Without fertilizer the plants develop a small stature plant that can hold only a few fruit. Irregular fertilizing causes plants to stop vigorous growth, remain small and put energy into developing fruit on the limited number of blossoms available. Too much fertilizer produces weak growth and may last too late into the summer. After mid-season, the plant frame is established for the year and fertilizing should be stopped. The second secret to good early growth is regular watering.
Water is necessary to carry the fertilizer within the plant and for normal growth.
Interruptions in watering cause the plant to wilt, growth to be interrupted and may cause the plant to concentrate on fruit development instead of vegetative growth. Again, remember that more is not better. An excessive amount of water produces a plant response very similar to letting plants go dry. While fertilizing and watering don't require great amounts of time, regular care now will reward you with larger plants and bigger vegetable harvests later. Photograph courtesy of Judy Sedbrook.