During the tearing of tomato leaves and topping the bushes, we get a large amount of unnecessary shoots and leaves. We often do not know what to do with them, yet they are a good material for the preparation of natural slurries, extracts and decoctions, perfect for use in the garden. Seehow to make slurry from tomato leaves and shootsYou will prepare a great fertilizer and spray against pests!
Tomato leaf liquid manure
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The leaves and shoots of the tomato , containing a number of vitamins and minerals, can be turned into an excellent fertilizer for the tomatoes themselves.Thus, what you remove from the crop when you strip the leaves and top the tomato bushes back into the crop to feed the plants. Young shoots, fruits and leaves also contain Solanum steroid alkaloids, which are considered pathogen-fighting substances. Thanks to the content of alkaloidspreparations made of green parts of tomatoeseffectively repel plant pests.
The most popular eco-preparations that we can prepare ourselves include liquid manure, infusions, extracts and decoctions of tomato leaves and shoots. Remember thatonly fresh and he althy plant fragments can be usedTomato leaves and shoots with symptoms should be removed.
Cut tomato leaves should be used
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Tomato leaf slurry
Put1 kg of fresh tomato leaves and shoots into a plastic, stoneware or wooden container and pour 10 liters of water We put it in a shady and quiet place. Fermentation usually takes about 2-4 weeks and takes place under aerobic conditions, so the container must not be closed. However, it is worth covering it with gauze to prevent the ingress of dirt or insects while maintaining air circulation. It is advisable to mix the slurry every few days. Adding 2 tablespoons of bas alt flour or dolomite will help to reduce unpleasant odors.
Preparation of slurry from tomato leaves
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Tomato leaf slurry is ready to usewhen no more foam accumulates on the surface. This proves the end of the fermentation process. We use it to fertilize tomatoes every 7-14 days, after diluting them with water in a ratio of 1: 10.
Good to knowIf you did not have too many green parts after removing the tomato leaves or topping the bushes, you can use a different liquid manure recipe.Use only 150 g of leaves and shoots and pour 10 liters of water over them. Manure prepared in this way will not require dilution before watering the plants.
Tomato leaf infusion
Put 2 handfuls of tomato shoots and leaves into the containerand pour 2 liters of hot water . After 2 hours, strain it and use it to scare off cabbage cabbage. We spray cruciferous vegetables several times during the insect departure period.
Tomato decoction
Put1 kg of fresh tomato herb in a pot and pour 10 liters of cold waterLeave for 12-24 hours, then simmer for 0.5 hours. After 2 hours, the cooled down broth is ready for use. We use it by diluting with water in a ratio of 1: 3. We spray vegetables and fruit trees and shrubs to scare away aphids, spider mites, leaf beetle and white-tailed caterpillars, cruciferous moths, ants and fleas.
Tomato leaf and shoot extract
150 g of tomato leaves and shoots pour 10 liters of cold waterand leave for several hours. The extract shall be usable for a maximum of one day. After this time, it starts to ferment and its properties change.
Spray the extract without dilution on the cropsto combat agriculture, cabbage beetle, coniferous pods, aphids and spider mites. Spraying is carried out several times, preventively and during the period when insects are out.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
