What Fertilizer Is The Best For Tomatoes? Experiment Time!

[@brendamatthews4435]

I've only recently been serious about gardening again. The fish fertiliser I used in the 1980 was much stronger than what I can buy today, so I made my own fish fertiliser. Very easy and cheap. I spray it on the leaves once a week with a wetting agent and in-between I put the fish fertiliser into the ground (with water in a watering can). Plus I water almost daily. My babies are thriving and producing tomatoes within a month. The plants are almost 5' tall. I live in a similar semi-tropical climate as Hawaii with sandy, loamy, volcanic soil - in Queensland Australia. No pots, no beds - straight into the prepared garden area.

[@shorty1103]

What's the recipe for your fish fertilizer ? 😂

[@User-jw8kw]

If you use Dr. Earth with the Fish Fiterlizer you will have an amazing plant. Dr. Earth is all natural and takes time to break down. The fish fertilizer is an instant feed. I not using the fish fertilizer as it smells to much, so I am trying kelp flakes and doing foliar spray and watering the plant with it. Amazing results.

[@novafiddler1712]

Seedlings also get leggy when their medium doesn’t have enough water. I use fabric pots, but I don’t like them. Even when I use mulch, it is difficult to keep the top and sides moist. When the sides and top dry, the dirt shrinks away from the sides; shrinks around the roots and chokes them in such a way that even after you water and moisturize, over time you see diminished growth and returns when compared to an ordinary pot.

[@skido5734]

I like to plant the fabric pots into the ground. Not how they're intended to be used but I like how the roots grow through the bag and it helps with issue you brought up

[@CJ-oi7zm]

Don’t need to buy tomato seeds. If you have a tomato you like, just take the fresh seeds and place/ spread them onto white paper towel and let them just dry out. When your ready to plant, just take the paper towel and rip into sections and put the seeds with the paper towel into the soil, water and care as you would for any tomato plant. 😊

[@tomdix5167]

Hybrid may not be true to parent, open pollinated may cross breed if near a different variety of open pollinated.

[@lesleybarclay3085]

You need to check to see that the seeds you save are not hybrids, otherwise they will not come true.

[@CJ-oi7zm]

@@lesleybarclay3085 it’s been working great for years. Get a nice little crop since all I can do is small pots on a small balcony. Try it, great and easy process

[@glitterhounds]

That works if it is heirloom tomatoe but if it is a hybrid the plant will grow and produce loys of leaves but few if any tomatoes.

[@CJ-oi7zm]

@@glitterhounds read the comments before yours. Not true. It does not need to be an heirloom. Don’t know what’s a hybrid but it’s been working great with supermarket tomatoes for years. Get a nice little crop since all I can do is small pots on a small balcony. Try it, great and easy process

[@mastertechnician3372]

Thank you. It is a pleasure to see you grow plants and experiment, then share the findings with us.

[@GrowOhighO]

Your welcome

[@josettecanape9284]

Finally found a gardening channel from Hawaii.

[@heyyou4023]

Thanks for your comparison video. I like your running account of the three fertilizers. You show the results, instead of others who tell us what fertilizer to use then end the video. I planted my cherry tomato seedlings on 5/7. I was having leggy seedlings too. I've been trying to chase the sun using a cart for my five gallon bucket. I'm using Tomato Tone and fish fertilizer. Alternate every week. Both stink. I have no idea how the tomatoes will turn out. My first try with tomatoes. Do you think you would have gotten similar results if you didn't use bone meal and blood meal? Any alternatives to both of them? Mahalo.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I think the results would be the same without blood meal and bone meal however maybe they'd grow slower? I do like bone meal for calcium for tomatoes so you don't get blossom end rot. Otherwise you can buy a liquid calcium to fertilize once such as Cal Mag. I'm sure your tomatoes will be great! Tones is supposed to be a great fertilizer too but never tried it myself. I hear you about the sun. The way my house is positioned its hard to get a full days of sun which ever side I put them. Your cart idea is great!

