Application of potassium sulfate for tomatoes
In order to be proud of their harvest, gardeners know how important it is to use fertilizing for plants and fruit-bearing trees. Tomatoes are no exception, so they also need fertilizer. One of the best options is potassium sulfate for tomatoes. This substance does its job perfectly, providing tomatoes with everything they need for fruiting.
Application of potassium sulfate for tomatoes
General recommendations for use of the drug
In order for the product to be as effective as possible and help increase productivity and improve the quality of fruits, vegetable growers advise:
- start fertilizing at the stage of forcing seedlings;
- for tomatoes growing in greenhouse conditions, reduce the number of foliar feedings, and, on the contrary, increase in open ground conditions;
- apply fertilizer by the roots when watering plants; specimens growing outside need more moisture than greenhouse specimens (here it is not recommended to allow the soil to become waterlogged).
Potassium sulfate and its benefits for crops
This substance means potassium sulfate, which easily dissolves in water. It has a bitter-sour taste and a crystalline structure. Externally, potassium sulfate resembles an ordinary powder, but its properties allow us to appreciate this substance. With a sufficient amount of this fertilizer, tomatoes:
- grow and develop better;
- acquire a larger size;
- become juicier and get a more refined taste;
- protected from diseases and parasites;
- better withstand weather changes and disasters.
But the benefits of using potassium sulfate fertilizer for tomatoes are not limited to this. This substance also promotes uniform ripening of vegetables, helps to avoid the appearance of a dry border on the foliage, poor harvest, premature wilting of plants and many other problems that lead to a lack of potassium.
Features of fertilization
When carrying out fertilizing, it is recommended to focus on established schedules. It is important that at each stage of development, tomatoes receive the elements they need.
When planting, experts advise treating the seeds with nutrient solutions. They contain a complex of substances that stimulate the growth of tomatoes. You can use the products Kornevin, Guamat, Epin, Zircon. Beginning summer residents should know that potassium fertilizers are not suitable for soaking tomato seeds. They slow down the growth of young plants.
At the initial stages of development, tomatoes require nitrogenous substances. When they are supplied in sufficient quantities, high-quality green mass is formed. Nitrogen is also required at the stage of ovary formation.
Tomatoes need phosphorus for their root system to develop. After all, it is through the root that the maximum amount of nutrients enters the plant.
Potassium feeding for tomatoes is required for the formation of generative organs. Potassium fertilizers are allowed to be applied for the first time at the stage when the 3rd leaf of the seedlings has formed. This type of feeding is responsible for immunity. Plants become more resistant to various diseases. They are not so afraid of pests, short-term cold snaps and droughts.
Attention! Potassium fertilizers for tomatoes are required during the period of ovary formation.
Potassium must be present in sufficient quantities in plants until all the fruits are formed.
How to avoid excess potassium when fertilizing tomatoes
The use of potassium sulfate, despite its invaluable benefits, must be strictly according to the rules, otherwise the crop may suffer. Moreover, this applies not only to tomatoes - an excess of the substance will negatively affect potatoes, carrots and other crops. The main signs of excess potassium use are the following:
- interveinal chlorosis appears on the foliage of the plant, and the leaves themselves become thinner;
- the upper leaves turn brown and gradually die off;
- the lower leaves become wrinkled and dark spots form on them;
- the root system weakens and loses the ability to grow into the ground.
In order for tomatoes to produce a generous harvest, potassium sulfate must be used with caution, not forgetting about the dosage and frequency of use. As a rule, the calculation should be made based on the footage of the site. For each m², take no more than 20 grams. substances. This is how you can avoid overfertilizing your tomatoes.
The best complex mineral fertilizers for tomatoes
Today, the domestic market offers a large number of simple and complex mineral fertilizers.
Of the nitrogen fertilizers when cultivating tomatoes, the most commonly used are ammonium nitrate (it contains 34% nitrogen), ammonium sulfate, or ammonium sulfate (20.5-21.5) and urea, or urea (46% nitrogen). All ammonium fertilizers cause acidification of the soil, which adversely affects the growth of tomato and other vegetable crops. To neutralize 1 kg of ammonium sulfate applied, the same amount of lime from the soil is consumed.
