Tomatoes might technically be a fruit, but they are among the most popular plants in vegetable gardens. If you’ve grown tomatoes before or are giving it a shot for the first time this year, you’ll want to know how to get the biggest and most tasty fruits for your labors.
You’ll need to give your soil a boost, even if it’s with the most natural fertilizers out there. I’m a fan of using non-toxic, non-chemical based blends in the garden whenever possible, considering these are plants you will be (hopefully) eating from, and not just walking on like grass. After years of experience, I’ve rounded up what I consider the five best fertilizers for delicious tomatoes.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks.
Reviews of the Top 5 Tomato Fertilizers
Check out my top picks and read on to learn more info in the buyer’s guide.
1) Tomato-tone Organic Fertilizer
In my opinion, one of the best fertilizers for tomatoes, if you can’t use a few different products, is Tomato-tone. This blend is a very affordable all-in-one formula made to be safe for gardens and around pets, and specially designed for tomato health.
This tomato fertilizer is what I recommend if you are only going to use one product on your plants and you don’t want to spend a lot of money. With 15 nutrients crafted in a mix for tomato plants, this is excellent for replanting small shoots, sprinkling around the root area (leaving a couple of inches between the fertilizer and the stalk of the plant) or dropping a few tablespoons in a small trench you can dig next to your plants.
Pros:
- Earth-friendly and non-toxic
- Aids in preventing blossom-end rot
- Provides beneficial microbes for your garden
- Helps to make plumper tomatoes
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Can harm your plants if used too heavily
- Must water to begin effectiveness
2) Neptune’s Harvest Tomato & Veg Formula
Neptune’s Harvest is one of the best fertilizers for plants and tomatoes in your garden, particularly if you deal with dry spells in the summer. I’m a big fan of seaweed-based fertilizers, as they draw natural nutrients and minerals from sea vegetation to enrich your soil.
This formula is for tomatoes and vegetable plants, and when used in the right dose, does wonders to give your plants a boost of vibrancy and create lush fruit. I like to dilute this in water (to avoid burning the plants with too much) and fertilize them with Neptune’s Harvest, especially in the earlier months of the season to give them a head start.
This tomato fertilizer is not the cheapest on the list, but you can make it last quite a long time if you dilute small amounts in a watering can. I like using this technique the most anyway, as you don’t risk burning your tomato plants
Pros:
- Eco-safe and natural
- Potent garden fertilizer
- Can be diluted further to last longer
- Full of trace minerals and nutrients from the ocean
- Helps tomato plants retain moisture and tolerate dry weather
Cons:
- Can “burn” plants if you use too much
- Slightly unpleasant smell
3) Espoma Rock Phosphate
Rock Phosphate is one of the best fertilizers for tomatoes when replanting or first planting a young sapling. I like to take a small amount of Espoma’s Rock Phosphate and put it directly into the dirt at the bottom of the hole I dig for a tomato plant, and then deposit the tiny bush right on top, cover it with a soil and compost or a soil and worm castings blend, and water it.
You don’t have to go too heavy with this phosphate, but it makes a significant difference in root growth for your tomato plants. When the roots are healthier and take in more nutrients, fruit your plants bear with be more vibrant, juicy, and delicious.
Pros:
- Enhances root health
- Improves water and nutrient intake of tomato plants
- Can be combined with other fertilizers
- Reasonably priced
- Mined in the USA
Cons:
- Some debate over the environmental impact
- Not an all-in-one fertilizer
4) Dynamite Natural and Organic Mater Magic Plant Food
Mater Magic is designed precisely for tomatoes and does result in some pretty luscious fruit if you use it correctly. Instead of a general fertilizer for virtually any plant, Dynamite formulates Mater Magic with exactly what tomatoes need. Many blends lack sulfur, and this nutrient is beneficial for producing juicy, flavorful tomatoes.
Mater Magic contains 1 percent sulfur and other nutrients for your tomato garden. I like to use it in conjunction with other soil enhancers, such as compost blends, rock phosphate, and worm castings. If you have a large tomato garden or are looking to grow prize-sized tomatoes, I think Mater Magic needs to be on your list of fertilizers.
Pros:
- Water-soluble granules
- Helps plants intake more nutrients
- Contains 1 percent sulfur
- Easy to use and handle (not a massive bag)
- Ideal for younger tomato plants
Cons:
- Must water to activate in soil
- Containers are small for farm-sized gardens
5) Wiggle Worm Unco Industries Builder Worm Castings
Wiggle Worm is what I consider one of the best fertilizers for grass, plants, tomatoes, other veggies—whatever you can spread this nutrient-rich, natural soil on or around. If you understand why Earthworms are a sign of quality dirt, this product should make perfect sense to you.
Wiggle Worm feeds their nightcrawlers nutrient-rich material which the worms then turn into incredibly healthy and nutritious soil for your plants. I like to use this odor-free formula around all of my plants, including tomatoes. You get the benefits of a natural fertilizer without the risks of using animal manure. I keep this in my arsenal of best fertilizers for tomatoes at all times. You can replant with this product mixed into the dirt, and occasionally sprinkle a bit more around the roots to give your garden a boost.
Pros:
- Pet and kid-safe
- Earth-friendly
- Odor-free
- Can be used on all types of plants
- Indoor and outdoor use
Cons:
- Best if used with another fertilizer to supplement
- Can attract gnats in rare situations
Fertilizing and Growing Tomato Plants
How to Prune Tomato Plants
Firstly, check your tomato plants for yellowing or brown leaves. If you are in an exceptionally sunny and hot climate, such as zone 9, you may want to keep some of these leaves on to shade the root area. Otherwise, clip these leaves off at the base when you see them.
At each small branch of a tomato plant, you may see little shoots that grow up at an angle. These shoots are called “suckers” and are aptly named because they suck a lot of nutrients away from the rest of the plant and fruit.
In any variety of tomato plant, you can pinch the suckers are their base with your thumb and index finger and bend until they snap off. Doing so will help direct more nutrients and water toward making juicy tomatoes.
Fertilizing Tomatoes
When you start with any new fertilizer or compost, go small at first. Even organic fertilizers can “burn” your plants or shock them if you apply too much. I find it’s better to start with a less-saturated mixture and see how your tomato plants react over a week or so.
Remember, granule or other dry nutrients need watering to release them into the soil and root system of your plants. If you put them down and it doesn’t rain for a week, your garden is not getting the minerals.
Dig a little trench along the side of your tomato plants about an inch or two deep, and deposit fertilizers next to the plant (not directly on top), then water them well. Some compost and worm castings can be mixed with soil and sprinkled directly at the base of the plant.
Test out one or more of these top tomato fertilizers and see what delicious fruits your garden bears. It can take a little trial and error, but when you find your favorite, the results are tasty!
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