[@barbarabarron6556]

I won’t be using fish fertilizer again for my potted plants. After using it, the next day, my pots were all dug up. I live in the country, and have raccoons coming up to the house getting into anything left outside. I suppose they smelled the fishy smell and dug up the pots looking for the fish. They also took the plastic jar of the fertilizer I left outside. I found it later with a hole in it and empty.

[@hm3954]

Amazing that the tomato plants can grow so well in that small of a space - looks like you'll have a great yield! Don't know which fertilizer will win, but ultimately you're the winner (of some great homegrown tomatoes)!

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks, yes a win win with lots of tomatoes. 🍅

[@scottangell267]

I use Dr. Earth in Tampa FL. The only problem with DR. Earth is my dog loves it lol....keep a fence around. You will see..Keep growing

[@pikakerose]

very interesting video thanks for taking the time to film the tomato plants weeks apart. ive trued that liquid fertilier n it works but smells n i tried a small bag of dr earth. i put egg shells n coffee in my tomato plants n theyre growing fine but i use the flick method to polinate the flowers that i learned from you n its working

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Glad it's working for you! I do the egg shells in my plants as well if I'm feeling not too lazy. It does work. Hoping you get lots of tomatoes!

[@shanec8812]

This is an amazing experiment! Thank you for taking the time to share the progress. I like the Dr. Earth's organic.

[@GrowOhighO]

Your welcome.

[@potssucculents]

Thanks for sharing this interesting viddo

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks for visiting!

[@GrowOhighO]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener your welcome

[@thisorthat7626]

Thank you! The fabric pots are great for growing as you mentioned. This experiment has been very helpful for me since I am starting tomatoes in my garden and need a fertilizer. I will go with Dr. Earth and Agrothrive to see which works best in my climate. If you can do a followup when you return from vacation it might be interesting. Mahalo.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Sure I will show them in 3 weeks.

[@geraldoyo1]

Great little study! Thank you for sharing.

[@GrowOhighO]

your welcome

[@badboybootz8]

Very informative comparison, thank you. Would be cool to see more comparisons in the future!

[@paulafriedmanalohafrommaryland]

Aloha Misty. This channel is so very interesting, mahalo for another great vlog.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks Paula!

[@sitindogmas]

thank for the comparison and taking the time

[@GrowOhighO]

your welcome

[@sk8ercory94]

You should get the morebloom Alaska fertilizer and alternate the 2 that middle plant would do very good with the phosphorus and potassium. Your plants look great I use the dr earth for my medicinal plants and love it home grown and flower girl

[@abdulqadeerkhan2110]

I sliced a nice healthy tomato & buried the slices superficially in a pot & watered. Put the pot in shade. Dozens of seedlings sprouted up. Are being successfully transplanted & growing fast. In fact they are too many

[@Big88Country]

That was awesome! I started using the Dr. Earth last year and I've been impressed with them since. They also have fertilizer for fruit trees and berries and that's working great as well. I'm like you, the Dr. Earth fertilizer is great stuff!

[@sendit1158]

Try 1 plant in a pot with cow manure and homemade compost or just use manure alone, then try one your way and see whats best

[@Big88Country]

@@sendit1158 The BlackCow we get here works awesome also! I have some beans and okra that I started in 100% BlackCow and they are doing AWESOME!

[@Walts-Travel]

Aloha!!! Misty you definitely have a "Green Thumb." I'm learning every week. Gifted and talented 👏

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thank you so much Walter but anyone can do it. No talent needed! 😊

[@Walts-Travel]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener yeah especially knowing how to mix it all together to get the best results. It's OK to take a compliment. 😉 Besides I'm talking about the total package. Have a safe trip. Hoping the weather is stable. 🤙🏽

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks. Been checking the 10 day weather forecast and it doesn't seem like it. Supposed to storm the whole first week. Hope we can get some fishing in because I already bought the license for specific dates and they do not let you change the date once you buy it. It'll be fine though...I always bring the rain 🌧 🤣 Happened last year in Montana too. Meh.