Phosphorus fertilizers are simple powdered or granular superphosphate (14-19% phosphorus) and double granular superphosphate (45-50% phosphorus).
Potash fertilizers are used in the form of potassium salt (30-40% potassium), potassium chloride, or potassium chloride (52-60) and potassium sulfate, or potassium sulfate (45-50% potassium).
When potassium chloride is used in large doses, a high concentration of chlorine is created in the soil, which can damage the root system of the tomato, especially in greenhouse conditions. Potassium salt poses the same danger. Chlorine significantly worsens the taste of fruits.
Methods for applying potassium sulfate to tomatoes
For tomatoes, the use of potassium sulfate as a fertilizer can occur in various ways. First of all, dry. It is simply thrown into the soil when digging or into already plowed ground. This can be done both before planting and during the winter.
Another way is to fill the plants with fertilizer during watering. To do this, the required amount of the product is dissolved in water and applied under the root of the tomatoes. In this case, the concentration of the substance is usually quite high (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water) so that not only the root system, but also the entire plant receives the necessary nutrition.
There is also a 3rd method - foliar, in which potassium sulfate is applied by spraying fruits and leaves. It is quite effective and is not inferior to the first 2, but it has its own nuances. The fact is that the leaves, unlike the root, have a more fragile structure, so they are easy to burn and damage if the concentration is exceeded. That is why you need to dilute 2 g of potassium sulfate in 1 liter of water.
Apply fertilizer with caution
It should be noted that this drug is not dangerous for humans and does not lead to health problems, no matter how the tomatoes are processed. At the same time, excess potassium sulfate can cause allergic reactions or disorders of the digestive system, so the use of such fertilizer is good in moderation.
How to apply fertilizer correctly
Having decided on the method of using fertilizer, you need to take into account a number of nuances, which are also important when using potassium sulfate for tomatoes. First of all, you need to pay attention to the fact that fertilizing is best done at the stage of forcing seedlings. When tomatoes are planted, the importance of fertilizer increases, since it is during this period that active growth and development of plants begins. In this case, the conditions in which the tomatoes will be grown play a huge role. If we are talking about greenhouses, then the amount of fertilizing, especially foliar feeding, should be minimal, especially if there is high moisture. If you are planning to grow tomatoes outdoors, it is important to take into account weather conditions. For example, with a large amount of precipitation, fertilizing may be washed away by rain, and the plants themselves will begin to rot and become sick due to the development of pathogenic flora.
If you choose the root method of applying this substance, you should note that fertilization and watering are carried out simultaneously. In this case, the dosage of water should be different, depending on the place where the tomatoes are planted. In open ground, abundant watering is required, but in a greenhouse it is better not to over-moisten the soil.
Fertilizers for tomato seedlings
To get a rich harvest of tomatoes, you need to grow good seedlings. Tomato seedlings with a thick stem and the first brush, which is located at the bottom, are considered strong. If you sow the seeds in good soil, then there should be no problems with growing seedlings. Another thing is that if the soil is poor, then it is necessary to add nutrients.
When choosing fertilizer for tomato seedlings, it is important not to overdo it. For example, if you overfeed plants with nitrogen fertilizer, then young shoots and leaves will begin to grow quickly, and this already indicates that there will not be a good harvest.
Based on this, we can draw certain conclusions: if you have strong plants with lush green leaves, and the stem itself is purple, then you can feed the seedlings only once. The optimal time is 10 days before planting tomatoes in the ground.
In order to maintain balance and not oversaturate seedlings with useful substances, it is important to be able to consider the problem in time:
if tomatoes need nitrogen, the leaves of the plants will turn yellow and fall
It’s just important not to get confused; excessive watering and low temperatures can also affect plants; when tomatoes lack phosphorus, the plants turn purple; chlorosis or iron deficiency manifests itself as leaves turning pale.
Based on this, we can draw the following conclusions: there is no need to feed seedlings if they are strong and the above-described manifestations do not occur. Therefore, you should not overload the still immature seedlings with all kinds of fertilizing, so as not to cause harm. It’s another matter if the plants are forced to “live” in a cramped box and if the tomatoes are watered exclusively with sterile water. Then the plant simply has nowhere to take nutrients from. When the tomato seedlings are planted in special soil, this will be enough, and the main fertilizing can be done already when transplanting the tomatoes to a permanent place.
