Urban Farms Texas Tomato Food
 

Raybo's latest fertilizer experiment inspired me to try out some different fertilizers this year. One fertilizer that caught my attention is "Texas Tomato Food" made by Urban Farms (3.8 - 3.1 - 7.0):

[URL]http://theurbanfarm.com/tomatomagic.html[/URL]


One of the main reasons that I am interested in this fertilizer is that it is water soluble. I use cages around my tomatoes and mulch with a thick layer of rice straw so working a fertilizer like Tomato Tone into the soil is a huge pain. Rather than go through the trouble of pulling back the rice straw on 50 plants, I usually end up just sprinkling the Tomato Tone on top of the straw and trying to water it in. However, I sometimes question how much of the fertilizer ends up making it down to the roots since my soil can become fairly compact.

For this reason, I generally prefer water soluble fertilizers because I find them much easier to apply. It seems there aren't alot of water soluble options out there (besides Miracle Gro) so I am excited about trying this stuff out.

I'll let yall know how it works out for me. In the meantime, I wanted to see if any of you have tried this stuff before...

great stuff beeen using it for a year, the ingredients are top notch, buy it by the gallon

Just from the description it looks like a good product.

As for TomatoTone, yes the package directions suggest scratching something like a tablespoon into the soil near the plant once per week, which is just impossible if you've got mulch, cages, and soaker hoses in the way. So instead of that, I'd mix 12 tablespoons (3/4 cup) into the square foot of soil around where the transplant was going to go. Over time, the roots grow out and down and reach additional fertilizer. After 2 1/2 months, I'd start supplementing with weekly foliar feedings of Seaweed and Fish emulsion.

I do most of my fertilizing and side dressing with a hose end sprayer also due to heavy mulching of my plants. I am going to give this stuff a try and see how it compares to other fertilizers I apply this way. I have high hopes for it after reading the site descriptions of the product.

Looks good. After reading this thread and looking at the product, I'm thinking about ordering some for the same reason (water-soluble). Thanks for posting.

I have used other liquid feeds in earthtainers that I found a hydroponic stores. They can really result in quick changes, depending on the formula, such as types that cause a lot of blooming...they really do! I will definitely try this one, thanks for pointing it out.

Have you seen a listing of other values of the product beyond NPK? There are several other components that some feel make a huge difference, example, the old tomato tone vs. the new one.

Dewayne mater

Hi.....my wife told me about this thread. On a boating forum that I go to sometimes, manufacturers are often part of the discussion, so without over-stepping the boundaries, I'll try to participate.

These are our products. We make them fresh every week. If I can answer any questions, I'll give it my best shot.

Can you post a listing of the components that has more detail than just the NPK values? For example, if there are other elements like Cobalt, Copper, iron, etc what are they? Also, where are they derived from? This may be on the packaging, but I haven't spotted it. Thanks.

Dewayne mater

urbanfarmer, you need to get some product into stores in the Rio Grande Valley.....please

[QUOTE=Urbanfarmer;336897]Hi.....my wife told me about this thread. On a boating forum that I go to sometimes, manufacturers are often part of the discussion, so without over-stepping the boundaries, I'll try to participate.

These are our products. We make them fresh every week. If I can answer any questions, I'll give it my best shot.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for joining the discussion!

I bought a gallon of the all purpose vegetable fertilizer and the tomato fertilizer last week (I found it at Buchanan's Native Plants in Houston). The main question I have right now is, how much of the mixed solution should I give to each tomato plant?

I saw on the label where it says you can apply it once or twice a week but couldn't find how much should be used each time. In case it makes a difference, my tomatoes are planted in the ground on raised rows.

Thanks!

[QUOTE=feldon30;336783]Just from the description it looks like a good product.

As for TomatoTone, yes the package directions suggest scratching something like a tablespoon into the soil near the plant once per week, which is just impossible if you've got mulch, cages, and soaker hoses in the way. So instead of that, I'd mix 12 tablespoons (3/4 cup) into the square foot of soil around where the transplant was going to go. Over time, the roots grow out and down and reach additional fertilizer. After 2 1/2 months, I'd start supplementing with weekly foliar feedings of Seaweed and Fish emulsion.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the suggestion!

My main concern with foliar feeding has been whether it interferes with the effectiveness of fungicides and insecticides. I usually apply daconil every 7-10 days to keep blight at bay as long as possible and, later in the season, I also end up applying insecticides every other week or so to keep the stink bugs away.

Can seaweed/fish emulsion be mixed with either daconil or neem oil? If i spray separately would the foliar feeding limit the effectiveness of the daconil (and vice versa, would daconil limit the effectiveness of the foliar feeding)?

[QUOTE=Dewayne mater;336810]I have used other liquid feeds in earthtainers that I found a hydroponic stores. They can really result in quick changes, depending on the formula, such as types that cause a lot of blooming...they really do! I will definitely try this one, thanks for pointing it out.

Have you seen a listing of other values of the product beyond NPK? There are several other components that some feel make a huge difference, example, the old tomato tone vs. the new one.

Dewayne mater[/QUOTE]

I don't have the bottles in front of me right now and I don't recall what all information was included on the label. Hopefully UrbanFarmer will be able to provide the info you're looking for. I'm interested to hear as well.

