This page documents the recommended fertilizer plan for all crops in the 2026 garden. Optimized for Sanford, NC (Zone 7b/8a), high humidity, and heavy summer rain. Designed using last year’s results + crop-specific nutrient needs.

Fertilizer types used in the 2026 garden:

• Organic All-Purpose Granular (4-4-4, 5-5-5, or similar)
• Blood Meal (high nitrogen)
• Bone Meal (high phosphorus)
• Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed Tomato (bi-weekly in season)
• Compost / Mulch Top-Ups
• Optional: Epsom Salt (magnesium boost for peppers & tomatoes)

Your 2025 mix already worked well — this guide fine-tunes it for each crop.

Needs: Medium nitrogen early → low nitrogen later, high potassium for fruiting.

At Planting

• 1 cup organic all-purpose fertilizer
• 1–2 tbsp bone meal
• 1 tbsp blood meal
• Mix lightly into planting hole

After Plants Reach 12–18“

• STOP nitrogen-heavy fertilizers
• Use LiquaFeed Tomato every 2 weeks
• Optional: 1 tbsp Epsom salt (once a month)

Notes

• Too much nitrogen reduces fruiting
• LiquaFeed provides perfect mid-season P & K
• Compost top-dress helps maintain moisture

Needs: Low nitrogen, high phosphorus & potassium, lots of magnesium.

At Planting

• 1 cup organic 4-4-4 or 4-6-3
• 2 tbsp bone meal
• No blood meal

During Season

• LiquaFeed Tomato every 2 weeks
• 1 tbsp Epsom salt per plant monthly

Notes

• Overfeeding nitrogen = giant plants, tiny peppers
• Epsom salt dramatically improves pepper size and wall thickness

Needs: High nitrogen early, very low phosphorus, frequent feedings.

At Planting (Feb 20 – Mar 15)

• Light compost in the bed
• No bone meal

During Season

• Blood meal OR nitrogen fertilizer every 3 weeks
• Stop nitrogen by mid-May
• Keep moist but not waterlogged

Notes

• This feeding schedule produces larger bulbs
• Onions do not want the tomato/pepper fertilizer routine

Needs: Medium nitrogen early, high potassium during fruiting.

At Planting

• ½–1 cup organic 4-4-4
• 1 tbsp bone meal
• 1 tbsp blood meal

During Season

• LiquaFeed Tomato every 2 weeks
• Compost top-dress every 3–4 weeks

Notes

• Great fit for Diva, Long Green Improved, Calypso
• Avoid overwatering — mulch helps prevent rot

Needs: Very low nitrogen — beans create their own.

At Planting

• Compost only
• Optional: 1 tbsp bone meal when flowering starts

During Season

• No blood meal
• No nitrogen fertilizers
• No LiquaFeed Tomato

Notes

• Nitrogen = giant leaves, zero beans
• Kentucky Wonder thrives with minimal feeding

Needs: Almost identical to beans (cool-season, low nitrogen).

At Planting (Feb–Mar)

• Compost
• Optional light bone meal

During Season

• No nitrogen fertilizers
• No LiquaFeed Tomato

Notes

• Peas shut down in heat — feed lightly and harvest early

Needs: Steady feeding, strong potassium supply.

At Planting

• 1 cup organic fertilizer
• 1 tbsp bone meal
• Optional: 1 tbsp kelp meal

During Season

• LiquaFeed Tomato every 2 weeks
• 1 cup compost around each plant monthly

Notes

• Mulch reduces powdery mildew pressure
• High K → higher yields & fewer blossom-end issues

This plan is designed to:

• Improve yields
• Control excessive plant growth
• Prevent blossom-end rot
• Boost fruit production
• Match each crop’s nutrient needs
• Work with Sanford, NC’s high humidity & heavy summer rain

Update this page each season with what worked best.