Tomatoes, also known as “red tomatoes,” are a common fruit and vegetable rich in various nutrients such as vitamin C, which are highly beneficial to human health. If you are cultivating tomatoes, fertilization is necessary to ensure the plants yield full and healthy fruits. In light of this, experts have shared exclusive formulas for making homemade fertilizers to supply the essential nutrients required for tomatoes.
According to a report by the UK’s “Daily Express,” while tomatoes are relatively easy to grow, they require adequate nutrients to produce healthy fruits, a characteristic that sets them apart from other fruits and vegetables.
At different stages of tomato plant growth, fertilization is essential to aid in healthy growth, flowering, fruiting, and resistance to diseases. Signs of nutrient deficiency in tomato plants become evident once they start fruiting.
Tomato plants require fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For those who prefer not to spend money on commercial organic fertilizers, gardening expert Susan Patterson offers an exclusive recipe to make cost-effective yet equally effective fertilizers.
Patterson mentioned that she spent over 30 years continuously refining this formula through trial and error. Despite the variety of homemade fertilizers available, she found this formula to be the most effective.
To start, place 0.5 gallons (1.9 liters) of high-quality compost in a bucket. This “high-quality compost” refers to compost made from food and garden waste.
The high-quality compost should be thoroughly mixed to ensure all substances are blended together without any large clumps or pieces.
Next, add two cups of vermicompost, two cups of powdered eggshells, and two cups of rabbit or hamster dung into the bucket (vermicompost and rabbit dung are available online).
Then, pour in a cup of wood ash to increase phosphorus and potassium levels. To boost nitrogen content, add a cup of coffee grounds.
Although it may sound peculiar, Patterson also adds small amounts of pet or human hair to enhance nutrient content.
She explained, “Hair will decompose, adding nitrogen and keratin – a type of protein necessary for tomatoes’ rapid growth.”
Finally, let the mixture sit in the bucket for about a month, and the compost inside can be used for the tomatoes. Remember, the bucket must be sealable.
Previously reported by Dajiyuan, tomatoes have various health benefits such as clearing heat, improving poor appetite, and more. However, there are several precautions to consider when consuming raw tomatoes, including not eating on an empty stomach, unsuitability for individuals with cold constitutions, and avoiding unripe green tomatoes. This is because green tomatoes contain a significant amount of solanine, which carries some toxicity and may cause gastrointestinal discomfort when consumed.