Espoma Bio-Tone Starter Plus 4-3-3 Organic Starter Plant Food 25 lb Bag — Endo & Ecto Mycorrhizae, Calcium for Transplants

Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus is a ready-to-use, natural 4-3-3 starter fertilizer enhanced with both endo and ecto mycorrhizae to support healthy root establishment when planting or transplanting.

When you plant new trees, shrubs, vegetables or ornamentals, the soil around young roots matters. Bio-Tone Starter Plus supplies balanced nutrients, calcium, and beneficial mycorrhizal fungi to help roots access water and nutrients more effectively. This product is formulated for organic gardening and arrives in a convenient, ready-to-use 25 lb bag so you can work quickly at planting time without measuring or pre-mixing.

How does Bio-Tone Starter Plus help at planting time?

Bio-Tone Starter Plus is applied directly into the planting hole or mixed with backfill to position nutrients and mycorrhizae where roots will grow. The low nitrogen, balanced N-P-K ratio supports steady root growth without forcing excessive top growth that can stress newly planted specimens. The included endo and ecto mycorrhizae promote root colonization, improving nutrient and moisture uptake in early development.

• Apply directly into root zone when backfilling planting holes
• 4-3-3 formula supplies balanced starter nutrients
• Contains both endo and ecto mycorrhizae for a wider range of plant compatibility
• Includes 5% calcium to reduce transplant shock risk

What plants and situations is it best suited for?

Use Bio-Tone Starter Plus with virtually any newly planted landscape or garden plant — trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables, and container-grown stock all benefit. It’s particularly helpful for bare-root, ball-and-burlap, and container transplants that must establish new root systems quickly. Because it’s OMRI-listed, it fits into organic production and home-organic maintenance plans.

• Trees and shrubs at planting or transplanting
• Vegetable transplants and planting beds
• Perennials and annuals moved into new locations
• Organic gardens and certified production systems

How do I apply Bio-Tone Starter Plus correctly?

Use the product as-is — no pre-mixing required. Work the granules into the backfill soil so the material rests within the intended root zone, then water thoroughly after planting to activate the mycorrhizae and distribute nutrients. Follow label rates for small versus large plants to avoid over-application and to place nutrients where roots will encounter them first.

• Place product in backfill soil or mix into planting hole
• Water after planting to integrate with surrounding soil
• Follow bag instructions for application rates by plant size
• Ready-to-use granules — no dilution or blending needed

What makes this an organic choice and what’s inside the bag?

Bio-Tone Starter Plus is formulated from natural and organic ingredients and is registered as an Organic Input Material, meeting requirements for organic production. The fertilizer analysis is 4-3-3 with 5% calcium and it is enhanced with both endo and ecto mycorrhizal fungi plus Espoma’s proprietary bio-tone components. The product is manufactured in the USA by a long-standing natural organics company.

• OMRI-listed and suitable for organic gardening
• 4-3-3 N-P-K with 5% calcium for root-focused nutrition
• Both endo and ecto mycorrhizae for broad plant compatibility
• Made in the USA by Espoma, established since 1929

Who is this for? Home gardeners, landscapers, and organic growers who need a straightforward starter fertilizer for new plantings will appreciate Bio-Tone Starter Plus. It suits anyone planting trees, shrubs, vegetables or ornamentals who wants an organic, ready-to-use product that places nutrients and beneficial fungi directly where new roots can access them. Choose this if you want an easy-to-apply, OMRI-listed starter that supports early root development without synthetic additives.

Ingredients

organic ingredients