I don'think timing of fertilizing is that critical at all.( smile)

Contrary to the belief that tomatoes are heavy feeders, they aren't.

I fertilize only twice each season and will do a third, by spraying, if the season has been wet.

I fertilize a couple of weeks after the plants are out and settled in. Then I do it again when small fruits are forming.

Then, as I said above, a third time if the season has been wet.

I use granular the first two times and spray the third time, if needed, b'c by that time it's hard to get near the base of the plant.

The Espoma product for tomatoes is organic and pretty good.

Carolyn

Some recommend a complete soil analysis to determine fertilization needs. The agricultural extension service will do the test in my county for a fee of $7.00 per sample.

You can check out Earl's Hole Method:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tomato/msg0115023725174.html

Earl used Espoma Tomato-Tone.

He says it can be found at Walmart. I know most good Farm and Home stores stock it.

Directions on the bag of Tomato Tone suggest two tabelspoons for each plant worked into the ground at planting time and two more as a side dressing in fourteen days.

Some like 5-10-10 granular fertilizer.

I have heard too much is worse than not enough when it comes to fertilizer.

Good luck.

John