As a gardener, selecting the proper fertilizer is crucial for ensuring the health and productivity of your plants. Two of the most popular organic fertilizers are Garden Tone and Tomato Tone. While both provide essential nutrients, there are some key differences to consider when deciding which is best for your garden. In this article, we’ll compare Garden Tone vs Tomato Tone to help you make an informed decision.
An Overview of Garden Tone and Tomato Tone Fertilizers
Garden Tone and Tomato Tone are both organic fertilizers produced by Espoma Company. They contain a blend of natural ingredients like bone meal, feather meal, greensand, and humic acids that provide essential macro and micronutrients.
However, there are some notable differences:
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Garden Tone is an all-purpose fertilizer ideal for vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and more. It has a relatively balanced NPK ratio like 4-3-4.
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Tomato Tone is a specialty fertilizer formulated specifically for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other fruiting vegetables. It has higher potassium levels, with a typical NPK of 3-4-6.
Now let’s explore each fertilizer in more detail.
Garden Tone as a Versatile Plant Food
Here are some of the key benefits of Garden Tone:
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Provides balanced feeding for diverse plants The moderate NPK supports overall growth
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Great for transplants, established plantings, and containers. Feeds for 2 months.
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Contains slow-release nitrogen from organic sources like bone and feather meal. Encourages steady growth.
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Supports root growth, foliage, blooms, and fruits. Gives plants complete nutrition.
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Can be mixed into soil or used as a top dressing Handles various gardening methods
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Suitable for all soil types, unlike synthetic fertilizers that need ideal conditions.
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Safe for people, pets, and the environment. OMRI listed for organic use. Won’t burn plants.
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Available in 2.5 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb bags. Very affordable compared to other organic options.
The balanced nutrients and versatility make Garden Tone a great all-purpose choice for diverse gardens.
Tomato Tone Tailored for Fruiting Crops
Tomato Tone offers these specialized benefits:
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NPK ratio with extra potassium is ideal for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other fruiting crops.
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Potassium promotes flower production and improves fruit quality and yield
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Contains calcium, magnesium and sulfur that tomatoes need. Provides complete nutrition.
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Builds strong disease resistance for excellent tomato health. Reduces issues like blossom end rot.
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Ingredients like kelp meal, earthworm castings, humic acids, and bat guano offer extra benefits.
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Use as a starter fertilizer when transplanting and side dress during growth. Feeds up to 2 months.
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Suitable for containers, raised beds, hydroponics and in-ground planting.
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OMRI listed for organic use. Won’t harm soil biology or structure.
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Enhances flavor and sweetness of homegrown tomatoes and produce. Boosts Brix levels.
While Tomato Tone costs more than Garden Tone, it maximizes tomato taste and productivity.
Comparing the NPK Ratios
The NPK ratios show the nutrient content.
Garden Tone typically has a balanced ratio like:
- 4-3-4
- 3-4-4
This provides moderate nitrogen for foliage, phosphorus for roots, and potassium for overall health.
Tomato Tone has more potassium:
- 3-4-6
- 3-4-7
The extra potassium stimulates more flowers and fruits while improving flavor. The calcium and magnesium also support growth.
So Garden Tone offers balanced feeding, while Tomato Tone is optimized for robust, flavorful tomato crops.
Using Garden Tone on Tomatoes
Although Tomato Tone is specially formulated for tomatoes and fruiting vegetables, you can still use Garden Tone.
Garden Tone provides the essential NPK and micronutrients tomatoes need. You’ll get flowers and fruits, though potentially slightly lower yields than Tomato Tone.
For best tomato results, use Tomato Tone if possible. But in a pinch, Garden Tone will work well. It’s organic and tomato-safe.
Choosing Fertilizer for Organic Gardening
A major benefit of both Garden Tone and Tomato Tone is that they are ideal organic fertilizers.
Organic gardening uses only natural, sustainable techniques without synthetic chemicals, GMOs, or unnatural additives.
Garden Tone and Tomato Tone align perfectly with organic principles:
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Derived from natural plant and mineral sources like bone meal, alfalfa meal, greensand, kelp meal, and earthworm castings.
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Avoid potentially toxic synthetic chemicals that can disrupt soil life.
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Safe for people, pets, beneficial insects, and the environment.
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Improve soil structure, microbial activity, and nutrients over time.
For the best organic tomato garden or flower beds, choose these over synthetic fertilizers.
Impacts on Flavor of Homegrown Produce
Besides yields and nutrition, flavor is a top priority for home gardeners. We want delicious homegrown tomatoes, peppers, carrots and more!
Garden Tone contributes to overall vigor, allowing full flavor potential. The balanced nutrients support natural sugars and taste.
Tomato Tone, with extra potassium and micronutrients, is especially beneficial for boosting tomato and fruit flavor. It can increase Brix levels and sweetness.
For tastier homegrown produce, fertilize with Garden Tone or Tomato Tone as needed.
Application Guidelines
Follow these tips for best results with Garden Tone or Tomato Tone:
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Use recommended dosage per square footage, containers, or number of plants. Over-fertilization causes problems.
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Incorporate into soil before planting or top dress around established plants. Gently scratch into surface.
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Water thoroughly after applying to move nutrients into root zone. Avoid leaf contact.
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Reapply every 4-6 weeks during the growing season for steady feeding.
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Can mix into potting soil for containers. Or use liquid fertilizer solution.
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Avoid using Tomato Tone in drip irrigation systems as some nutrients can clog.
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Wear gloves and wash hands after use. Don’t inhale dust.
With proper application techniques, these fertilizers will give great results in your garden!
Choosing Between Garden Tone vs Tomato Tone
Now that we’ve thoroughly compared these two fertilizers, which one is the winner?
For tomato gardens and other fruiting crops, Tomato Tone is the ideal choice.
