Can someone please help me w/ fertilizer?

8 years ago

In my first garden, I used a mixture of compost, peat, sand and top soil. I was informed (here on this great forum) that I need to offer nutrients to the plants as well. I have done some reading about fertilizers and read 10-10-10 is a good general one, but I was wondering if maybe I could buy two or three that could offer me what I need for the small garden I started this year.
I am growing (zone 6): Tomatoes, Green (to red) Peppers, Beans, Peas, Basil, Zucchini, Leaf Lettuce and Cucumbers.

It is my understanding that Tomatoes (maybe Peppers) would be best served if there was a higher percentage of Phosphorus and Potassium since the plant is growing and starting to flower (tomatoes, not yet peppers). Is that correct? I think I also read that peas are best served with Nitrogen, even as they continue to grow. Do I have this right? What about the other vegetables listed above? Can I buy one to three fertilizers for all these plants, or do I need a general fertilizer if I won't be individually fertilizing each plant? Thank you to anyone who can help.

Featured Answer

digdirt2

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I think I pretty much covered this in my long post on your other question. But I will add that no, peas and beans like all legumes do not need nor even tolerate lots of nitrogen. That gets you lots of leaves but few peas and beans. Legumes pull nitrogen from the air as needed. There is an old adage that you can grow beans on concrete and there is a hair of truth to it.

All of the vegetables you list with the exception of the peas and beans are well served by any basic 3-2-3 fertilizer that also contains micro-nutrients like zinc, boron, iron, etc. so no multiple choices of fertilizers is required. I suggested you begin with MG All Purpose Fertilizer because it is the simplest way to start for this year, is easy to use and covers all the bases for beginners. I'd suggest you use it diluted to 1/2 strength on all but the peas and beans (none for them) as a root drench every 10 days or so. Water the plants first then mix it up in a bucket and give each plant about a quart of the mix.

Then do some research on the basic question - "Do you want to garden organically or is using synthetics ok with you. Once you make that decision we can go from there.

Dave

PS: as I mentioned before there are 100s of fert choices available and everyone has their favorities. Use the search here to pull up past discussions on 'fertilizers' and make a list of the brands discussed that appeal to you. One current discussion running over on the Growing Tomato forum here is what-and-how-do-you-feed-your-tomato-plants

Comments (6)

greglong5309
Original Author
8 years ago
Dave, yes thank you for your post on the other question. I did read through it all and have started to do some research in the 'search' option on this forum. Your answer (and others) made me realize I need to feed my plants and the soil won't be doing all the work, so I started this new subject.

The product you suggested is 24-8-16. Is that a product I should start using now and all throughout the summer? Or once the plants start to flower, should I switch to something that has a higher middle number? I am starting to learn about the N-P-K numbers, and not having tested my own soil, I understand you cannot give a specific answer, but I am curious as to a general rule what you would suggest. Thank you again.
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bcomplx
8 years ago
For years I have used blended dry organic fertilizers for everything. They feed the soil, then the soil feeds plants. Espoma and MiracleGro organic can be found anywhere, or you can use a regionally-produced product. Low-analysis organic fertilizers can be used generously with little risk of over doing it.
greglong5309
Original Author
8 years ago
thank you bcomplx
digdirt2
8 years ago
<Is that a product I should start using now and all throughout the summer? Or once the plants start to flower, should I switch to something that has a higher middle number? >

Now, in a well diluted form as I said. But there is no need to switch to anything different later on. It is a quick fix remember? But contains everything plants could need in this particular situation.

At the same time begin working on your soil with the additions of more high quality compost and hopefully by late summer your plants will show you that they don't need nearly as much.

The long term goal is for you to learn in the meantime. To come to recognize the needs of your soil and your plants, and to decide if you wish to garden organically or not. With that decision, if you choose to stick with synthetics then it is all you need, all thousands of gardeners ever use. If you choose organics (my personal choice), comes a whole new learning curve.

Dave
jnjfarm_gw
8 years ago
If I was you, I would get a bag of 10-10-10 and fertilize your plant this growing season. This fall take soil samples to be tested and come up with a plan for what is best for you in the future whether it is organic or conventional fertilizers. There is lots of choices. As a market gardener, my fertility choices are made on basic economics. I have seen too many times where people will try lots of different thing and wound up with tomatoes that cost them $20/ lbs to grow.

Can someone please help me w/ fertilizer?

digdirt2

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