Cucumbers and tomatoes are heavy feeders. They will grow faster and taste better if you have enriched your soil with compost or good organic matter. Some of the expert growers maintain that adding dried seaweed to the soil to boost trace elements will give you stronger and better disease-resistantplants. Cucumbers need moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium, so an organic plant food with the first number lower than the last two (like 3-4-6) is good. Keep plants well watered to avoid bitter-tasting cucumbers.
Tomatoes need soil that is high in all nutritional components, and the same fertilizer with slightly higher P and K numbers, will work well. Fertilize your tomatoes just two times during the season--two weeks after planting and again just when the fruits are starting to set -- using the organic fertilizer or a fish or seaweed emulsion. Adding organic matter into your soil in fall or early springprovides the mostlasting benefit to your garden.
Don't forget a soil test for correct pH, and compost amendment.
Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information
FAQs
A great option for a fertilizer that can be used at the planting stage is the Expert Gardener All Purpose Plant Fertilizer 10-10-10 available at Walmart. Once the cucumber plants are flowering, then a fertilizer designed for growing tomatoes is the best option for a feed that is high in potassium.
What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes and cucumbers? ›
Cucumbers need moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium, so an organic plant food with the first number lower than the last two (like 3-4-6) is good.
What is the perfect fertilizer for tomatoes? ›
Fertilize tomatoes at planting time with a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus. Fertilize again with a 5-10-5 fertilizer after you see the first fruit. Finally, fertilize one last time after harvesting the first fruit.
Is 10-10-10 good fertilizer for tomatoes? ›
If only one type of formulated fertilizer is used, it's best to choose a balanced product such as NPK 10-10-10. When should I fertilize my tomato plants? You should fertilize your tomato plants just before or during planting, around two weeks before bloom begins, and again when the first tomatoes are small.
Is 15/30/15 fertilizer good for tomato plants? ›
15-30-15 can be used to remedy phosphorus deficient soils. Plant-Prod 15-30-15 High P fertilizer is recommended at the beginning of growth, as required by many greenhouse crops, in particular by tomatoes and cucumber grown in open ground.
Which fertilizer is best for cucumbers? ›
However, as soon as the first flowers start to appear the cucumber plant requires a higher level of potassium to encourage further flowering and subsequent fruiting. A high potassium fertiliser, such as tomato feed or a balanced fertiliser mix including potassium can be used as per the instructions.
Can you use 20/20/20 fertilizer on tomatoes? ›
An all purpose greenhouse fertilizer, i.e. 20-20-20, is a poor choice for tomatoes. Tomatoes need a grade with much lower nitrogen and much higher potassium, as well as several other essential elements.
Is Epsom salt good for tomatoes? ›
Adding Epsom salts to your plant either through foliar spray or direct watering is a great way of boosting micronutrient absorption. This helps your tomato plant produce large, juicy, and very sweet fruits. Remember that a little bit goes a long way and too much can cause more problem than it fixes.
Is Miracle-Gro good for tomatoes? ›
Tomato plants have big appetites and need a steady supply of plant food to grow their best. Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules feeds both your plants and the beneficial microbes in the soil (which help plants take up all the nutrition they need) for up to 6 weeks.
Is 10 30 20 fertilizer good for tomatoes? ›
From this point on I stick with the Blossom Booster 10-30-20. The high potassium will let the fruit finish nicely. Apply the fertilizers every 10 days or so right through the end of the crop.
Tomato fertilizers also have calcium, which tomatoes and peppers need. Root vegetables can use a balanced fertilizer like a 19-19-19. You can also use this fertilizer for your leafy greens if you don't need a 50-pound bag of urea.
What fertilizer increases tomato size? ›
Nitrogen and potassium are fundamental to achieving high marketable yields. Correct form of nitrogen is critical – ammonium can restrict growth and adversely affect quality. Phosphorus is important for early growth and root development of the establishing seedling.
Is 20/20/20 good for tomatoes? ›
An all purpose greenhouse fertilizer, i.e. 20-20-20, is a poor choice for tomatoes. Tomatoes need a grade with much lower nitrogen and much higher potassium, as well as several other essential elements.
Are coffee grounds good for tomatoes and cucumbers? ›
Coffee grounds are slightly acidic, so they can lower the pH level of the soil over time. This can be beneficial for acid-loving plants like tomatoes or blueberries, but should be monitored to prevent excessive acidity.
What can you use 10-10-10 fertilizer on? ›
10-10-10 is called an all-purpose fertilizer because it can be used on almost any type of outdoor plant, including vegetables, shrubs, trees, flowers, lawns, and houseplants. Generally, it can be applied to any plant that doesn't need one of the three macronutrients in higher amounts.
Do tomatoes like coffee grounds as fertilizer? ›
2️⃣ Nutrient Powerhouse: Coffee grounds = packed with nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and micronutrients. Your tomatoes will thank you for the growth and juicy fruits! 3️⃣ pH Perfect: Coffee grounds = slightly acidic, just what tomatoes love! Maintain that ideal pH range (6.0-6.8) for optimal growth.
