Once the cold winter weather is past, it would be a missout not to include tomatoes in your top veggie list to grow in the summer! Just a small amount of money, you could produce pounds of deliciously juicy tomatoes for your family consumption.
Even though growing tomatoes is penny-worthy, the process can be rather tricky to get perfectly juicy and sweet tomatoes to require specific conditions as well as attention to detail. But an abundance of tomatoes you get will be worth every effort!
Watering tomatoes and giving them the proper amount of strong, direct sunlight is inevitable. But just doing the bare minimum work cannot yield the best result. That’s why fertilizers for vegetables were created for the best soil nourishment.
That being said, we will go over the list of 15 best fertilizer for tomatoes to clear up the confusion you might have. Besides my thorough review, I also added an extensive buying guide to help you better navigate this vast fertilizer market.
What Is the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes?
It is confusing to navigate through endless options of tomato fertilizers out there in the market. So this guide will serve you well in helping you to choose the best fertilizer for tomatoes that will grow the most delicious tomatoes for your garden!
- Best Overall: Miracle-Gro Tomato Fertilizer
“Guaranteed not to burn, safe for all plants, work instantly for quick results.” - Best Budget: Greenway Biotech Water Soluble Tomato Fertilizer
“1000 gallons of liquid tomato fertilizer from a 5-pound concentrated bag.” - Best Organic Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Jobe’s Organics 9026
“Packed with Biozome, improve the soil conditions, no synthetic chemicals.” - Best for Tomatoes in Containers: Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Tomato Fertilizer
“Full of calcium helps form stronger cell walls, prevents disorders in edible crops.” - Best Natural Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Tomato-tone Organic
“Enhanced with thousands of living microbes, a complex blend of 15 nutrients.” - Best Liquid Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Fox Farm FX14092
“Special brew with earthworm castings, Norwegian kelp, and essential nutrients.” - Best for Tomatoes in Pots: Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer
“Deodorized with Natural Wintergreen, add to water or use as a foliar spray.” - Best Nitrogen Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Down to Earth Organic Bat Guano
“Rich in readily available water-soluble Nitrogen, fast-acting, 7-3-1 formula.” - Best Organic Liquid Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Neptune’s Harvest Organic Hydrolized Fish & Seaweed
“Exclusively organic, longer-lasting blooms, easy to mix, and apply.” - Best With Epsom Salts: MasterBlend Complete Combo Kit Fertilizer
“MasterBlend 4-18-38, Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0, and Epsom Salt.” - Best for Cherry Tomatoes: Plant Magic Organic Fertilizer
“Doesn’t break down into salts; works on sand, loam, and clay soil.” - Best for Starting Tomatoes: Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato Fertilizer
“No GMOs, chicken manure or sewage sludge; feeds for months.” - Best Slow Release Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Jobe’s Tomato Spikes
“Slow release of nutrients to the growing active roots for 8 weeks.” - Best Granular Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal
“2% Nitrogen, 14% phosphate, and 15% calcium; granulated prilled form.” - Best Foliar Fertilizer for Tomatoes: Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus
“Feeds indoor and outdoor plants, 10-15-10 formula, famous 7 drops formula.”
Comparison of Top 15 Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes 2021
As you see, each mentioned tomato fertilizer has its unique strengths and purposes. So this comparison table will help you look through all the main differences between them to find the best fertilizer for tomatoes in the market.
Reviews of the Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes
Apart from all of the fundamental differences of a tomato fertilizer, I am sure that you are beyond curious about their other amazing nutritional benefits. You will get to know how well each of the best fertilizer for tomatoes can nourish your tomato garden.
Miracle-Gro Tomato Fertilizer
(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)
Miracle-Gro Tomato Fertilizer has 18-18-21 NPK with the following essential nutrients: 0.5% magnesium, 0.05% copper, 0.10% iron, 0.05% manganese, 0.05% zinc. No wonder this tomato fertilizer has always remained as the number one best-seller product.
Simply follow the direction to the T, and it is guaranteed not to burn any plants in your garden. It is also entirely safe to apply Miracle-Gro Tomato Fertilizer to the foliage of a plant. Just purchase a spray bottle produced by Miracle-Gro, and you are good to go.
Pros
- Guaranteed not to burn plants
- Works fast for quick results
- Suitable for Outdoor and Indoor plants
- Easy to fill and mix
Cons
- Might attract gnats and flies around the plant
Jobe’s Organics 9026 Fertilizer
(Best Organic Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
Jobe’s Organics 9026 Fertilizer is a fast-acting organic fertilizer that contains Jobe Biozome. It helps improve the soil environment by resisting disease and insects during the growing season. It is qualified by the USDA to be safely used in organic gardens.