There are no clear instructions on when to fertilize a tomato, the frequency and what nutrient mixtures should be used. Each gardener must decide on the choice of fertilizer for tomatoes independently.
How to apply fertilizer without harming your own body
When caring for the yield of tomatoes, it is important to remember safety precautions when using potassium sulfate. Experienced gardeners know that it is important to avoid contact of this substance with the skin. For this reason, mandatory protective equipment will be required: gloves, a mask or respirator, and a special suit. When inhaling potassium sulfate fumes, allergic reactions as well as inflammatory processes may develop, which may result in disruption of lung function.
It is important to remember the timing of fertilizer application - they should be used no later than two weeks before harvesting tomatoes. Otherwise, potassium sulfate will not be absorbed so well as not to harm the human body.
Signs of sulfur deficiency in plants
Potassium sulfate as a fertilizer is used for tomatoes, grapes, flowers, and berry crops if there are clear signs of a deficiency of nutritional components. A lack of potassium nutrition and the element itself in the soil can be determined by:
- along the dry edge of the leaf plates;
- irregular shape of fruits;
- even earlier - by massively falling flowers and ovaries;
- poor pouring and ripening of vegetables and fruits.
Sulfur deficiency is visible on young leaves. Most often they are pale green. If there is a severe deficiency, they turn yellow and dry out. It all starts with necrotic spots. At this point, you can still help the plants and feed them with microelements or potassium sulfate, which contains sulfur.
The least sulfur is found in sandy soils, as well as in beds that were subject to excessive alkalization. With low organic content in the soil, crops will also experience a deficiency of sulfur compounds.
The lack of any macro or microelement affects the immunity of plants - they begin to get sick and are more often attacked by harmful insects.
Why use potassium supplements?
Potassium for tomatoes is a fertilizer that must be applied already at the seedling stage for:
- Growth and development of the root system, stems, leaves, ovaries.
- Rooting the plant after transplantation.
- Increasing the content of essential substances in fruits.
- Timely ripening.
- Protection against various bacterial diseases.
- Plants withstand variable weather conditions.
- Improved taste.
Note! If you do not use potassium for seedlings, the tomatoes will be sour.
Meaning
Required concentration in soil:
- promotes better development of leaves and shoots of the bush;
- reduces the rooting time of tomatoes after transplanting them into open ground;
- leads to an increase in dry components in fruits;
- affects the taste of the vegetable. It is potassium that adds sweetness to tomatoes. Its lack will cause the vegetable to be sour;
- will allow the plant to bear fruit on time;
- protects tomatoes from various diseases of bacterial and fungal origin;
- allows you to increase the plant’s protection against low temperature readings and other unfavorable conditions.
All this suggests that it is impossible to get a good harvest of tomatoes without potassium. It is recommended to enrich the soil with it every 15 days. Excessive concentration on a land plot is very rarely observed. At the same time, gardeners often encounter a lack of this nutritional component.
Potassium sulfate - fertilizer for tomatoes
Potassium deficiency in tomatoes can be diagnosed by the following external signs:
- if dry edges appear on the leaves. Moreover, over time, this color changes from light to dark. The leaf dries out from the tip, gradually spreading over its entire surface;
- ovaries form poorly on bushes;
- uneven ripening of fruits occurs;
- Unripe spots often appear on the stalk itself.
The shortage contributes to the cessation of normal plant growth, low fruiting of tomatoes, including poor preservation of the crop, not to mention the deterioration of the taste of vegetables.
Oddly enough, an excess of calcium in the soil can cause a lack of potassium. Because these components are antagonistic.
A good gardener should notice the problem in advance by the appearance of his plants. It is necessary to quickly compensate for the lack of potassium, using special fertilizers by spraying the entire bush or watering the tomatoes at the root.