[QUOTE=Ricefarmer05;336923]
Can seaweed/fish emulsion be mixed with either daconil or neem oil? [/QUOTE]

Yes with the Neem oil adding them together ( should add 1 or 2 drops of a liquid organic soap to help the neem oil spread).
Don't know about daconil

[QUOTE=John3;336929]Yes with the Neem oil adding them together ( should add 1 or 2 drops of a liquid organic soap to help the neem oil spread).
Don't know about daconil[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I'll definitely give that a try.

Other than the statement (no more blossom end rot ) I don't see anything wrong.

I steer away from products that make claims about BER and blossom drop.
Just my opinion.
Worth

[QUOTE=Worth1;336936]Other than the statement (no more blossom end rot ) I don't see anything wrong.

I steer away from products that make claims about BER and blossom drop.
Just my opinion.
Worth[/QUOTE]

You might not have any more blossom end rot if you applied the product weekly with a hose end sprayer. From everything I have read blossom end rot is mainly caused by uneven watering. The additional dose of calcium supplied by the product might also help.

In nearly 40 years of gardening I have only experienced more than an occasional blossom end rot only twice. Both times were in the spring when we had a very dry spell and I didn't water regularly because I was too busy. Since I have been giving mine a little boost with a hose end sprayer just as they start blooming and again just as they start setting fruit I have not seen it at all.

Of course that means I'll have it this year.:P

Bill

So true I only had it in containers one year and knew nothing at that time what it was.

With poting soil you may not have the minerals you would in the ground.
That said this product would be fantastic.

I May get some when I run out of ladybug fertilizer. :yes:

Worth

[QUOTE=armac;336911]urbanfarmer, you need to get some product into stores in the Rio Grande Valley.....please[/QUOTE]

We're working on it. Believe me! Just sent an email to our distributor for that area to light a fire. Right now, Tractor Supply in Edinburgh. But call ahead. They might be sold out.

Worth - containers are definitely a different beast for BER! One time ever I had BER in the ground and that was when I didn't realize the watering system wasn't working and it had been a good while since my plants had any water in the heat of June.

On the other hand, with containers, avoiding BER is an ongoing task. Calcium nitrate in a liquid feed is very very good at reducing BER in containers. However, for me the most effective thing was shading the container roots. Seems they were heating up quite a bit from sun directly on the container and I believe that was inhibiting uptake of calcium or whatever it is they need to not have BER. Since I started these two things, BER is down to almost 0 in containers.

Dewayne mater

[QUOTE=armac;336911]urbanfarmer, you need to get some product into stores in the Rio Grande Valley.....please[/QUOTE]

El Pase Feed
1250 FM 495
Palm View, TX
956-581-0591

Beginning late next week. Give them a call.

Urbanfarmer,

Are there any retail outlets for your products in the Austin area?

[QUOTE=Algyros;337065]Urbanfarmer,

Are there any retail outlets for your products in the Austin area?[/QUOTE]

It's About Thyme
Red Barn
Tractor Supply-Georgetown, Taylor, Marble Falls
Possibly Barton Springs and Gardenville

I believe more, but I need to get an update from our distributor.

Definitely call first. Different stores carry different formulas and sizes.

Thank you for your interest.

Urbanfarmer, What's the shelf life of your products? Can opened or unopened containers be held over for use the next year with the same
level of effectiveness of all ingredients? Thanks, Darlene

What are the micros in your product? Can you give us some idea of that?

Gang,
I have the Veggie and TTF and Bioactive on hand as well for some 'tainer use this year. Here are label pics. Hopefully they are clear enough.

Anyone in San Antonio carry your liquid fert?

[QUOTE=JamesL;337221] Bioactive on hand .[/QUOTE]

JamesL that Bioactive looks good. Like that it has some crab shell mixed in it for - chitin.
I don't grow in containers - grow in raised beds. So don't know how it would be for containers.

Thanks for that info James.

Where can the product be purchased in Dallas/Forth Worth?

Dewayne Mater

[QUOTE=Dewayne mater;337245]Thanks for that info James.

Where can the product be purchased in Dallas/Forth Worth?

Dewayne Mater[/QUOTE]

We are not well represented in North Texas at this time. Likely next year. For now, only Tractor Supply in Mansfield, and then a few retailers a ways out. They only have TTF in quarts and 1/2 gallons.....and a limited supply at that.

w/o trying to promote, the best reference for our retailers is the dealer locator map on either of our websites.

[QUOTE=greyghost;337204]Urbanfarmer, What's the shelf life of your products? Can opened or unopened containers be held over for use the next year with the same
level of effectiveness of all ingredients? Thanks, Darlene[/QUOTE]

Some of the myco will lose potency over time. Myco effect is subtle. Differences between new and year-old nutrient aren't distinquishable to the eye.

The oldest nutrient we've used was 2 years, with the same results.

One caveat: this nutrient likes to be room temp or slightly above. If it gets cold and/or sits for long periods there will be some sediment. Put the bottle in a warm water bath or hot greenhouse to 90 degrees and shake for several minutes and it will come back and be perfectly usable.

All that said, we always prefer fresh, and recommend only buying enough nutrient for each season. We make fresh tanks every week, and keep next to no inventory. It's all bottled on the spot. When big orders come in, it's a mad house.

Best regards.....