It works best in nitrogen-rich soil since the ratio of Jobe’s Organics 9026 Fertilizer 2-5-3, which means the phosphorus level is high. In contrast, the level of nitrogen is less than potassium. The product comes in a convenient resealable pour bag.
Pros
- Fast-acting organic fertilizer that creates the more abundant harvest
- Thanks to the resealable bag, the risk of it losing potency is low
- Contains obe Biozome for sufficient soil nourishment
- USDA “certified organic” accredited
Cons
- It might cause fungus to grow and attract worms
Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Tomato Fertilizer
(Best for Tomatoes in Containers)
Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Tomato Fertilizer contains a high calcium content, which helps to form stronger plant wall cells for better quality harvest. It is perfectly suitable for use in outdoor grounds, indoor containers, and garden beds as well.
It is filled with vital blended nutrients, such as kelp, feather meal, bone meal, earthworm castings. It does a great job of preventing disorders relating to calcium deficiency, such as blossom end rot and fruit cracking in edible crops.
Pros
- High content of calcium
- Filled with kelp, feather meal, bone meal, earthworm castings
- Prevents disorders associating with calcium deficiency
- The plastic jug is conveniently easy to use
Cons
- The tab of the pour lid might be challenging to open due to its tiny design
Tomato-tone Organic Fertilizer
(Best Natural Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
There is a perfect combination of 3% nitrogen, 4% phosphate, and 6% soluble potash in Tomato-tone Organic Fertilizer. Also, with a 5% level of calcium, it keeps the blossom end rot at bay. Besides calcium, it also has 1% magnesium and 3% sulfur.
It would be a crime not to mention Tomato-tone’s signature Espoma’s proprietary Bio-tone® feature. The brand has created this magic formula to fit over 3 million beneficial microbes in one product. These microbes help create a strong root system.
Pros
- A perfect combination of 3% nitrogen, 4% phosphate, and 6% soluble potash
- Tomato-tone’s signature Espoma’s proprietary Bio-tone® feature
- Contains over 3 million beneficial microbes
- Creates a strong root system
Cons
- Strong and unpleasant smell like a rotten fish
Fox Farm FX14092 Concentrate Fertilizer
(Best Liquid Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
Grow and harvest the best tomatoes for your family consumption with the boost of this water-soluble and fast-acting fertilizer. Feel free to use Fox Farm FX14092 Concentrate Fertilizer as a foliar feeding to both sides of the leaves in the early morning.
It helps form sturdier stems and leaves by including earthworm castings and Norwegian kelp into this fertilize. There are also enough nutrients and trace minerals for more abundant blooms and harvests of flower and fruit development.
Pros
- Water-soluble, fast-acting
- Filled with earthworm castings, Norwegian kelp, essential micronutrients
- Enhances abundant blooms and harvests
- Optimal for tomatoes
Cons
- The organic-based label is misleading; this is a synthesized fertilizer
Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer
(Best for Tomatoes in Pots)
This Alaska all-natural organic fertilizer is made from the unused remaining parts of fish. The NPK ratio that it offers is 5-1-1, or to make it clearer; it means 5% Nitrogen, 1% Phosphorus, and 1% Potassium. The fertilizer is so mild that it won’t burn your plants.
If you keep this fertilizer in a cool, dry place, it can last for years and years. You can easily use it for indoor and outdoor tomato growing. The only downside is the foul smell of it since it was made from parts of unused fish.
Pros
- Mild fertilizer that doesn’t plants
- Long-lasting shelf life
- 100% all-natural
- Suitable for outdoor and indoor tomato growing
Cons
- The fish smell is too strong leaning on the unpleasant side
Down to Earth Organic Bat Guano Fertilizer
(Best Nitrogen Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
Down To Earth’s Bat Guano’s NPK ratio is 7-3-1, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. Moreover, to make it even better, the brand made sure most of the nitrogen is water-soluble for plants to absorb fast and efficiently for quick nourishments.
You can also rest assured that this fertilizer is USDA organic certified. For the best effect of nourishing the plants and stimulating significant growth, it was made to work well with the microorganisms, fungi, and other organic matters in the soil.
Pros
- Rich in nitrogen with the NPK ratio of 7-3-1
- Fast-acting water-soluble nitrogen
- USDA certified organic
- Works well with the microorganisms, fungi, and other organic matters in the soil
Cons
- The actual size of the box might be too small for your expectation
Neptune’s Harvest Organic Hydrolized Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer
(Best Organic Liquid Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
This Neptune’s Harvest Organic fertilizer provides a quick, efficient boost for your tomatoes. It was made from 100% natural ingredients: fish and seaweed. Feel free to mix it into the water or foliar feed the plant by applying it directly to the leaves. The product’s nitrogen form is easy for the plants to absorb.
