Soggy tomatoes how to feed

jhouse · June 20, 2019

we've had record rainfall in Ohio -- my garden is soggy!

It's been a little over 3 weeks since planting, I used 1/3 Happy Frog potting soil, 1/3 of a compost called "Moonure" (with cow manure) and 1/3 native soil. (My sister's advice from a few years back).

Thought soggy, my plants are looking pretty healthy, mulched with straw -- I'm thinking it may be time to feed, and I've got liquid Texas Tomato Food, but how to feed with them so wet? Should I feed with a dry fertilizer, or leave them be? They have a few blossoms but no fruit set yet --

I will be going out today to get a soil sample kit, I know I should've done that earlier this year but better late than never. I do know we have a lot of clay here!

thanks!

Jan

June 20, 2019

Jan, I’m grappling with the same issue.
Here in N. Florida the weather has settled into the daily torrential downpour with about 1000% humidity and I’m way overdue for a TTF feed. I’m growing in a 5-1-1 mix so feeding is critical. I’m holding out for just 1 day without rain, which we may get tomorrow; then I’ll go ahead.
You’ve got some leeway as your mix is richer to start with.

jhouse · June 20, 2019

Sorry to hear that PlainJane! This year is one for the record books. . .

slugworth · June 20, 2019

I have those fertilizer spikes meant for house plants time release but way to many plants
to try that.3/4 inch of rain since last night and supposed to rain again tomorrow.

PureHarvest · June 21, 2019

I imagine you are only applying a few quarts of finished solution to each plant?
Not sure what the bottle says, but should not be a big deal.
In other words, you just need the water to be the carrier of the fert you mix in according to the rate you want to apply to each plant. I doubt you would be using, say, a gallon per plant.

Labradors2 · June 21, 2019

Why not just use some granular fert (like Tomato Tone) that you just scratch into the soil? I would be loath to use any more water than absolutely necessary with all the rain...….

Linda

b54red · June 21, 2019

What I do when they absolutely need fertilizer when it is too wet is give them a dose using TTF at 1 oz to the gallon or even up to 2 oz to the gallon but the soil needs to be really wet for that strength and you have to remember to cut back the total amount you use.

Bill

maxjohnson · June 21, 2019

Mulch.

June 20, 2019	#1
jhouse Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: sw ohio Posts: 153	Soggy tomatoes how to feed we've had record rainfall in Ohio -- my garden is soggy! It's been a little over 3 weeks since planting, I used 1/3 Happy Frog potting soil, 1/3 of a compost called "Moonure" (with cow manure) and 1/3 native soil. (My sister's advice from a few years back). Thought soggy, my plants are looking pretty healthy, mulched with straw -- I'm thinking it may be time to feed, and I've got liquid Texas Tomato Food, but how to feed with them so wet? Should I feed with a dry fertilizer, or leave them be? They have a few blossoms but no fruit set yet -- I will be going out today to get a soil sample kit, I know I should've done that earlier this year but better late than never. I do know we have a lot of clay here! thanks! Jan

June 20, 2019	#2
PlainJane Guest Posts: n/a	Jan, I’m grappling with the same issue. Here in N. Florida the weather has settled into the daily torrential downpour with about 1000% humidity and I’m way overdue for a TTF feed. I’m growing in a 5-1-1 mix so feeding is critical. I’m holding out for just 1 day without rain, which we may get tomorrow; then I’ll go ahead. You’ve got some leeway as your mix is richer to start with.

June 20, 2019	#4
slugworth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: connecticut,usa Posts: 1,150	I have those fertilizer spikes meant for house plants time release but way to many plants to try that.3/4 inch of rain since last night and supposed to rain again tomorrow.

June 21, 2019	#5
PureHarvest Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mid-Atlantic right on the line of Zone 7a and 7b Posts: 1,369	I imagine you are only applying a few quarts of finished solution to each plant? Not sure what the bottle says, but should not be a big deal. In other words, you just need the water to be the carrier of the fert you mix in according to the rate you want to apply to each plant. I doubt you would be using, say, a gallon per plant.

June 21, 2019	#6
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,890	Why not just use some granular fert (like Tomato Tone) that you just scratch into the soil? I would be loath to use any more water than absolutely necessary with all the rain...…. Linda

June 21, 2019	#7
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	What I do when they absolutely need fertilizer when it is too wet is give them a dose using TTF at 1 oz to the gallon or even up to 2 oz to the gallon but the soil needs to be really wet for that strength and you have to remember to cut back the total amount you use. Bill

June 21, 2019	#8
maxjohnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: OH 6a Posts: 592	Mulch.