Potassium sulfate is created mainly to saturate the soil with potassium. This microelement provides tomatoes with the following benefits:
- improves the growth of all parts of the plant - stems, roots, leaves, helps them develop properly;
- helps seedlings to take root faster and easier to transplant into the ground;
- enriches fruits with microelements beneficial for human health;
- ensures tomatoes ripen without delay;
- strengthens the immunity of the bushes, which gives them the strength to resist the penetration of bacteria;
- helps withstand temperature changes and other adverse conditions;
- makes the taste richer and brighter, helps fruits accumulate more sugar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSb6ApKJ8oU
However, an excess of any nutrients is also harmful. Fertilizer must be applied strictly following the dosage. The need for it is urgent if the following symptoms appear:
- a light border forms on the leaves, which turns brown over time;
- starting from the edges, the leaves dry out and die;
- the bush does not set fruit well;
- tomatoes ripen slowly or unevenly;
- the stalks have areas of unripe pulp.
The harvest from such bushes will not be stored well, will spoil faster, it will not be as tasty, and the plant itself will slow down its development.
Potassium deficiency
You should know and pay attention to the symptoms of potassium deficiency in tomatoes in order to take timely measures to prevent problems from occurring.
Clear signs of a lack of this compound in tomatoes are the following:
- Change of leaves - the appearance of dry edges, first light, then brown.
- Spread of leaf drying along the entire perimeter.
- Insufficient amount of ovary formation.
- Uneven ripening of vegetables.
- The presence of unripe spots on the fruit near the stalk.
The appearance of such signs indicates a lack of necessary microelements for plants and the need for potassium fertilizers.
Signs of potassium deficiency in tomatoes
The plant provides early warning of nutrient deficiencies, so gardeners can take action to correct deficiencies long before crop loss. The leaves react first:
- the leaves first darken;
- the edge of the sheet dries out, then the process spreads to the entire sheet plate;
- color changes from yellow to brown.
This is what a lack of potassium in tomatoes looks like.
If you ignore the change in the leaves, the deficiency can then be determined by the number of ovaries - there are few of them, the flowers are small, the existing fruits are dry in appearance. For a novice gardener, such mistakes are forgivable, since it is better to see once than to read a hundred times and not notice.
Due to metabolic disorders, the plant experiences dehydration of the fruit. When they begin to ripen, you can cut into a tomato and see the green, hard veins inside. This indicates a long-term potassium deficiency. Such a tomato will be tasteless, since the absorption of carbohydrates and sugars, which give sweetness to tomatoes, is impaired. With an excess of nitrogen, potassium inhibits the growth of the green parts of the plant, or rather, the bush will be large, but not stunted and sick.
At the final stage of ripening, the area around the stalk is yellow or green. This tomato will no longer ripen.
It is impossible to grow tomatoes without potassium fertilizers. Not only will there be few fruits, they will not be edible
How to use potassium for tomatoes
You must follow the instructions, which indicate the dosage and frequency of use, as well as the possible method of use:
- Dry. Fertilizer is thrown into the soil when digging or into already prepared soil.
- Dissolved in water, it is applied at the root of the plant when watering it.
- In the form of foliar feeding. This method is used by spraying and processing fruits and foliage.
Note! Root watering is recommended to be done in the evening.
To properly feed tomatoes, you need to do at least four root feedings:
- after transplanting seedlings into the garden;
- before flowering begins;
- during the formation of the first ovaries and flowering;
- during the period of fruit ripening.
It is necessary to feed tomatoes in a greenhouse more often, since the elements necessary for the plant are absorbed faster, which is due to high humidity and poor lighting.
Important! Foliar spraying of vegetables is carried out more often than root watering.
Application
Before starting work, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the recommended dosages for plants, which are contained in the instructions for the drug potassium monophosphate. In order for the consumption of dry fertilizer to be economical, it is necessary to prepare the working solution in strictly required quantities. The volume of the solution depends on the area where the crops are grown and the type of plants you are going to feed. The instructions indicate the average doses and instructions for preparing the solution, which are suitable for both most agricultural crops and domestic plants.
- Feeding seedlings. You need to dissolve 8-10 g of fertilizer in 10 liters of water at room temperature. Young plants are watered with the same solution after picking. This composition can be used for seedlings of indoor flowers and adult specimens - roses, begonias, geraniums, as well as for flowers that are grown in a garden flower garden. It is not advisable to use this product for orchids.