[@sushilwankar8184]

I don't think the experiment is fare enough. Even If you keep the same fertilizer and environment for the plants it varies. So to be fare enough you should have at least 3 plants per category and include the control with no amendments. But it was fun to watch i appreciate your time and efforts. Cheers!

[@Agui007]

Hello from the UK. Wow a great experiment and most noticeable in the results! I have to ask generally, isn't your soil in Hawaii, being volcanic rich?

[@byngleong8307]

Thanks for your helpful advice. From Vancouver Canada

[@GrowOhighO]

your welcome

[@Catbooks]

Interesting experiment, thanks! I'm using Dr Earth, so am happy it did the best for you. Mine are growing great, even though I got them in very late.

[@fayejackson4440]

I listened to the entire lesson. I would have like to here a little more on what process out of the three is the best for our bodies to consume ? Thanks for an important lesson for those of us who grow veggies.

[@loraadkins1228]

great viedo, do you use bone mill and blood mill and dr. earth all in one plant or dr earth in one plant thanks

[@2075vj]

I’m in Florida Fort Myers, and will be growing tomatoes here for the first time. I’m either going to use the Earth box or get some of those bags. Just purchased the Dr Earth fertilizer. I’ll be nice to see who wins. Thanks for sharing.🙏🏽

[@ohammed1]

Very informative experiment video, I wish you've made forth one and u put all fertilizers on it, and see the result of it😁👍, thank u for ur time to share this video 😊

[@rehab5355]

MORE IS BETTER

[@IAMGiftbearer]

This is what I thought. Dr. Earth's is a good brand. I have their fruit tree fertilizer. I'd also like to see a comparison with Trifecta (the fertilizer that MI Gardener created). I'm considering getting some, as it is a gradual release type and supposed to work well for all fruits and vegetable seedlings.

[@bettye444]

Thanks for making the video. It was informative and helpful.

[@GrowOhighO]

Your welcome

[@moniqueyap9193]

I seem to be garden impaired but I keep trying. And tomato's seem to be my nemesis. I just planted some more but didn't know about the bone and blood meal recipe. So those will probably flop. But again. I'll get the meal and try again. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Monique, don't give up! Even though you planted it in you can scratch in the bone meal, blood meal or the fertilizer of your choice into the top of the soil. Just remember to get a fertilizer for tomatoes or with high calcium and magnesium. Also watch my pollination video to get the most out of your tomato flowers so they turn into fruit. Thanks so much for watching!

[@feliciaward6589]

My tomatoes look like those 😅...but are supposed to be beefsteak plants. I think when I put them in pots I will use the fertilizer you mentioned. Miracle grow shake and feed, Dr. Earth, and Alaska fish fertilizer . Thank you 💗 New subscriber today 😁

[@Rocko303]

How often do you water them? Thank you for your video!

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Because it's hot here I water them everyday at evening time. If you aren't in such a hot climate you can water every other day.

[@Mike-mm2bt]

I think that miracle grow should be every three weeks not months and three months you have ripe tomatoes

[@shawnkristoferu8303]

It would have been informative if you also mentioned the first two fertilizer NPK. You did the last but not the first two.

[@donabellahardeneravlogs790]

Nice experiment!

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thank you!

[@donabellahardeneravlogs790]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener You're welcome 😊

[@groussac]

Thanks for the straight up test. Main difference I see is that Dr Earth offers bacillus and mycorrhiza. Miracle Grow & Fish Emulsion do not. Did you notice any difference in flavor, productivity or disease resistance later on in the growing season?

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I thought the fish fertilizer had the best taste. And the other two were similar in flavor but not as good as the fish emulsion.

[@groussac]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener Thanks! I appreciate the feed back.

[@PhoenixAndromeda]

your soil prep wAa really good.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thank you. 🙏

[@Elizabeth-ux3is]

Hi, fab tutorial. Which fertilizer came out best in your experiment? Thanks.

