Tomato Fertilizer 4-18-38 | Chelated Micronutrients | Hydroponics, Soil & Foliar Application
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- $ 24.99
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- $ 24.99
- Regular Price
- $ 24.99
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Tomato Fertilizer 4-18-38
Elevate your tomato harvest with our premium water-soluble 4-18-38 formula. This high-potassium fertilizer is specifically designed for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, and other nightshade crops, delivering exceptional fruit development and disease resistance. Enriched with essential micronutrients and completely heavy metal-free, it's the professional choice for both soil and hydroponic growing.
โก Quick Dose Guide
Select your reservoir size for instant hydroponic dosing (blooming/fruiting stage). Always add Cal-Mag Plus first!
WHY GROWERS CHOOSE THIS FORMULA
โ๏ธ Perfect 4-18-38 Ratio
Engineered for fruiting nightshades. Low Nitrogen (4%) prevents excessive foliage, while very high Potassium (38%) drives exceptional fruit size, flavor, and shelf life.
๐ก๏ธ 100% Chelated Micros
Iron, Manganese, Zinc, and Copper are protected by EDTA chelation. This prevents nutrient lockout in high pH water, ensuring your plants absorb what you feed them.
๐ซ Heavy Metal Free
We test every batch to ensure zero heavy metals. When you're growing food for your family or customers, purity is not optional.
๐ Instant Solubility
Dissolves fully in cold water with no residue. Safe for drip lines, Dutch buckets, NFT systems, and foliar sprayers without clogging.
NPK FORMULA EXPLAINED
4-18-38: The Perfect Balance for Nightshade Crops
Our formula is specifically engineered for the unique nutritional demands of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other fruiting nightshades.
Where Each Nutrient Works
- Prevents excessive foliage
- Directs energy to fruit
- Maintains green leaves
- Abundant flowering
- Strong root system
- Better fruit set
- Bigger fruit: Cell expansion
- Better flavor: Sugar transport
- Disease resistance: Strong cell walls
N - 4%
Nitrogen
Low nitrogen prevents excessive foliage growth while maintaining healthy green leaves for photosynthesis.
P - 18%
Phosphorus
High phosphorus promotes robust root development, abundant flowering, and strong fruit set.
K - 38%
Potassium
Very high potassium enhances fruit quality, size, flavor, shelf life, and disease resistance.
SCIENCE BEHIND THE FORMULA
Understanding why our 4-18-38 formula works so well for tomatoes and nightshade crops requires looking at the unique nutritional needs of these plants throughout their growth cycle.
Why Low Nitrogen (4%)?
Tomatoes need minimal nitrogen during fruiting to prevent excessive vegetative growth. Too much nitrogen leads to lush foliage but poor fruit production and delayed ripening. Our 4% nitrogen content provides just enough for healthy leaves without compromising fruit development.
Why High Phosphorus (18%)?
During flowering and early fruit development, tomatoes have elevated phosphorus demands:
- Energy transfer (ATP production)
- Root development and nutrient uptake
- Flower formation and fruit set
- Seed development within the fruit
Why Very High Potassium (38%)?
Tomatoes are exceptionally heavy potassium feeders, especially during fruit development:
- Regulates water movement and turgor pressure
- Activates over 60 enzyme systems
- Enhances photosynthesis and sugar transport
- Strengthens cell walls for disease resistance
- Improves fruit quality, size, and shelf life
- Reduces blossom end rot incidence
๐ Bigger Tomatoes
Potassium regulates water uptake and cell expansion for larger, juicier tomatoes
๐ก๏ธ Disease Resistance
Strengthens cell walls to resist early blight, late blight, and bacterial infections
๐ฏ Better Flavor
Increases sugar content and improves acid balance for superior taste
๐ฆ Longer Shelf Life
Enhances firmness and reduces post-harvest deterioration
๐ง Drought Tolerance
Improves stomatal function and water use efficiency
๐ก๏ธ Stress Resistance
Helps plants cope with temperature extremes and environmental stress
SUITABLE FOR ALL NIGHTSHADE CROPS
Our formula is specifically optimized for nightshade family plants and similar crops:
Tomato Varieties
- Beefsteak: Large slicing tomatoes
- Cherry: Sweet snacking size
- Roma: Paste and sauce tomatoes
- Heirloom: Heritage varieties
- Grape: Oblong snacking type
Other Nightshades
- Bell Peppers: Sweet varieties
- Hot Peppers: Jalapeรฑo, habanero, etc.
- Eggplants: All varieties
- Potatoes: All types
- Tomatillos: Salsa verde staple
Specialty Crops
- Goji Berries: Superfood shrubs
- Ground Cherries: Sweet husked fruit
- Chayote: Tropical squash
- Pepino: Melon pear
- Tamarillo: Tree tomato
DERIVED FROM
APPLICATION RATES & DIRECTIONS
Below are recommended rates for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, and other nightshade crops.