- For vegetable crops grown in open ground. In 10 liters of water you will need to dilute from 15 to 20 g of the drug. The working solution is suitable for use in the vineyard, for tomatoes, fertilizing winter wheat, for cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins and other garden crops.
- For berry and fruit crops. Up to 30 g of the drug is dissolved in 10 liters of water. A solution in this concentration is used to fertilize strawberries, used for grapes in the fall so that they overwinter better, as well as for fruit bushes and trees.
The use of potassium monophosphate has its own characteristics and depends on the growth phase of the plant.
- Feeding seedlings. It is performed when the first 2-3 leaves appear (cotyledon leaves are not taken into account). The drug is applied again 14 days after the sprouts are picked or placed in a permanent place for further growth in open ground conditions.
- Feeding tomatoes. Over the entire season, after planting them in open ground, plants are fed twice with an interval of 14 days between procedures. 2.5 liters of solution is poured onto each adult bush.
- Fertilizing cucumbers. Watering is carried out twice a season with 2.5 liters of solution for each plant. In addition, foliar feeding by spraying the leaves is allowed. If the ovaries of cucumbers take on deformed shapes, this indicates that the plant does not have enough potassium. In this case, spraying with the drug will help correct this situation. The emphasis should be on frequent spraying, while watering at the root will only promote the growth of the root system.
- Processing of root crops, including onions and garlic. Prepare a 0.2% solution of potassium monophosphate and water the plantings generously with this mixture twice a season.
- Fertilizing fruit bushes and trees. The soil surface is treated with a concentrated solution at the rate of 8-10 liters per square meter. On average, 20 liters of the composition are poured under a bush or tree. The procedures are carried out after the end of the flowering period, then after another 14 days, and the third time - in the second half of September. Such fertilizing significantly increases yields and prepares plantings for the winter.
- Fertilizing flower crops. A 0.1% solution is sufficient for treatment. First, the seedlings are treated with it, and then the fertilizer is used at the moment the bud opens. For each square meter, use 3-5 liters of solution. Petunias, phlox, tulips, daffodils, roses, irises and others respond well to such care.
- Grape processing. Basically, this crop is fertilized with magnesium and potassium, but in the fall, when the heat subsides and it becomes cool, fertilizing with potassium monophosphate is carried out in order to ripen the shoots and prepare them for winter conditions. The drug can be sprayed onto the leaf blades or applied under the root. Procedures are carried out once every 7 days until the beginning of October.
Potassium monophosphate is effective for extending the time of planting seedlings if this cannot be done in a timely manner due to bad weather conditions. In addition, the product improves the condition of plants whose leaves have begun to turn brown for one reason or another.
For fruit plants, potassium in combination with phosphorus makes it possible to preserve DNA molecules in their original state, which can be very important for varietal varieties that can degenerate over time. The combination of potassium and phosphorus makes fruits sweeter due to the accumulation of sucrose in them
Potassium fertilizers for tomatoes - names and types
Different soil structures contain different amounts of microelements in their composition, therefore there are several types and names of potash fertilizers. Taking into account the feeding characteristics and soil type, you can choose the appropriate nutrition for vegetable crops.
First of all, fertilizers are divided into mineral, organic and complex. Before deciding on the type of potash fertilizer, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition and the possibility of using it on a specific soil. This is especially true for mineral fertilizers, since they have a greater impact on the acid-base balance. Organic substances that contain potassium have a milder effect, but require regular use.
Furnace ash is a valuable source of potassium. As a rule, it is combined with other types of fertilizers if it is not prepared in sufficient quantities.
Ash is considered an organic fertilizer
- Can be used in all soils. Ash is especially useful for peat soils, where there is a lack of microelements and very high soil acidity.
- Does not contain chlorine.
Potassium can be obtained from ash by burning dry manure, straw, branches, leaves, firewood, especially birch and pine.
It is useful to water young plants with ash, which will provide them with adequate nutrition and further development.
Potassium sulfate - fertilizer, application for tomatoes
Mineral fertilizer that saturates the soil with potassium, promoting plant growth and fruit ripening. Used as spring and summer feeding against plant wilting.
Calimagnesia
Kalimagnesia (or Kalimag) is one of the most common potassium mineral fertilizers. Suitable for all types of soil, except sandy soil, in which minerals are quickly washed out and the soil requires more frequent potassium fertilizing for tomatoes.