You also get the best value for the price you pay. Do you know that the 18-ounce bottle can last for over 2 years? But keep in mind about the similar problems with every fish fertilizer out there is the terrible smell, which can make many people gag.
Pros
- Fast, efficient nutrient boost
- 100% all-natural
- Nitrogen form is natural for the plants to absorb
- A great deal for the buck
Cons
- The terrible smell might scare people off
MasterBlend Complete Combo Kit Fertilizer
(Best With Epsom Salts)
The individual blend of each component offers you the utmost freedom and flexibility to mix it into the water as little or as much as you want to, making it an excellent choice for professional use to reach the optimum gardening growth.
You can find the impressive bags of MasterBlend 4-18-38, Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0, and Epsom Salt in a one-stop kit. As you can see, this kit comes with an Epsom Salt, so get your kitchen scale ready and mix everything for the fantastic growth rate.
Pros
- Mixing flexibility allows you to adjust each ingredient for professional use
- 100% water-soluble
- 4-18-38 tomato formula
- Contains all the vital micronutrients and minerals for your plants to digest
Cons
- The actual packaging doesn’t look the same as in the picture
Plant Magic Organic Fertilizer
(Best for Cherry Tomatoes)
Cherry tomatoes are one of the most easy-to-grow summer vegetables. They can bear fruit for the whole season long and suffer fewer diseases compared to other larger tomato types. So cherry tomatoes are a perfect choice for newbie gardeners to start their gardening journey.
Depending on your preference, both organic or synthetic fertilizers will work perfectly well for cherry tomatoes. Plant Magic Organic Fertilizer is easy to use for newbie gardeners, containing Bacillus, Glomus, and Rhizopogon. It is a 100 percent organic product, which is perfectly clean and safe.
Pros
- Easy to use even for newbie gardeners
- 100% organically safe for pets and children
- Unlike chemicals, it doesn’t break down into salts
- Contains Bacillus, Glomus, and Rhizopogon
Cons
- There is some possibility of it burning your plants
Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato Fertilizer
(Best for Starting Tomatoes)
This Dr. Earth fertilizer blend is organically formulated to feed vegetables in gardens and containers with no synthetic chemicals or toxic ingredients. The balanced blend provides the most nutritional components to the soil, promoting the healthiest plants.
Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato Fertilizer is fully packed with natural organic nutrients extracted from plants, fish, and mined minerals. The NPK ratio that it offers is high in phosphate, to be precise, it is 4-6-3.
Pros
- Garden-friendly, safe for the environment, safe for kids and pets
- OMRI, CCOF, NOP “organic certified”
- No synthetic chemicals or toxic ingredients
- Handcrafted from food-safe ingredients
Cons
- No defections recorded so far
Jobe’s Tomato Fertilizer Spikes
(Best Slow Release Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
If you are a first-time grower and looking for a slow time release tomato fertilizer, look no further than Jobe’s Tomato Fertilizer Spikes. It doesn’t require you to blend or mix anything, just simply take out the spikes and insert them into the ground directly to the roots.
Once it is properly placed to the roots, the time-released fertilizer of the spikes will absorb to the soil, and the plant will digest the needed nutrients for them to bloom. These spikes provide a continuous supply of macronutrients and minerals for 8 weeks.
Pros
- Straightforward, easy-to-use process for simple and quick results
- Slow time-released technology for up to 8 weeks
- The spikes are deeply rooted to avoid nutrients being washed away
- Stored in a resealable pouch
Cons
- It is not an economical product for the price you pay
Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal Fertilizer
(Best Granular Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
Everyone as a gardener would love their fruits and vegetables to grow up big and strong. Using a vegetable fertilizer is usually an inevitable requirement to boost and enrich the soil health, making it the perfect environment for veggies to grow.
As the name says it all, the Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal fertilizer comes from cows’ unused parts. It contains an abundance of nutrients with high levels of phosphorus together with calcium and nitrogen. It has 2% Nitrogen, 14% phosphate, and 15% calcium to create strong root systems.
Pros
- OMRI certified organic
- Less dusty during application due to its “prilled” form
- Promotes denser root structures
- High in phosphate and calcium
Cons
- Difficulty in dispensing the product might occur due to its fine powder texture
Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus
(Best Foliar Fertilizer for Tomatoes)
Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus works well with all Indoor and Outdoor plants. The nutrients are dissolved evenly with water, so it feeds the tomatoes every time you water or when it rains. Use a spray bottle for foliar feeding to spray the leaves if you wish to.
