You’re doing it right!
I have to break the news to my tomato & pepper plants today that they’re getting a haircut prior to planting later this weekend. Yes, I spend a lot of time by myself on the farm with only the dogs, mule, birds and plants to talk to, LOL!
When I plant, I add a handful (about a cup, total) of bone meal mixed with crushed egg shells that I’ve saved all winter, to the planting hole. (Cukes, Zukes, and Eggplant benefit from this, too!) Then, I let them do their thing, making sure they have adequate water, and I don’t fertilize again until they start to set fruit. Then, I use a liquid fertilizer called AlgoFlash - also known as AlgoPlus, new packaging and formula changes - and really it depends upon their performance in the growing season (hot, cooler, dry wet, etc.) on whether I fertilize them again.
So, those are my ‘secret weapons’ for growing great tomatoes and peppers. :)
3rd day of 80-95 degree weather here in MA - and another 2 days predicted! Watering and thunderstorms..