Advantages of potassium magnesia when growing tomatoes:
- do not contain chlorine;
- available for use in dry and dissolved form;
- can be used for foliar feeding;
- introduced in the spring and autumn periods;
- affects the increase in vitamin C and starch in fruits.
Potassium monophosphate
A mineral fertilizer containing an optimal ratio of various substances.
- reduces soil acidity;
- improves influence on soil microflora;
- reduces soil drying out;
- can be used for foliar feeding.
This type of potash fertilizer also has disadvantages, namely:
- not suitable for use in autumn;
- not suitable for dry application;
- promotes the growth of weeds;
- a pre-prepared solution is afraid of sunlight and light, so it is not recommended to store the prepared solution, but use it immediately.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- strengthening bushes, accelerating their growth, improving fruit set, ripening and taste;
- ease of use;
- quick effect;
- the ability to apply both at the root and by spraying;
- improving the acid-base balance of the soil, reducing high acidity;
- Top dressing is especially useful for soddy-podzolic soils and peatlands, since there are frequent cases of deficiency of macro- and microelements.
Minuses:
- does not combine with urea (carbamide) and chalk;
- if used incorrectly, too often or in excess, it can cause a deficiency of calcium, magnesium and manganese;
- You cannot apply fertilizer earlier than 14 days before eating ripe tomatoes;
- the prepared solution cannot be stored for a long time, especially after adding nitrogen.
Combination with other minerals
Any vegetable plants need not only K2O, but also nitrogen, fluorine and other microelements. The plant develops quickly and well when it receives balanced nutrition. Experienced gardeners in most cases use complex formulations to feed tomatoes in greenhouses and open ground. For example, superphosphate is very popular, as it compensates for the deficiency of many microelements.
Important! An excess of nutrition is worse than a lack, so it is worth knowing how to combine fertilizers correctly, when and how much to dilute and add to get the desired result.
In the spring, plants are fertilized with potassium fertilizers along with nitrogen fertilizers; in the autumn, to improve the soil composition, potassium is dug up along with phosphorus fertilizers.
Over time, the soil becomes poorer, and plants begin to experience a lack of beneficial microelements. It is recommended to pay attention to fertilizing. The results of using fertilizers containing K2O will not be long in coming.
How does it combine with other fertilizers?
Common mineral fertilizer can be combined with other fertilizers. By combining different compositions you can achieve a special effect. When using potassium sulfate, you must adhere to the following rules:
- this type of fertilizing cannot be applied together with honey or urea;
- if it is necessary to prepare a composition with potassium and nitrogen fertilizer, the components should be mixed in advance;
- when using fertilizer to treat acidic soils, it is recommended to mix potassium with lime;
- Maximum effectiveness can be achieved by combining the drug with phosphorus.
Want to grow sweet, meaty tomatoes? Apply potassium - fertilizer for tomatoes
Like all living things, tomato plants need constant replenishment of nutrients. Their composition is distinguished by the variety of chemical elements, each of which, both on its own and in combination with other elements, is responsible for the vital functions of the entire organism: growth, flowering, fruit set and ripening.
A deficiency or excess of any of the nutrients negatively affects the condition of the plant, leads to the development of diseases and even its death. Potassium is one of the main nutrients, so it is so important that the plant receives it in a timely manner and in the required quantities.
Storage conditions
Store the substance in dry, dark rooms, avoiding contact with moisture. The bulk composition is used, taking into account the expiration date indicated on the packaging.
Dissolved powder cannot be stored for long periods of time.
Potassium sulfate is a popular mineral fertilizer for various types of garden and garden vegetation. Due to its characteristics and the positive effect it has on the crops being processed, it is in great demand among both amateur gardeners and professional vegetable growers. One of the important advantages of the drug is its affordability. You can purchase fertilizer for vegetables in agricultural stores in Russia at a cost of 230 to 270 rubles.
To grow a good crop of tomatoes in your garden, you need to put in a lot of effort. Plants require a lot of attention from the vegetable grower, they need proper nutrition and care, they must be fed promptly and correctly.
