I love Tomato-tone, but Garden-tone, Holly-tone - they are very close. Not real easy to find, but a couple of places I know sell 20 pound bags for less than $13 - more than enough for 400 square feet. I would also pick up a couple bags of Bone Meal to mix with the TT. Add some before/when planting then side-dress after the plants have been in the ground for three weeks-month.

Mike

I have used the "Tones" too, and agree. They are great fertilizers. However, if you have a soil test, you can choose with far more confidence. Why pay for a complete fertilizer if all you need is nitrogen? I too try to use only organic fertilizers and there is very little specific info on using them on vegetables. I add lots of composted manures and home made compost to my soil, but also need to add additional nitrogen. This year, I used blood meal, and added it per the package directions. So far, my garden looks great. I used Cottonseed meal last year and was not particularly happy with it, but because it was sold at a feed and seed store, there were no directions, so I may not have used the right amount.

This year I am conducting a side-by-side test in two adjacent raised beds--one fertilized according to the Mittleider regime (heavy on industrial chemical fertilizers) and one only organic. Same plants. The reason behind the experiment has to do with a recent seminar given by a Mittleider proponent locally. I should perhaps add that I am a chemist.

At this juncture I see no difference in the result except that the Mittleider regime demands weekly additions of fertilizer (quite a nuisance) while the organic regime I am testing is basically an add-once method.

I should add that my soil is essentially fine blow sand. I've tried to amend it over the years and I use compost, peat, animal manure, etc., but it's still pretty sterile at this point. Those items mainly help to build some structure but they quickly disappear into the bowels of the earth. In fact, you don't even have to dig them in. They just disappear. The fertilizer, however, really makes a difference.

The organic mixture I am using comes from here:

http://westsidegardener.com/howto/fertilizer.html

This fellow lives in a maritime climate similar to (but probably even cooler) than mine.

Anyway, it's working for me so far after several years of rather lackluster yields.

Another Tone fan. Around here they're available at local nurseries and even Lowe's.

Forget to give you a link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Espoma organic fertilizers

Tried compost tea?

Or even as such - maybe spread some mulched-up leaves and grass clippings over the area. It will help to keep the water content in the soil - so you won't have to water as much.

As the rainfall leaches through the grass clippings and leaves, it provides free - and organic - fertilizer to your plants.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden Blog

Stepping back, different crops have different needs. One fert isn't going to meet every need of every plant. Plus, one figgers that the soil is pretty good there if an established garden. Nonetheless, the package will have the application rate for you so you can solve the 'how much' puzzle.

Dan