Feed this to Your Tomato Seedlings and They’ll Grow like Crazy in 2024
Feeding tomato seedlings the right nutrients can significantly boost their growth and lead to a bountiful harvest. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to feed your tomato seedlings to make them grow like crazy:
1. Balanced Fertilizer
- Product: Use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula.
- Application: Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength and apply it once every two weeks.
2. Fish Emulsion
- Product: Fish emulsion is a rich, organic source of nitrogen, promoting strong leaf and stem growth.
- Application: Mix according to the package instructions and apply every two weeks. Be aware of the strong smell and apply it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
3. Compost Tea
- Product: Compost tea provides a balanced mix of nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.
- Application: Brew compost tea by steeping compost in water for 24-48 hours. Dilute the tea with water (1:10 ratio) and water your seedlings with it once a week.
4. Seaweed Extract
- Product: Seaweed extract is rich in trace minerals and growth hormones.
- Application: Dilute the seaweed extract according to the instructions and apply every two weeks to promote overall plant health and root development.
5. Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
- Product: Epsom salt provides magnesium, which is essential for photosynthesis.
- Application: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and use it to water your seedlings once a month.
6. Worm Castings
- Product: Worm castings are a nutrient-rich organic amendment that improves soil structure and provides slow-release nutrients.
- Application: Mix worm castings into the potting soil when planting seedlings or top-dress around the seedlings as they grow.
7. Bone Meal
- Product: Bone meal is a good source of phosphorus, which is crucial for root development and flowering.
- Application: Mix bone meal into the soil at planting time or sprinkle it around the seedlings and lightly work it into the soil.
8. Diluted Manure Tea
- Product: Manure tea provides a rich source of nutrients.
- Application: Steep well-aged manure in water for several days, dilute it, and water your seedlings with it once every two weeks.
9. Nitrogen Fixing Cover Crops
- Product: Use cover crops like clover or legumes to naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen.
- Application: Plant cover crops in the off-season and till them into the soil before planting your tomatoes.
10. Molasses
- Product: Molasses provides sugars that feed beneficial soil microbes.
- Application: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of unsulfured blackstrap molasses in a gallon of water and water your seedlings with it every few weeks.
Additional Tips:
- Consistent Watering: Ensure your seedlings receive consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging.
- Proper Light: Provide 12-16 hours of bright, indirect light daily for optimal growth.
- Good Drainage: Use well-draining soil and containers with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
- Air Circulation: Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases and promote healthy growth.
By providing your tomato seedlings with these nutrients, you'll support their vigorous growth and development, leading to healthier plants and a more abundant harvest.
