Miracle Gro Tomato Vs. Tomato Tone

livelovelaugh2010

11 years ago

I am wondering which fertilizer is best between Miracle Gro Tomato and Tomato Tone.

I have a brand new box of Miracle Gro Tomato that I have used once. Should I switch to Tomato Tone?

Or is it okay to use both at the same time?

I have been watering my seedlings with a 30% dilution of the MG, that's why I have the new box.

I was planning on using the Tomato Tone when I transplanted the seedlings outdoors but is it alright to use both?

Comments (5)

Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio
11 years ago
You can use both. I definitely think the tomatotone is superior, it works a little more slowly, but it includes more trace elements and has soil microorganisms that help the plants take up nutrients.. I use tomatotone in the soil when planting out then add it by scratching it into the soil around the plant as directed every four weeks. But I grow in containers, so I also use a liquid chemical fertilizer once a week through the season. I use Foliage Pro for the chemical feed now. Years ago, I only used MG for tomatoes in my containers, and it was more like famine and feast for my plants. Growing in the ground with good soil, you probably would be better off using only tomatotone.
digdirt2
11 years ago
If they are in ground plants then I agree that you can use both if you want to. They work very differently since one is synthetic and the other organic. The Tomato Tone will supply everything needed if your soil has a good level of organic matter and active bacteria. Both are required for organic fertilizers to work. Otherwise the MG may be of more help.

Your choice.

Dave
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Tapla and Justaguy, I wanted to point out your dislike of organics in containers was reaffirmed by Ray's experiment. I know the problems associated with using organics in containers and that researchers have tried to obtain results equal to conventional methods with much tweaking of the organic systems and have had some success. But Ray's experiments last year certainly back up your contentions in other threads that using organics in containers would give disappointing results. At least it certainly did using Fox Farm vs the old formula of Tomato Tone. The old T.T. formula was a mix of synthetics and organics and look at the results in Ray's picture--the tomato with lots of fruits on the right (TT) VS the pitiful organic one (Foxfarm) next to it that you can barely make out. Even Ray's miracle gro soil mix WITH fertilizer did not help Fox Farm. Now having said this I have had good results growing certain vegetables organically in containers. Perhaps they would been bigger with synthetics but I was happy with the results. I certainly would not be happy with the results that Ray got with Fox Farm and was surprised the difference was that dramatic. By the way I use both synthetic and organics fertilizers but I am interested in improving organic results particular when told it just can't be done. Any chance that some of the non-plant ingredients are soil-type microbes that would help the organic fertilizer breakdown and be utilized in containers? Ray, I also noted the change in the formulas on my old bags of TT and the new. I was disappointed that they did this as I liked the higher potassium and the synthetic components ameliorate some of the organic drawbacks. I already had Plant-tone if I wanted to go purely organic. As far as your new experiment, it will be interesting to see how the new TT with all the biological microbes stacks up to the old. Also the ferts, in the Miracle Gro are long gone now and won't impact the experiment.
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Jay5
11 years ago
I am using Tomato tone, epsom salts, and bone meal in both my containers and raised bed and all my tomatoes are looking really good.

Last year I used MG and then foliage pro in the containers but thought I'd try something else this time.The constant mixing was a lot of work for me.

I also am using garden tone for my squash and cukes in containers and they are doing fine as well.

The miracle grow shake n feed vegetable also does well. It is a controlled release fert with micros. I am trialing it on a squash plant in a container and it looks good also.
the0ry
11 years ago
Unless you plan to give away your existing MG to someone who gardens, I say use it up first. Do I love MG? No. Would I buy Espoma over MG if I went to a store that sold both today? Yes. Do I hate to see people waste money searching for the PERFECT solution when 'good enough' will do? Yes (although I have to own a lifetime of not always living this). Take a deep breath, live, love and laugh (preferably in the garden). Then, when you run out of fertilizer, either buy Espoma (Tomatone) or check here to see if people recommend something they like even more that your local store has.
love2garden55
11 years ago
I sure love what tomato-tone does for the overall look of tomatoes! Here's also a site that sells tomato-tone: http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/ProductCart/pc/Espoma-Tomato-tone-3-4-6-8-lb-bag-p6036.htm

Miracle Gro Tomato Vs. Tomato Tone

Comments (5)

Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio

digdirt2

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the0ry

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