Tomato tops, usually thrown into the compost, have amazing potential.
This green "garbage" can become an effective organic fertilizer and natural plant protection product.
Gardeners are discovering new ways to use tomato scraps.
Making tomato tops infusion
The process of preparing an infusion from tomato tops is simple and accessible to every gardener.
To make it, you will need fresh or dried tomato tops, a large container, and water. The tops are chopped and filled with water in a ratio of 1:3.
The mixture is infused for 3-5 days, stirring occasionally. The finished infusion has a characteristic smell and a dark green color.
Before use, the infusion should be filtered and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. This solution becomes safe for plants and ready for use.
It is important to note that it is better to use the infusion fresh, since it loses its beneficial properties when stored for a long time.
Using the infusion to feed plants
Tomato tops infusion is an excellent source of nutrients for various crops.
It is rich in nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and microelements that are essential for plants to grow healthy and bear fruit abundantly.
The infusion is especially effective for feeding vegetable crops. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and cucumbers respond well to such feeding, increasing green mass and yield.
Root crops such as carrots, beets and radishes also benefit from this organic fertilizer.
Flower crops are not left aside either. Roses, petunias, marigolds and other flowers become brighter and more lush after regular watering with tomato tops infusion.
Indoor plants can also be fed with this product, but in a weaker concentration.
Plant protection from pests
In addition to nutritional properties, tomato tops infusion has protective functions. The alkaloids it contains repel many pests, such as aphids, whiteflies and spider mites.
Regularly spraying plants with this solution helps prevent the appearance of unwanted insects.
The infusion is especially effective for protecting cabbage from caterpillars and cruciferous flea beetles. Treating cabbage leaves with a solution of tomato tops creates a protective layer that repels pests and prevents cabbage butterflies from laying eggs.
Rules and recommendations for use
When using tomato tops infusion, you should follow several important rules. First, do not overuse fertilizing - it is enough to do it once every 10-14 days.
Over-application can result in soil over-saturation with nitrogen.
Secondly, it is better to water with infusion in the evening or in cloudy weather to avoid leaf burns.
Before using the infusion, it is recommended to carry out a test spray on a small area of the plant and observe the reaction for 24 hours.
It is important to remember that tomato tops infusion is an additional means of plant care. It does not replace the main fertilizers and does not solve all problems with pests, but it is an excellent natural assistant in organic farming.
