When to First Fertilize Your Tomato Seedlings with Liquid Fertilizer - The Rusted Garden 2014

I recommend fertilizing your tomato seedlings with 1/2 strength liquid fertilizer. You don't need full strength. It is important to have numbers (no 0's) in N-P-K. What ratio is up to you. Organic or inorganic is up to you. Just make sure all three main numbers are represented and only go with 1/2 strength.

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[OldAlabamaGardener]

Gary,  I liked your idea on growing onions from seed.  I am trying it right now as we speak!
Your thoughts on whether or not to go organic are good.  The main point for growing anything we are going to eat is to stay away from poison sprays on our food crops, that is where organic comes into play.  The fertilizer used is not so important, the plant doesn't know the difference between organic nitrogen or manmade nitrogen.  I do agree that the other factors of organic are important, things such as soil life, which would include bacteria, worms and such.
I haven't started my tomato plants yet, but it is getting close!
I appreciate the work you do to help teach the rest of us about gardening.

[daniel]

The numbers are fairly easy to understand. To make it as simple as possible the first number is mainly for the green part of the plant and the other two are for flowers and fruits.

[iamwalkingbyfaith]

I did use fish emulsion and I used it in the house. Fortunately, the smell didn't linger around long.

[cindytracy]

how often should you fertilize seediling?

[alyssa]

I have ‘Down To Earth‘ Starter Mix that you mix into the soil. It lists 3-3-3 for NPK. It's a great product for small seedlings.

The box lists the ingredients as: Alfalfa Meal, Fish Bone Meal, Langbeinite, Oyster Shell, Basalt, Feather Meal and Kelp Meal

[RVFreeDa]

I used too much nitrogen once and I got some really pretty bushy green tomato plants by no fruit. Thanks for your videos!

[ChevyGuy]

I have heard that a light purple color on the tomato stem is a good thing because it means the stem is strong and will support it self better. In greenhouses they have fans for air circulation but that also acts as wind to strengthen the stems. I don't know if this is entirely true but like you said in the video annotation, ask 100 people and you will get 100 different answers.

[FrostPlutarc]

I have to agree with you.  Last year I used organic on my seedling and it did not smell very nice.  This year I'm using Schultz Plant Food Plus 10-15-10.  The instruction call for 7 drops per quarts I use 3 for my seedlings.  Once outside it's all 100% organic.  Would be nice to find an organic fertilizer which does not stink up the house.

[sharonousmankobo]

Thank you I will definitely us half strength fish emulsion. All of my tomato seedlings definitely have true leaves 🌱

[yesyes]

I have some tomato seed which I have started in a trial basis as it is for plants that are not found in my area.  They were started 6-23  and after only 3 weeks from seed start they are 5-6" tall.  The first leaves you see on the plant are not true leaves and plants get nourishment from these, the only thing I do at this point is mist the cell .  Once they develop 1-2 sets of true leave I pot them up and it is at this point that I will bottom water with a weak mix of fert.  maybe only 1/4 at first and then later maybe 1/2 strength.  Note- these pots are still sitting in a flatt with shoplight over them maybe 2-3 " above.  I keep raising the light is it is on chains which can be easily moved.  I am amazed at the speed of the growth of these seedlings.

[alayaheart]

Great info Gary! We are an organic farm so must use organic / non toxic on our toms and other food plants

[lucrecialongshore]

This was super helpful!!! Thank you for posting this!! It answered all my questions and thank you so much for pointing out and explaining the three numbers! Thank you thank you thank you!!

[LarrysLeatherWork]

Always enjoy your videos. I have made a light on a shelf we have and plants love it. Keep the videos coming and thank you.

[pureluck]

Omg and here I thought it was cool that my mini and dwarf tomato seedlings having a purple hue on the underside when in reality that they were trying to tell me that they need food! 😱 my poor seedlings

[WayneMeador]

All very well said and great points Gary Pilarchik!

[kengibbs]

I'm using a 2~7~7 at half strength for my tomato and pepper plants I grew from seed an the first set of true leaves above the seed leaves there a little dry an crumbly like the seed leaves do. But the top growth looks good.... The question is should I remove the leave branch that I don't think they will come back plus I know we bury them deep any way.... Take care Gary!!

[thetruthchannel]

Do you continue you to constantly feed throughout the entire plants life?

[rickschulte]

i appreciate your info. i am new at growing, and so do like learning what you explained, thank you.

[thesnoozebutton]

My cucumber seedlings and tomatoes both have a set of true leaves bit I'm seeing that some of the leaves are turning kindof yellow and some almost look like ther are getting g bleached out. Any suggestions? Thank you I love your videos🥰

[abcisneros]

How do you know how much fertilizer to put? When you say half strength are you insinuating I should dilute it with water?