The specialized NPK ratio and ingredients like calcium mean bigger, better yields and sweeter tasting tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other fruits.
Garden Tone is perfect as an all-purpose fertilizer for diverse gardens with flowers, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and more. It provides balanced nutrition.
Whichever you choose, Garden Tone and Tomato Tone are excellent organic fertilizers that will promote plant health, fruits and flowers in your garden!
What’s In Garden Fertilizer?
Fertilizers are a blend of nutrients for plants. You probably know that your body needs specific nutrients to be healthy. You need nutrients to grow, replace old or cells, heal, fight off disease, digest food and so much more. Plants are the same way. They need a constant supply of nutrients to stay healthy. Plants will use their roots to pull nutrients out of the soil. Unless the soil has a way of replenishing the nutrients that the plants have pulled out, the soil will eventually become depleted of nutrients. When this happens, your plants will develop toxicities. If you’ve ever had vegetable plants with yellow leaves or dropped blooms and fruit, it could be from a lack of nutrients.
Garden fertilizers can be broad or they can be specific. They can be sourced with organic materials or synthetic ones. So how do you know which fertilizer is best to use?
You’ll want to use a fertilizer that provides the nutrients that your specific plants will need. The front of the fertilizer bag will give you a big clue as to whether a fertilizer blend is right for your plants or not. Plants have 16 nutrients that they need to be healthy. These nutrients can be found in fertilizers. The three most important nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. When you look at the front of a fertilizer container, you’ll see three numbers, separated with hyphens.
Fertilizer bags have numbers on the front. These numbers let you know what percent of the fertilizer is nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The first number is nitrogen (N), the second represents phosphorus (P) and the third represents potassium (K). These numbers are commonly referred to as the NPK value. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for most plants because it’s needed in large amounts. Nitrogen helps to promote leaf growth especially, although it’s involved with numerous other parts of plant growth. Phosphorus is important for healthy flower production and root development. Potassium helps in many functions of plants, including fighting off disease or pests and staying healthy during drought.
Choosing the Right Garden Fertilizer
Now that you know a little bit about fertilizers and the nutrients in them, how do you choose a good fertilizer for your plants? Start by thinking about the type of plants that you have.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do my plants have any deficiencies that I can identify? (Signs of deficiencies include slow growth, lost fruit or blooms, discolored leaves, etc.)
- Will my plants produce blooms?
- Are you growing leafy vegetables?
- Do your vegetable plants produce both blooms and fruit?
- Are you growing root vegetables?
- Do your flowers have a bulb?
- Are you growing organic?
It can be tempting to buy a general fertilizer, like Miracle Gro, and apply it to all of your plants. You’ll get the best results though if you buy a few tailored fertilizers to use with different plants rather than a broad spectrum fertilizer. If you’re growing organic, you’ll have just as many options for organic fertilizers as you will synthetic fertilizers. Simply choose a fertilizer that is organic and well-suited for your plants.
Espoma Garden-Tone & Tomato-Tone
FAQ
Can I use Garden-tone on tomatoes?
When preparing gardens for vegetables or tomatoes apply 3.5 lbs. of Garden-tone per 50 square feet and work into the top 4 to 5 inches of soil. When possible, organic matter such as compost, humus, or peat moss should be mixed into the top 4 to 5 inches of soil.
What is Garden-tone good for?
… ON: Use Garden-tone organic fertilizer for leafy vegetables like lettuce, kale & cabbage as well as warm season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash & melons
Can I use Garden-tone on my lawn?
It is recommended for use on flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs and lawns. I use Plant-Tone on the bushes throughout the yard. Plant-Tone is also enhanced with Bio-tone microbes. It is a long-lasting, slow release organic fertilizer that won’t burn plants.
Is tomato tone high in nitrogen?
Tomato-tone provides all the macro-nutrients your plants need to produce bumper crops all season long, with a guaranteed analysis of 3% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and 6% potassium, plus an infusion of Bio-tone® beneficial microbes that help your plants absorb nutrients and fight off disease.
What is the difference between Garden tone and tomato tone?
Garden Tone and Tomato Tone are both organic fertilizers made by Espoma Company. They contain a blend of natural ingredients like bone meal, feather meal, greensand, and humic acids. These provide macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with various micronutrients. However, there are some distinct differences:
What is the difference between Garden-tone and tomato-tone?
Garden-tone is suitable for vegetables and herbs, while Tomato-tone is beneficial for all varieties of tomato plants but can also be used for peppers and squash. Tomato-tone contains higher levels of calcium, potash, and sulphur. Let’s take a closer look at exactly how garden-tone and tomato tone stack up against each other.
Does tomato tone really work?
But in a pinch, Tomato Tone will provide helpful nutrients. Proper application is key to getting the most out of your Garden Tone or Tomato Tone. Here are some tips: Follow label instructions for correct dosage per square footage, container size, or number of plants.
Can I use garden tone on tomato plants?
you get a tiny addition of calcium on the tomato which can be added a different way. as Im planting. then add the garden tone (tbsp per plant)evey 3 weeks to each plant. If you have high quality compost added each year, there really isn’t a reason to fertilize this much. Can I use garden tone on trees?
Is tomato tone organic?
It’s all organic and safe for tomatoes. One of the great things about both Garden Tone and Tomato Tone is they are ideal organic fertilizers. Organic gardening means growing plants without synthetic chemicals, genetically modified organisms, or other unnatural products. Only organic, sustainable techniques are used.
What is tomato tone fertilizer?
Tomato Tone is a specialty fertilizer formulated specifically for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other fruiting vegetables. It has higher potassium levels, with a typical NPK of 3-4-6. Now let’s take a more in-depth look at each fertilizer. Here are some key things to know about Garden Tone: