June 22, 2012

Chips

There are several threads about how little fert is in the potting mix. What brand did you use, and what is the fert amount? I think its the consensus here that the ferts in most of the potting mixes are so low that they should be ignored, and regular fertilization done.

Chipsazoy · June 23, 2012

I used Miracle Grow Potting soil with slow release and a farmers mix to add organic matter. I'm going to water with a 4-6-3 compost tea in a few days, so hopefully that will introduce some nutrients.

June 22, 2012	#1
Chipsazoy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: California Posts: 14	Fertilize and Spray? Hi All, I'm nearing my 4 week mark on my smart pot container garden and torn on a few things. I have Tomatoes, Jalepeno Peppers, Zuccchini, Cucumber & Crookneck Squash. The squash plants and cucumbers are flowering. Tomatoes are just starting to develope flower pods. And one of my pepper plants has a pepper growing. The first few weeks i was watering frequently every day. I have now cut back to watering deeply every other day. This is my first time gardening with these plants and i thought they would be going off better than this. Maybe i'm just naive or impatient. When to fertilize? I'm thinking of fertilizing with a compost tea next watering to see if it gives them a boost. Also, how often to fertilize? Also noticing more pests around. Hornworms i've been picking off regularly but notice flies and small white bugs flying around my squash. Considering spraying for pests but would like suggestions on what to use that is safe for vegetable plants to be consumed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

June 22, 2012	#2
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	What fertilizer have you used already? You can use Neem or pyrethrin for the bugs. Or you can use beneficials, like green lacewings for the whiteflys. __________________ Michael

June 22, 2012	#4
docgipe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Northcentral Pennsylvania Posts: 13	Neem Oil has been my mainstay for over sixty years of gardening. Good only if you read and follow the directions. It is an organic insecticide, miticide, and fungicide. Coupled with this is my practice of permanent mulch. I remain 99% a grower using organic principles. The other one percent I do what I have to do. I seldom do more than small spot treatments with unmentionable products. Last edited by docgipe; June 22, 2012 at 04:22 PM. Reason: ...is to correct an error.

June 22, 2012	#6
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	Chips There are several threads about how little fert is in the potting mix. What brand did you use, and what is the fert amount? I think its the consensus here that the ferts in most of the potting mixes are so low that they should be ignored, and regular fertilization done. __________________ Michael

June 23, 2012	#7
Chipsazoy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: California Posts: 14	I used Miracle Grow Potting soil with slow release and a farmers mix to add organic matter. I'm going to water with a 4-6-3 compost tea in a few days, so hopefully that will introduce some nutrients.