๐ฑ Soil Application
| Application Method | Rate | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Plant | 3g (ยฝ tsp) | Every 4-6 weeks | Apply around base |
| Per 100 sq ft | 0.75-1.25 lbs | Every 4-6 weeks | Broadcast evenly |
| Per Acre | 24-38 lbs | Every 4-6 weeks | Through irrigation |
๐ Foliar Application
| Application Method | Rate | Frequency | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Plant | 1g in water | Every 1-2 weeks | Spray to runoff |
| Per 100 sq ft | 100-150g/gallon | Every 1-2 weeks | Early morning best |
๐ง Hydroponic Application (per 100 gallons)
Hydroponic Nutrient Flow
| Growth Stage | 4-18-38 Amount | Cal-Mag Plus | pH Range | EC/PPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetative Growth | 0.5 lbs | 500ml-1L | 6.4-6.6 | 1200 PPM |
| Blooming/Fruiting | 0.5 lbs | 1L | 6.1-6.3 | 1700 PPM |
๐ Optimal Feeding Through Growth Stages
- 10-gallon system = ~6 plants
- 25-gallon system = ~16 plants
- 50-gallon system = ~32 plants
- 100-gallon system = ~63 plants
TOMATO FERTILIZER CALCULATOR
COMPLETE MICRONUTRIENT PROFILE
Our formula includes all essential micronutrients in optimal ratios for nightshade crops:
| Micronutrient | Form | Function in Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) 0.10% | Chelated EDTA | Chlorophyll synthesis, enzyme function |
| Manganese (Mn) 0.05% | Chelated EDTA | Photosynthesis, disease resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) 0.05% | Chelated EDTA | Auxin production, fruit set |
| Copper (Cu) 0.05% | Chelated EDTA | Lignin synthesis, disease resistance |
| Boron (B) 0.02% | Boric Acid | Cell wall formation, pollination |
| Molybdenum (Mo) 0.0005% | Sodium Molybdate | Nitrogen fixation, enzyme function |
Chelated Iron (Fe) - 0.10%
Chelated Manganese (Mn) - 0.05%
Chelated Zinc (Zn) - 0.05%
Chelated Copper (Cu) - 0.05%
Boron (B) - 0.02%
Molybdenum (Mo) - 0.0005%
GROW WITH CONFIDENCE
Below are important details on quality, returns, sustainability, and charitable efforts that set our product apart.
Product Quality Guaranteed
- All our products are manufactured in California, USA
- Tested by independent third-party laboratories for quality assurance
- Registered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
- Rigorously tested to ensure products are free from heavy metals
Hassle-Free Return Policy
If you're not completely satisfied, we offer a 90-day money-back guarantee. Simply return the unused portion in its original packaging, and we'll process a full refund.
Environmental Responsibility
We're committed to sustainable practices, including:
- Biodegradable packaging materials
- Precise nutrient formulation to reduce runoff
- Support for eco-friendly farming methods
- Ongoing research into organic solutions
Charitable Contributions
1% of all profits go to the Greenway Foundation, focused on improving educational opportunities for children. Learn more at greenway.foundation.
DOCUMENTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q Why is the Potassium (38%) so high?
Tomatoes are extreme potassium feeders, especially during fruiting. Potassium activates over 60 enzyme systems and directly controls:
- Fruit size and weight
- Sugar content and flavor
- Disease resistance (blight, bacterial spot)
- Shelf life after harvest
The 38% potassium ensures your plants never run short during the critical fruiting period.
Q What pH should I maintain for tomatoes?
Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic conditions. pH affects nutrient availability significantly.
Q How do I prevent blossom end rot?
Blossom end rot is caused by calcium deficiency in developing fruit. While our formula doesn't contain calcium, it helps prevent BER by:
- Low nitrogen prevents excessive foliage that competes for calcium
- High potassium improves water regulation for better calcium transport
- Balanced micronutrients enhance overall plant health
For complete protection: Supplement with Cal-Mag Plus, especially during fruiting. Consistent watering is also critical โ irregular watering prevents calcium uptake even when it's available.
Q Can I use this for all tomato and pepper varieties?
Yes! This formula is ideal for all nightshade family plants:
- Tomatoes: All varieties (beefsteak, cherry, roma, heirloom)
- Peppers: Bell, hot, sweet โ all types
- Eggplants: Standard and Asian varieties
- Potatoes: All types
Pro tip: Larger plants like beefsteak tomatoes may need 25% more fertilizer than cherry tomatoes.
Q How do I store the powder?
Our fertilizer is highly hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture from the air). To prevent clumping:
- Keep the bag sealed tight between uses
- Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
- If it clumps, simply break it up โ the efficacy is not affected
PAIRS WELL WITH
Cal-Mag Plus 2-0-0
Prevents blossom end rot and calcium deficiencies. Critical for tomato fruit development.
AlternativeCalcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0
Another calcium source option. Provides small nitrogen boost during vegetative stage.
BoostEpsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
Magnesium for chlorophyll production. Enhances green color and photosynthesis.
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