mjhollingshead's Full Review: 1 - 1/2no. Miracle Gro/Toma
Scotts Miracle Gro Tomato Plant Food 18-18-21 is the fertilizer I use when preparing my spring planting.
As a rule when I was planting a large, in ground garden, I worked bully boy, manure, into the soil prior to planting.
Today with just Husband and I at home, and everyone in the county raising enough garden to feed themselves and many more, my own gardening is now confined mostly to pots on the patio. I do have some large pots for planting squash, and tomatoes and onions. Gone are the days when I planted a garden for canning and eating from all during summer into fall.
Whether planting tomatoes in garden bed or in container I tend to place two plants in one spot, and turn the plants so that a portion of the stem between the root ball and the first leaves is also covered by soil. That stem area will root providing the growing plants more footing.
Today I use a combination of planting medium and barn debris: read that hay and dry, flakey whinny pooh for filling the planting containers. To prepare the containers I put medium mixture into the container in the morning and water it well.
At dusk using a garden trowel, I dig holes in the dampened medium, place the two cultivars together in the hole, replace medium and pat firm. Water until water runs from the drain hole. Check daily and keep moist, if weather becomes quite warm; daily watering is likely to be needed.
When the tomato plants have been growing about two to three weeks and show growth; I tend to begin adding a little Miracle Gro to insure plant vigor, good leaf growth and sturdy root development.
Miracle Gro Tomato Plant Food 18-18-21 is packed with a measuring scoop to make use of the product easier. NOTE: 18-18-21 : 18% - Total Nitrogen, 18% - Available Phosphate, 21% - Soluble Potash. I like that the product is double bagged in plastic in a paperboard box. I take the plastic box out and put it into are cycled cat sand bucket with a lid that snaps tight.
Because my tomato plants are all container grown; I do not try to use the dispensers for attaching to hose and spraying a good sized area. I do use a small hand held spray bottle for spraying Miracle Gro on the leaves. Plants, having smooth leaves, tend to take in moisture through leaves, as well as, through roots. I spray the leaves and pour some of the product on the soil at the base of the plant.
Amount to use: 1 measure Miracle Gro dry product per 1 - 1.5 gallons of water. Because my potting medium is about half whinny pooh I use 1 measure to 1.5 gallons water in a plastic bucket earmarked only for this purpose. I use a recycled cat sand container with a lid.
Because I am asthmatic I use caution when preparing the Miracle Gro and all dust type products. Prolonged, or heavy inhalation of powders/dust may cause irritation and coughing. Breathing dust may intensify asthma reaction for asthmatics.
As with all garden type products Miracle Gro should be stored out of reach of children and small critters. I use the recycled cat sand buckets with securely snap on lids for storage. =========================
As the tomato plants begin to flower I turn to a non or lesser amount nitrogen product for continued feeding to insure good fruit production. The first number on fertilizer containers denotes the nitrogen count.
I like the fact that the dry Scotts Miracle Gro Tomato Plant Food mix is a vivid pink color, easy to see any spills if they should occur.
I have good results with Miracle Gro, happy to recommend.
=========================== Reviewed by Molly's Reviews molly martin =========================== Product Details and Shipping Information from Amazon Miracle-Gro Tomato Plant Food 1.5 lb. #100042
Product Description Miracle-Gro, 1.5 LB, 18-18-21 Tomato Food, Special Formula Plus Magnesium, Apply Every 7 To 14 Days.
Product Details Product Dimensions: 1.9 pounds Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. ASIN: B000P7345G
$3.39 In Stock. Ships from and sold by http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/at-a-glance.html?ie=UTF8&seller=A2YLYLTN75J8LR.
special formula plus magnesium designed for the home garden where limited space requires staking plants. apply every 7-14 days for continuous balanced...More at UnbeatableSale, Inc.
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