Tomato Fertilizer – Organic Food to Alleviate the Growth of Tomato Plants
A variety of organic substances can be used as fertilizers for tomatoes. Usually, mixing the soil with peat and compost, and planting the tomato plants in this soil bed produces organic tomatoes. Well rotted manures can also be used in place of organic or inorganic fertilizers.
Tomato Fertilizer – EcoFriendly Food for Healthy Growth
Tomatoes grow in normal conditions in compost soil, without the use of fertilizers. However, chemical or organic fertilizers are used to promote the growth of tomatoes. Tomato fertilizers can be home made, and depending on the variety you have chosen to plant, you can select the appropriate fertilizer.Hair is the most common substance used in preparing organic fertilizers used for growing tomatoes. As hair has keratin, nitrogen and sulfur, its structure is broken down when mixed with soil. Coffee grounds form another organic tomato fertilizer. Dried coffee beans can be ground, or the brewed coffee beans can be dried and used. These coffee beans can be mixed with egg shells, and spread across the soil where the tomato plants are going to be planted. Egg shells have a lot of calcium and a little amount of nitrogen. The egg shells have to be dried keeping in a warm place, and heated in an oven before crumbling the shells to mix with the soil as tomato fertilizer. The egg shells can be used alone or with the coffee beans.Watering the plants would ensure nutrition retention. A liquid solution with appropriate quantity of Epsom salt makes a great inorganic tomato fertilizer. For one gallon water, the quantity of Epsom salt used is 1 tablespoon.
Planting Tomato Seeds – Soil Bed Preparation
While planting tomato seeds, the soil must be dampened enough, and place the seeds in half inch deep soil in the ground or in containers. The prevalent climatic conditions must be tested before planting the tomato seeds. Ideally, it is done three months before frost, in areas where heavy frost conditions are found to be prevalent. Once the seedlings sprout out, they are replanted by taking trenches six to eight inches deep, with a thin spread of organic fertilizer at the bottom. Upon covering the layer with three inches soil, the seedlings are planted on top, and with 10-12 inches apart. This can be done in containers wide enough to facilitate the growth of tomatoes. Use trellis or stakes to spread out the tomato vines for richer harvests. The ideal temperature for planting tomato seeds is 65 F. Peat or compost soil can also be used to plant tomato seedlings.
Greenhouse Tomatoes – Growing Tomatoes Indoors
Though tomatoes need plenty of sunshine to grow, they can be grown inside greenhouses or patios. Inside the greenhouse walls, tomatoes grow getting the warmth of the sun. However, greenhouse tomatoes are said to have restricted growth due to insufficient air flow. In such cases, a small fan can be positioned at the tomato plants to provide sufficient air flow. In addition, the green house vents can be opened regularly to let the air in. For need of sunlight to grow tomatoes, grow lights can be used. This would come handy in situations where there is no sufficient sunlight and that the weather is persistently cloudy. The tomato plants must be watered regularly. However, splashing water around will lead to water getting accumulated, thus promoting the growth of fungi. A hose is ideal to water the plants kept inside the greenhouse.