By using potassium fertilizers for tomatoes, you can significantly enrich the soil with essential microelements, significantly improve the quality of the fruit, and increase their resistance to various diseases. Fertilizer promotes better preservation of tomatoes, makes them tastier and healthier by increasing the concentration of vitamins in them and the accumulation of nutrients.
To compensate for potassium deficiency, it is also recommended to use potassium chloride and multipotassium.
You can get the desired tomato harvest if you follow all the rules for growing tomatoes. Agronomists advise paying special attention to fertilizing. It is important to fertilize them so that the plants are saturated with the required substances. But there should not be an excess of nutrients.
When to fertilize potassium
The first addition of potassium should be made to the main dressing in the spring a week before planting seedlings in the ground. During the tomato growing season, at least four potassium feedings are recommended. For example, root feeding with monophosphate can be done as follows:
Feeding seedlings with a solution of 7-10 g of fertilizer per 10 liters of water:
- 1 - in the phase of 2 true leaves;
- 2 - 10-14 days after planting in the ground;
- then the concentration of the solution is increased - 7.5-15 g per 10 liters of water:
- 3 - beginning of fruiting;
- 4 - 10-14 days after the previous one.
The amount of fertilizing tomato also affects:
- type of bush;
- ripening period;
- maturation period;
- soil type;
- weather;
- general condition of the plant.
Description of the properties of potassium nitrate
White crystals called potassium nitrate (potassium nitrate) are a physiologically alkaline synthetic fertilizer used for feeding fruit, flowering and berry crops, root crops and other vegetables.
The percentage of main components in the fertilizer is:
- 40-46% potassium
- 13% nitrogen
Potassium nitrate - white crystals
Fertilizing with potassium nitrate accelerates plant growth by increasing the ability to absorb nutrients from the soil, improving cell respiration and activating photosynthesis processes.
This ratio of potassium and nitrogen allows the fertilizer to be used even during the formation of the ovary, creating the basis for a high-quality harvest. After adding potassium nitrate, the size of the fruits, their taste and keeping quality increase.
Attention! The addition of potassium-containing fertilizers strengthens plant immunity, increases their resistance to cold and weather fluctuations, and helps protect them from damage by small insects.
Fertilizing with potassium nitrate is especially important for plants that are sensitive to chlorine-containing fertilizers. It is not recommended to fertilize with potassium nitrate when growing cabbage, radishes, and herbs.
How to properly apply potash fertilizers
The main thing in feeding is not to harm the plant, so you need to:
- Strictly follow fertilizer consumption rates and manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Apply fertilizers in moderately warm weather, cloudy but not damp.
- The event is best held in the evening or early in the morning.
- Fertilizing is carried out on well-moistened soil to prevent burns of the root system.
- The solution is poured onto the soil carefully, without spraying the leaves and trunk.
- Cold solutions should not be used.
- Remains of fertilizers when fertilizing are washed off with clean water.
Features of feeding tomatoes depending on the type of potash fertilizer
When applying potassium fertilizers, it is important to observe the correct dosage; an excess of the mineral is just as harmful as its lack. Potassium foliar feeding is useful for tomatoes
They are produced using potassium monophosphate. Potassium and phosphorus contained in this fertilizer have a beneficial effect on the quality of fruits and enhance each other's effect, prolonging the effect. Monophosphate is suitable not only for foliar feeding of tomatoes, it can also be applied to the soil. Manufacturers of organic fertilizers recommend making only 2 treatments with monophosphate. The first at the stage of fruit formation, the second a week later
Potassium foliar feeding is useful for tomatoes. They are produced using potassium monophosphate. Potassium and phosphorus contained in this fertilizer have a beneficial effect on the quality of fruits and enhance each other's effect, prolonging the effect. Monophosphate is suitable not only for foliar feeding of tomatoes, it can also be applied to the soil. Manufacturers of organic fertilizers recommend making only 2 treatments with monophosphate. The first at the stage of fruit formation, the second a week later.
Potassium nitrate (potassium nitrate). When the fruits begin to form on the first and second clusters, a lack of nitrogen in the plants may begin. It's time to use saltpeter for fertilizing. You can apply foliar feeding or water the bushes with a nutrient solution.
