Tomato plants need a lot of nutrients to produce a good crop, and if they don’t get enough, it will show in the fruit. But gardeners have shared a simple way to give them a boost
Tomatoes are notorious for their hefty appetite for nutrients to produce bountiful crops, but alas, even the richest potting compost isn’t quite up to snuff for these hungry plants.
Without a proper feast of nutrients, tomato plants soon show signs of hunger, with the underwhelming fruit giving the game away. They’re desperate for fertilisers chock-full of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to thrive.
For those with green fingers looking to save a penny or two, concocting a homemade fertiliser can be a wallet-friendly alternative to pricey shop-bought organic options, without skimping on the bloom. In other related news, Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment.
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In search of organic solutions for her tomato troubles, one woman reached out to the Gardening UK Facebook group in pursuit of some sage advice, reports the Express. Emma Wood asked the group: “I’ve been using this tomato feed from Sainsbury’s for a while, but it’s run out now. Is there an organic alternative I can use instead?”.
Banana peels quickly emerged as a stellar recommendation, brimming with potassium, perfect for plumping up tomatoes. Jane Wilson advised: “Banana peels contain potassium, which helps tomatoes to grow more huge and juicy fruit. To use it on your plant either add it to compost first or cut it up and bury it around the plant.”
Echoing this sentiment, Lisa Marsden confirmed: “Banana peels will fertilise the plant and prevent any diseases from developing.” Rosalyn Fair chimed in with her own experience: “When I don’t have any of my Tomorite left I often use banana peels. I heard that it’s the best as it helps tomato plants to produce bigger fruit.”
Green-fingered Glenn Fields chimed in: “Even though banana peels don’t contain nitrogen, I still feel like it does the best job when fertilising the plant. I used them last year and my tomatoes had never grown so big. I’m hoping for the same outcome this year.”
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Meanwhile, Sara Dunster shared her method: “I like to add a single banana peel to each planting hole before planting the tomatoes. Then in summer I just add one to two peels around the top of the plant’s soil around the plant.”
Banana skins have emerged as the go-to trick for clever gardeners, bursting with potassium levels that help tomato plants transport nutrients and water between cells. This doesn’t just boost your harvest but delivers fruit with incredible flavour too.
Many gardening fans swear by these kitchen scraps as top-notch fertiliser, especially because they’re nitrogen-free. Whilst nitrogen supports plant development, too much creates leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.
To boost your tomatoes with a potassium hit using banana peels, simply dig them in close by for a gradual release of nutrients. Best practice is introducing this natural treat at planting time, then adding another helping once fruit formation begins.