This is an inexpensive fertilizer. It has the 7 Drops Formula that provides all the essential nutrients and feeds everything with only seven drops per quart of water. Just carefully keep it in the dark, cool place, and the potency could be retained for a very long time.
Pros
- Economical and efficient 7 Drops Formula
- Works well with all Indoor and Outdoor plants
- Long-lasting shelf life
- NPK ratio of 10-15-10
Cons
- The product may leak during shipment
Greenway Biotech Water Soluble Tomato Fertilizer
(Best Budget)
Greenway Biotech Water Soluble Tomato Fertilizer is best to use in nitrogen-rich soil since a 4-18-38 blend doesn’t offer much nitrogen. There are minerals, such as manganese, iron, copper, boron, molybdenum, and zinc are included in the mix.
The instruction on how to mix it is located on the back, and it is super easy-to-follow. You can make 1,000 gallons of fertilizers out of a 5-pound bag, which is more than enough for one season of summer vegetable growth!
Pros
- A 5-pound concentrated bag yields 1,000 gallons of liquid tomato fertilizer
- 100% water-soluble for faster nutrient absorption
- It contains iron, manganese, zinc, copper, phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen
- Maintains a balanced PH level of 5.8 and 6.1
Cons
- No defections recorded so far
Tomato Fertilizers Buying Guide
Besides the main specifications listed above, there are other important factors related to tomato fertilizers as well. The first step to deciding which type of fertilizer is best for your tomatoes is to take into consideration these following things.
The Frequency of Fertilization
The first question that usually comes up from new gardeners is how often they should fertilize their tomatoes. Honestly, each tomato plant requires a different level of care and attention. You need to figure out the feeding rhythm to your tomatoes by trial and error.
There are numerous options of fertilizers out there with different speeds of nutrient absorption and release. There are typical powder ones, spikes as solid fertilizers, bone meal. You decide the frequency of feeding your plants, depending on which type of fertilizer you use.
Fertilization Techniques
It is crucial to get familiar with some of the common fertilization techniques before you begin your tomato growing journey. There are four popular methods: side-dressing, top-dressing, and foliar spraying.
Side-dressing is when you dig into the soil and put the fertilizers around the side of the tomatoes. Top-dressing simply means that you put the fertilizer on the top. Or you can simply mix it with water and spray on the leaves as a foliar spraying method.
NPK Ratio
This is the most important thing you need to look for when choosing the most suitable fertilizer for your tomato garden. Pay attention to three dashed numbers clearly shown on the label of each product, such as 4-6-3.
These numbers represent Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Normally, people don’t know how to determine the nutrient content of their soils. So avoid buying rich-nitrogen fertilizer on the first go, since most of the soil naturally contains a high nitrogen level.
How to Use Tomato Fertilizer?
When applying fertilizer while planting tomatoes, blend the tomato plant manure thoroughly with the soil at the base on the planting holes, at that point place some unfertilized soil over this before setting the tomato plant into the planting hole. If it happens that the fertilizer gets into contact with the roots, the tomato plant will get burnt and won´t grow.
While putting fertilizer onto the tomato plants as soon as the fruits begin setting, ensure the tomato tree gets watered properly. If it happens that the tomato plant wasn’t watered adequately prior to applying the fertilizer, it can suck excess of the fertilizer and result in the plant drying out.
As soon as you finish watering, pour the fertilizer on the ground at about 6 inches away from the plant. Putting fertilizer near the base of the tomato plant can lead to the fertilizer diffusing onto the roots or stem causing the tomato plant to dry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are some frequently asked questions about fertilizer for tomatoes.
Our Top Picks
I am sure you’re reading these tomato fertilizer reviews hoping to find the best fertilizer for tomatoes that can give your tomatoes the most nutritional values. I hope you have found this article to help you grow an abundance of wonderful juicy tomatoes.
Based on your personal needs, you can choose from the best overall Miracle-Gro Tomato Fertilizer or Greenway Biotech Water Soluble Tomato Fertilizer as the best for the bang or Jobe’s Organics 9026 Fertilizer as the best organic option.
It is a great pleasure to hear your opinion about this article in the comment section below. I would be more than happy to know what you think. Sharing it to Facebook and Twitter is an excellent way to spread the word about quality tomato fertilizers.
Hence, it can be safely concluded that this product is among the best fertilizer for onions that you would find in the market. The buyer does not even have to add water quite often after using this product. They can just water the plants once every week, and that would be enough.