[@DeadeyeJoe37]

What part of Hawaii are you growing at? I'm in Manoa and have all sorts of problems with my tomatoes. I thought I had it figured out this time round with a bunch of cherries going (sun gold, sweet 100s, yellow pear, super cherries and purple Cherokee. They were all vigorous until they suddenly all got a wilt. The yellow pears completely wilted. Sweet 100s and the super cherries didn't wilt, but have yellowed and slowed down significantly. All 3 have the white core in the stem. Only the sungold is still chugging along.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I live in the mountain area of Aiea. I also have sun golds, sweet 100s and sugar sweet cherries. And starting a Cherokee purple. I don't have much problems except white flies on my peppers. Do you wet the leaves when you water? Most tomatoes don't like that. Water directly into the soil. I also had a mealybug problem where you see white and you'll see a white bump. Thata the bug. Spray with neem oil every other day or pesticide if you're not organic to kill them. They will kill your eggplants and tomatoes.

[@dr.michaelr.foreman2170]

I never follow the miracle grow instructions. There are variables such as rain which will leach the soil of the fertilizer much quicker. I fertilize with miracle grow as I perceive it needs. This has resulted in huge tomatoes, and plants which grow nine to ten feet tall. Usually directions are just a guide, and not written in stone.// I had to come back and add: You can also put sardines in the hole before transplanting the tomato into the ground. Sardines work great for providing the nutrients for tomato plants.

[@ProdbyDaveOfficial]

Look like Dr Earths tomato plants was receiving more sunlight.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Not really. If anything it received less sunlight if we want to be nit picky. The sun rises from the right of your screen and goes towards the left. So the Miracle grow would have the most at an angle during the late afternoon. But all three were in the same spot.

[@jbturof]

great comparison!

[@2075vj]

Because I can only plant under my lanai, my tomatoes will not have exposure to bees. Can I still be able to grow them?

[@wizebuck]

Yes. Once they flower “flick” them gently. They are self pollinating and all bees do is transfer the pollen around in each flower. Some vibrate the flowers with an electric tooth brush. Good luck!

[@G.W.H.]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[@GrowOhighO]

your welcome

[@fwmarine]

Great job!

[@lindac6570]

Another great video. The comparisons were interesting! I'd be interested to see how other veggies respond to the different fertilizers too. You're doing very well with producing veg having limited sunlight. I face the same thing.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks maybe we will do peppers or eggplants next time.

[@lindac6570]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener That would be great!

[@leodeboca]

Awesome, thanks for the impute!

[@GrowOhighO]

your welcome

[@123gyra123]

How do you stop flies from coming around from the fish emulsion? I just had the mixture on the table outside with the cap off for 3 minutes and I was inundated with flies.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I'm not sure. I don't have flies come around when I apply it. Maybe spray some citronilla spray>? We use that on picnic tables to keep flies away when eating outdoors.

[@duriancacaoboy964]

Just moved back to Florida from big island. Which island you growing?

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Oahu.

[@zoemeow7677]

Water mix miracle gro is better then the granules version blessed as was difficult your so wonderful for that is all

[@eugeneanderson1962]

Do the MG and AFF get as much sun as Dr. E?

[@jrscott5827]

Thank you for your recerch...🧐🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹one other test..I would add simply putting the plants in full 😎 sun if that tomato 🍅. variety can take full sun...next the varieties would be . tomato 🍅 CARBON...OPOLCA PASTE.. BLACK CHERRY ..AND TROPIC....THANK YOU DEARLY🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾😎😎

[@alant.541]

Wow! My money was on the fish fertilizer. Everything seems to grow bigger in Alaska. I guess the runt of the litter is the winner. Can't wait for the pasta video. 👍

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I was thinking the same as I went along! Maybe I'll do a pasta one LOL. So lazy.

[@classicrocklover5615]

It grows bigger in Alaska due to their almost 24-hour sunshine. The ratio number on the fertilizer bottle of fish emulsion should have clued you to the expected results

[@FoodFiend]

@@classicrocklover5615 Well the Miracle Grow is 10-5-15 and did the worst. So whatever they claim by numbers doesn't always show. Which is why I did this experiment. The Alaska Fish Fertilizer despite the results is my favorite fertilizer to use.

