Tomato-Tone fertilizer

[Gardenboy]

I've been using Espoma's Tomato-Tone fertilizer for over 40 yrs. The original formula was much better, but was wondering if there might be something better on the market. I grow in 15 gallon containers so I fertilize more often. Let me know what your go to fertilizer is.

[kurt]

https://downtoearthfertilizer.com/pr...einite-0-0-22/

We put in the hole to let roots grow into.

[VirginiaClay]

Originally Posted by Gardenboy

I've been using Espoma's Tomato-Tone fertilizer for over 40 yrs. The original formula was much better, but was wondering if there might be something better on the market. I grow in 15 gallon containers so I fertilize more often. Let me know what your go to fertilizer is.

I've only used it a few years now. When did they change the formula, and what's different about it now vs. before?

[Gardenboy]

They changed the NPK to 3-4-6. In the 80s and 90s it was 4-7-10.

[edweather]

Kind of surprised you are using organic fertilizer in containers. I save organics for the ground. For containers Texas Tomato Food is great. Even miracle grow liquid. Any water soluble 3-1-2 ratio will be fine.

[RayR]

Originally Posted by edweather

Kind of surprised you are using organic fertilizer in containers. I save organics for the ground. For containers Texas Tomato Food is great. Even miracle grow liquid. Any water soluble 3-1-2 ratio will be fine.

Organic fertilizers work great in containers. Why wouldn't they.?
I amend containers with a dry organic fertilizer before transplanting. For regular liquid feeding I've been using Agrothrive for a couple of years now.

[biscuitridge]

Originally Posted by RayR

Organic fertilizers work great in containers. Why wouldn't they.?
I amend containers with a dry organic fertilizer before transplanting. For regular liquid feeding I've been using Agrothrive for a couple of years now.

That's all my son uses in his grow room!

[kurt]

The book keeping and plant identification would drive me bonkers,looks like you be eatin good.Great setup!

[tryno12]

What does your son use?

[edweather]

Originally Posted by RayR

Organic fertilizers work great in containers. Why wouldn't they.?
I amend containers with a dry organic fertilizer before transplanting. For regular liquid feeding I've been using Agrothrive for a couple of years now.

I guess if you have enough microbes in your container mix to break down the organics, you're good to go. My container mix is pine bark, peat, and perlite. If I put granular organic fertilizer in there it will sit forever. I like more control over my feeding, and fertigate several times per week. Slow release fertilizer like osmocote is made for containers and releases based on temperature. If Tomato Tone is working great in your containers that's a good thing.

[edweather]

A liquid organic is quite a bit different than Tomato Tone. Argo thrive works great. I also use Texas Tomato Food, which is basically an organic liquid. Granular and liquid are apples and oranges.

[MissTee]

Are you saying granular organic fertilizer is ineffective in containers but that liquid organics are ok?

[edweather]

Originally Posted by MissTee

Are you saying granular organic fertilizer is ineffective in containers but that liquid organics are ok?

No absolutely not. It depends on how quickly the granular fertilizer can break down and actually feed the plant. I prefer to use liquids, either organic or non organic to feed instantly. Whatever works for an individual is good. There are many different soil mixes used in containers. If someone is getting good results with granular fertilizers in containers, all the better.

[kurt]

I do a lot of selected hand watering.All watering gets a fert added,here are my go to liquids.We are lucky to have a well,no chlorines fluorides etc.