Homemade Fertilizer Recipe for Bigger and Tastier Tomatoes by Monty Don

Tomatoes are popular among home gardeners but require high nutrient levels for optimal growth. Monty Don, a gardening expert from BBC’s Gardener’s World, offers a simple homemade fertilizer recipe to enhance tomato growth using comfrey, a common garden plant rich in essential nutrients like potassium and calcium.

Ingredients:
– Comfrey leaves
– Large waterproof bucket with a lid
– Large stone
– Plastic bottles (e.g., old milk bottles)
– Watering can

Method:
1. Pick comfrey leaves, strip away the flowering stems, and chop them into small pieces.
2. Place the chopped leaves in a waterproof bucket.
3. Pour water over the leaves and cover the container with a heavy lid.
4. Let it sit for three weeks until the mixture forms a brown liquid.
5. Decant the liquid into plastic bottles and store them in a cool, dark place.
6. When ready to use, dilute the solution with water at a 1:10 ratio and apply it to your tomato plants using a watering can.

This method provides an eco-friendly fertilizer and boosts tomato yields, although comfrey’s pungent smell during decomposition should be noted.

Deterring Slugs in the Garden

Alexandra Campbell from The Middlesized Garden suggests practical tips for keeping slugs away from gardens. Watering plants in the morning can reduce slug activity as they thrive in wet conditions. Additionally, planting slug-resistant flowers and herbs like lavender, hydrangeas, and daylilies can serve as a natural deterrent.

Another method involves using beer traps:
– Fill a small container with beer and bury it flush with the ground.
– Slugs will be attracted to the beer and subsequently drown.

These techniques offer effective, chemical-free solutions for protecting plants from slug damage during the summer months.