[@badboybootz8]

Do those bags have good drainage

[@infmaicol]

Hi maybe you can use fertilizer for growth and the fish emulsion when you think than are tall enough you can induction to flower ... Im from Uruguay .. thanks for the video

[@infmaicol]

i finish the video and i think you can use dr earth and miracle grow 50/50 and in 3 months use the fish fertilizer

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks for your suggestion.

[@hallhenry6135]

You can take 3 of the same type seedlings, put them in three containers, side by side, and treat them all the same way. Guess what? They will all perform differently. So a more elaborate experiment is needed. Those containers are quite small. I would use bigger ones.

[@viper04af]

try neptunes harvest tomato and veg would love to see your results, also you can use a cheap electric tooth brush to fertilize those tomato's so you get more fruit

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Yes been eyeing out Neptune's harvest. I did a pollination video prior to this and all my flowers pollinate. Thanks.

[@anxiousbeachbums]

I'm no expert but........Would the (time-released) Miracle Grow and Dr. Earth take time to dissolve and work themselves into the soil/root systems while the Alaska fish emulsion is liquid-based and will get a jumpstart, absorbing into the root system immediately.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I suppose but the Dr. Earth won. All continued on the same track about 6 months after the end result for this video and the Dr. Earth still out performed all despite giving one plant fish emulsion every week.

[@anxiousbeachbums]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener I'll definitely keep that in mind. I know another gardener (in our community garden) that swears by Dr. Earth.

[@mastertechnician3372]

Well the same is true even if you are using clay or plastic pots. You may want to re-calculate your watering schedule and amount of water or even consider drip watering system to avoid dry soil ball around stems and roots.

[@galdessa1]

With water around the stems you will get stem rot,

[@mark-tam]

Curious if the results would be the same without the blood meal and bone meal. See the results of just the ferts you were comparing.

[@robnorwood5403]

This needs larger groupings of plants to really tell the difference, a very robust plant could just be a nice phenotype

[@kellyb8237]

What are the dark reddish bark on top of plants?

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

wood mulch to keep moisture in the soil so it doesn't dry out in the heat.

[@808drummerpercussionist9]

I love Gardening, Therapy for me

[@Elizabeth-ux3is]

Apologies, I have now watched the video through. What is the optimum ratio of nitrogen to the phosphates and potassium for tomatoes? 5 . 1. 1. Doesn’t sound ideal.

[@stem50]

I use Miracle-Gro in + Alkaline Soil in Roomy Beds for my Tomatoes in N.J. . The Best I have found , Great Results .

[@jofieh.5302]

Great video, thx.

[@abdulqadeerkhan2110]

My best tomato plant got "fractured" 1 foot below the top due to strong wind. I reduced the frctr with an external wooden splint. It's full of fruit. My first in life. 😂Let's pray.

[@donabellahardeneravlogs790]

Me I use all organic fertilizer which are available around.

[@sareeza3878]

ผมชอบวิดีโอนี้มาก อยากให้คุณทำวิดีโอเปรียบเทียบปุ๋ยแบบนี้อีก

[@dean3279]

Still need a 2nd round test to get a stronger result. All seeds are not the same. If the Dr earth wins more than once we can give it more weight.

[@TassieJake]

One plant in the sunlight. It's why it went Soo well

[@jimd1617]

nice... thanks!

[@janemiller2812]

I prefer organic

[@robbiecox5014]

Just saying sun has a lot to do with it also. The one on the right gets more sun. I had a raised bed and the sun hit one end an hour before it would reach the other end. The ones getting sun first were a foot taller than the ones that got sun last.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Yes I understand, but the one to the right gets less sun which was the taller Dr Earth. The miracle grow one to the left of the screen got the most as it gets the afternoon sun in the corner. So not sure...

