Every 3 months is fine for that stuff you got. it's slow-release so continual feeding is achieved.

But.... ferts get washed out in containers, so using a water soluble all purpose fert is recommended in conjunction with the slow release stuff. Go get some Miracle-Gro All Purpose(18-6-12) or Foliage Pro(9-3-6) and feed your plants at HALF doses every week.

Kevin

This is excellent advice. Thank you!

I used Espoma Garden Tone this year one time. My plants took off and haven't stopped yet (even my squash, cucumbers and beans in gardens I hadn't opened up until this year). Last year I used MG for tomatoes weekly with lackluster results. I can't speak for everyone else but for me and the soil conditions I have the Garden Tone is a winner.

depends if in the ground or containers.. for me (i grow in containers) it's best to use good soil with slow release fertilizer.. i prefer organic such as fish pellets or garden tone.

this will feed the transplants about one-two months, then i start using water soluble fertilizer at half strength weekly.. adding more slow release fertilizer to a container with a large plant already in it just doesn't work well and won't be available to the plant until much later after it breaks down into the soil..

Rob and Stevie: Gardentone is great, but it's organic(which is great). BUT... going organic in containers is very difficult unless it's in a very large container. It's just very difficult to maintain proper conditions(temps, moisture levels, maintaining a high level of microbial activity) in smallish containers for organics to be effective. I'm not saying it CAN'T be done...it's just difficult to maintain those perfect conditions. Not to mention that most organic meals, especially bone, are slow release and won't be available for months.

For me, I do organics in my whiskey barrels and in-ground. Anything smaller and it's MG shake n' feed or osmocote(slow release) and an all-purpose water soluble, 3-1-2 ratio half-doses weekly. I use MG AP but i have to add some of smokemaster's witch's brew and epsom salts for the Ca and Mg, respectively. Foliage Pro is a good water soluble that contains Ca and Mg.

YMMV

Kevin

When I plant seedlings, in ground or pots, I put in a tablespoon of Osmocote mixed into the soil. When they get 12", I start with MG Tomato food, full strength, and sprinkle some Tomato Tone around the drip line. MG every two weeks, and TT every month. Having spray emitters that reach the drip line of the plant ensures that they get fed when the emitter comes on...

Kevin, Of course you are correct. I should have specified I am gardening in ground and not in pots. Thanks for the clarification.

I grow in containers and now swear by my program. I mix a half cup of 12-12-12 or similar into the soil every spring before planting. I now use only the water soluable fertilizers afterward, like MG Tomato formula or other brands. If I were growing in the ground I would use the same. Here is why:

I read an unbiased article early this spring that simply stated (with diagnostic evidence) that plants capture only 15% of the nutrients from liquid fertilizers when applied to the soil above the roots. I assume it would be similar for solid fertilizers within the soil. However plants gain about 80% of the nutrients when applied to the foliage, hence the term 'foliar' feeding.

This spring I began consistently (for the first time) foliar feeding at 1/2 the instructed dilution rate once every week. I have been blown away by the growth and production from my tomatoes and peppers. Everything is much earlier comparatively.

Not once, and haven't had any issues. Indoor potting mix was MG imbued with ferts.