Tomatoes are always a nice first fruit to have. Homegrown tomatoes are delicious, fresh, and juicy. They’re also among the easiest vegetables to grow, maintain, and harvest.
There are many tricks you can use to get the best crop each time you set up your tomato plant. Here are 8 things to put in a planting hole to have the best tomatoes.
1. Fish Heads
The idea that fish heads serve as an excellent fertilizer is not a myth. Once planted with tomato seeds, their decay releases nitrogen, potassium, many essential trace elements, calcium, and phosphorous.
The only setback is that creatures may get attracted to the scent and dig up your plants as a result. To avoid this, place the fish heads at least 1 foot deep or grind them up with water or milk to make an even stronger fertilizing solution.
2. Eggshells
Eggshells are rich in calcium. This is a necessary nutrient for plants to grow and will help to prevent blossom end rot. It’s easy to grind them up and drop the pieces into your planting hole before you add the seeds.
If you already planted your tomatoes, you can put the eggshells on the surface of the soil. Where ever they’re added will result in richer more nutritious soil.
It is also important not to do this too much because too much calcium can compete with other nutrients like magnesium and potassium which will cause a deficiency.
3. Coffee Grounds
After that steaming cup-a-Joe, you can consider purposing your coffee grounds towards the growth of your garden. Adding coffee grounds to your planting soil will create a source of slow-release nutrients for your plants.
This will serve as the necessary food over a period of time. The best time to add coffee grounds is when you’re transplanting your potted plant. The result will not only be an excellent source of nutrients but a great fertilizer and even a good source of mulch.
4. Bone Meal
A bone meal is steamed animal bones that have been ground to powder, said to be similar to a kelp meal. It’s enough to put a handful or a cupful into your planting soil. A bone meal is essential for blossoming and the quality of the resulting tomato.
This is because bone meal provides a necessary source of phosphorus. The tomato plant will be able to transfer energy from root to leaves, creating blossoms that will develop into tomatoes that are rich, juicy, and sweet.
5. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt can work wonders in growing your tomatoes. It’s important to put the Epsom salt beneath a layer of soil to ensure that it’s not directly touching the roots of the plant.
Tomatoes often suffer from a deficiency of magnesium, therefore, Epsom salt can create an enriching environment to ensure that your tomatoes are at their best. As a bonus, a solution of Epsom salt and water can be used to spray your tomato plants.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a hack that will grant you sweeter tomatoes, especially if you’re growing tomatoes in pots. Simply, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda around the base of your tomato plant.
As the baking soda absorbs into the soil and soaks into the plant, it will reduce the amount of acidity that causes the tomato to be tart. This hack will result in a tomato that is sweeter than tart/tangy.
7. Aspirin
Another hack that can be used to enhance your tomato crop is adding a couple of capsules of aspirin to the soil of your tomato plant. This hack will help to boost the immunity of your plant to ward off different diseases that may arise.
The salicylic acid found in aspirin will help to increase the yield. This hack will also work if you add aspirin to your compost or a sprayable solution.
8. Banana Peel
Banana peel is also an excellent source of phosphorous for your tomato plant. If you can’t immediately put them in the soil, you can freeze them until you’re ready.
Simply allow them to thaw and lay them beneath the tomato plant. As this slowly breaks down, the plant will absorb the sweetness and nutrients it offers. You can also use an entire overripe banana along with other peels and cuttings from your kitchen.
These methods can be used separately to aid the growth of your tomato plant. These elements will make them juicy, sweet, and as large as they can be.
They will also protect from size inhibiting diseases and diseases that cause different types of rot. These methods can be combined in different ways to produce different results.
Baked Balsamic Chicken
Try this juicy, garlicky baked balsamic chicken that marinates in balsamic vinegar, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.
Instructions
- Pound thick chicken breast with a mallet to ½ inch thickness throughout.
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and oregano, mix well.
- Put the chicken breast in a baking dish. Gently pour the marinade over it until evenly coated. Allow chicken to marinate for 10 minutes or longer.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
- Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken to test for doneness.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 414kcalTotal Fat: 19ggCarbohydrates: 6gg