[@abdulqadeerkhan2110]

A tomto plant shd b dark grn with thick big leaves but well pruned. Worm meal bone meal & staking to the top keeping it flexible, water as required; are the holy grail

[@Shivermetimbers90]

What mulch did you use

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Just regular wood mulch from any store. Non dyed of course.

[@kayakaygusuz5578]

Thanks

[@marvintheatre]

I would have liked to see one with no fertilizer.

[@808drummerpercussionist9]

Just Subed. I use wal mart blue grocery bag. I use organic, anything from sky, land and sea.

[@Walts-Travel]

#tomatoes #gardening #Gardener #FYI #DIY #vegetables #veggies #backyard #urban #fertilizer #greenthumb

[@Rubbe87]

What about soil?

[@808drummerpercussionist9]

Dr. Earth is good, cost? Keeps me away.

[@mohamedhanief9425]

Good afternoon 😊 to you and your family. May this post/comment you all in the best of health and strength Inshallah Ameen Ameen/God Willing. Ism

[@sitindogmas]

when living in Hawaii, do you go to the desert for a vacation lol

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

No I go to different countries or within the US I like the south or Montana for trout fishing. 👍

[@bowler8]

The NPK are all greatly different

[@DeadeyeJoe37]

Personally, I do the organic veggie fertilizer (Jobes) in the planting hole and on the top. I then use the miracle grow water soluble every week or so at half strength or less. Works great.... Until wilt killed them

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

If the leaves wilt and are yellow you may have a fungal wilt disease. You gotta clip all the diseased stems but if it's too late it may infect the soil and you got to get rid of it because it will spread of you plant another tomato. Usually it's from too much moisture which Manoa sometimes has. Im not sure though. I wish you luck.

[@SussyBacca]

@6:30 you say dont get water on the leaves because it causes many diseases for plants, however, it was actually raining at the time you did it, you said. How did you stop the rain? Also, are you sure plants evolved to get diseases when they are rained on? That doesnt make a lot of sense

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Rain is fine. It's when you water with a water hose it's best to put the water hose directly into the soil or pot and not touch the leaves. Google it and you can read about it. It spreads spores and other things and causes my plants to die from wilt or blight.

[@JMcKey21]

High nitrogen will benefit the plant, but nitrogen doesn't translate to more fruit and in fact will limit the number of harvestable vegetables.

[@leslieboyette4368]

think you have leaf miners

[@diyoregonnowtexas9202]

The Dr. Earth is Vegan, but didn't you put blood and bone meal in the soil? I would like to see a test with the fertilizers in potting soil without using the slaughterhouse fertilizers. I'm not sure which one affects the growth.

[@paulbraga4460]

good experiment. one thing - that heavy mulch of wood chips, those are wood chips, right? they surely cause competition for your plants. were it more decomposed, not much of a problem. the microbes will attempt to decompose these and microbes need nitrogen to do attack the carbon. equation is simple, if there is too much nitrogen, microbes will be hungry for carbon. if there is too much carbon, microbes will need nitrogen - competing with the plants. this is the carbon to nitrogen ratio - ideally no more than 25 carbon to 1 nitrogen (imagine composting - too much carbon like wood shavings or chips means a long time to decompose if you don't add more greens which gives you the nitrogen)...blessings

[@francismaliakal3530]

You should use Air pots to have air prunning

[@loron99]

Thx

[@Custerd1]

Looks like Dr. Earth is all leaves and not as much fruit. Probably too much nitrogen.

[@tarantulaking4886]

I'm pretty sure that Doctor Earth's fertilizer is not vegan It has bone meal in it.

[@abdulqadeerkhan2110]

Prune prune prune. Stake stake stake. Sun sun sun. Water moderately water moderately wat... Fertilize fert.. fert... Unlike me, I Overfertilise, I over-water.😂

[@davidrobinson5365]

Worm dirt with a few worms 🪱

[@sendit1158]

To me it looks like none are doing that great, they are skinny and not bushy at all, just use cow manure and homemade compost is all you need for super healthy plants

[@brandonmonroe7050]

You can not beat organic