Question
i am in northern ohio, in the middle of one of the hottest summers on record!
i had a couple of plants in pots that were going great guns til the heat just overwhelmed them...
along with probably too much water on my part. i drive a truck and am gone for 6-7 days in a row and try to make up for it by heavy watering before i leave. now, the plants are threatening
to go to seed and i have been told to try tomato food. i bought miracle grow but find i have no spray bottle like i thought i did. do i put this stuff right on the plants? in the soil around the stalks? mix with water and pour on?
h e l p me save my tomatoes!
ps they are best boy hybrids -- supposedly something new. thankx

Answer
Brian, I also live near Cleveland, and you're correct, this has been a very hot and dry summer.  We finally got some storms these past two weeks, but until then, the weather took its toil on the plants.

Due to the conditions, container plants have been especially stressed this summer.  When stressed, they will bolt and go to seed.  You can add a water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro for tomatoes, but this product should only be applied once every 14 days.

Never add the dry powder directly to the soil.  It is concentrated and will burn the roots of the plants.
Simply mix one tablespoon of the concentrated powder with one gallon of water.  Either use a sprayer, or pour the diluted solution directly around the base of the plant.  These products are systemic, meaning they can be applied to the foliage.  But the key is to get the solution directly to the roots.  

Also, mulch around the plant with shredded leaves or straw to help retain moisture while you're traveling.  This will help delay the soil from drying out.

I hope this solves your problem.  Good luck, and write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike