I put one of these (due to cost, $5.27, as I am trying to keep costs down) in most plants, but they are for flowering plants. What should i add to balance out the ratio?
I put one of these (due to cost, $5.27, as I am trying to keep costs down) in most plants, but they are for flowering plants. What should i add to balance out the ratio?
For flowering, NPK of 10-10-4 so it's low on K. Potassium is the most rare of the NPK.
https://todayshomeowner.com/lawn-garden/guides/organic-sources-of-potassium-for-your-lawn-or-garden/
https://homegardenfirst.com/organic-sources-of-potassium-for-plants-organic-potassium-sources/
Banana peels is the only cheap source. NPK of everything website seems to be overloaded this weekend but here's what I found quickly. From; Myths about banana peel
"0.6-0.4-11.5
The NPK value for banana skins is 0.6-0.4-11.5. But this is the value for dried banana skins since all of the above values are calculated on a dry weight basis.
The NPK of fresh banana peels is 1/5 of that, making an NPK of 0.1-0.1-2.3."
Web search for "NPK banana peels". I try to find a few or several sources and go with the most common or average results; https://duckduckgo.com/?q=npk+banana+peels&ia=web
This site lists the NPK ratios for every stage of growth for tomatoes:
https://gardeningwithallie.com/npk-for-tomatoes/
I never get that technical, but I always add crushed egg shells and about a 1/2 cup of bone meal to each planting hole (same for my peppers, zukes and cukes) which gets them off to a good start and helps prevent Blossom End Rot.
Higher potassium helps when they are wanting to flower and set fruit.
I don’t remember if you have room to compost, but Compost Tea is cheap (like almost FREE) and good for Every Growing Thing. :)
Seriously? You don’t have to over-think it. I just fill a 5-gallon bucket half way with compost, add water, put it in a shady spot, stir it when I remember too, and dipper it out for my plants, applying it at the base of the plant.
Full instructions here, for those so inclined:
https://www.treehugger.com/how-to-make-compost-tea-5207373
Daniel; Buy some Epsom salts and when your tomatoes are about 8” high sprinkle 1 tablespoon around them. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is needed to create Chlorophyll needed for your plant to grow. This should speed up growth. Do it again at 16 inches 4 weeks after that. See the link that Diana provided for fertilizer. You could also get some digested kelp that might speed up growth.
Spacing. for maximum yield plant your tomatoes about 24” apart. If closer they are more likely to suffer from fungus and wilt and die early. Good luck and God bless!
Interesting and cheap irrigation methods. https://morningchores.com/drip-irrigation-system/