The most common potassium fertilizer among gardeners is ordinary wood ash. It contains the mineral we are considering in the form of potassium carbonate.
In order to ensure good absorption of potassium by the plant, factors that prevent complete absorption of the mineral should be taken into account. For example, it is better not to apply nitrogen group fertilizers, including manure, before potassium fertilizing.
A good tomato harvest can only be obtained by providing the plants with comprehensive, balanced nutrition. Tomatoes must receive all the necessary components in dosages that require the characteristics of the variety and method of cultivation. You should not neglect potassium fertilizing, otherwise you may end up with tomatoes that are simply unsuitable for food.
Potash fertilizers for tomatoes
Potassium monophosphate (KH2PO4), a complex mineral fertilizer, contains K-28%, P-23% in the active substance. Available in the form of powder or granules, the color is beige or light brown. It has positive characteristics and some limitations:
- It does not accumulate in the soil and decomposes quickly, so it is not recommended to add it to the autumn dressing.
- It is easily absorbed by all parts of the plant, therefore it is very effective for foliar feeding.
- The drug is easily soluble in water, but solubility is significantly affected by ambient temperature. At low temperatures it is poorly dissolved and absorbed by plants.
- A good ratio of phosphorus and potassium significantly improves the general condition, fruiting, and increases resistance not only to various diseases, but also to low temperatures.
- Does not contain ballast substances that can lead to side effects.
- Has a good effect on beneficial microflora.
- Has virtually no effect on soil acidity.
- Can be used together with pesticides.
It quickly loses its quality under the influence of moisture and light and requires storage in a closed form. Prepared solutions must be used immediately.
Feeding seedlings with a solution of 7-10 g of fertilizer per 10 liters of water:
- 1 - in the phase of 2 true leaves;
- 2 - 10-14 days after planting in the ground;
- Next, the concentration of the solution is increased - 7.5-15 g per 10 liters of water:
- 3 - beginning of fruiting
- 4 - 10-14 days after the previous one.
Potassium nitrate or potassium nitrate KNO3 is available in the form of a white or yellowish crystalline salt. This is a complex fertilizer containing a convenient ratio of the active substance potassium and nitrogen (K2O - 46.2, N - 13.7), which usually do not combine well when absorbed by plants:
- dissolves well in water;
- has an almost neutral PH;
- is a prevention of blossom end rot and other diseases;
- safe for living organisms.
Determining the need for feeding
Potassium is an important trace element that contributes to the full development of all plants. Its absence leads to disruption of carbohydrate metabolism, which not only reduces the yield of agricultural crops, but also affects their consumer characteristics: the starchy and sugar content of fruits decreases. Plant immunity also depends on the quality of photosynthesis; they become less resistant to diseases and are unable to withstand insect attacks. This is true especially for corn, buckwheat and potato fields.
It can be difficult for a novice gardener or gardener to determine in time the lack of a microelement in the soil. But as a result of many years of experience in monitoring the condition of plants, the following main signs have developed that require surgical intervention:
- deterioration in the accumulation of green mass;
- discrepancy between the sizes of shoot internodes and standard values;
- slowing down the development of leaves and changing their shape;
- fragility and abnormal decrease in the thickness of the stems;
- the appearance of an excessive number of stepchildren;
- the appearance of marginal necrosis of leaves in the form of dots and white-brown spots;
- reduction in the rate of growth of buds and the death of those that have already appeared and did not have time to open;
- decreased cold resistance of plants;
- change in the taste of fruits;
- reducing the shelf life of already harvested crops.
Timely feeding with potassium sulfate helps save the situation. Combination with other fertilizers is possible, but combination with calcium carbonate (chalk) and urea (urea) additives is strictly contraindicated. Soils of different compositions react differently to intervention: heavy clay soils do not allow fertilizing to penetrate into the lower layers, so before autumn digging, fertilizers are applied to a sufficient depth - closer to the roots.
Light sandy soil promotes rapid absorption of nutrients, and fertilizing reaches its goal without hindrance.
The use of potassium in complex fertilizers
Since plants most often require not one, but several nutrients at the same time, it is more advisable to use ready-made complex fertilizers for feeding. On the packaging, the manufacturer indicates the content of elements and average standards for fertilizing.
- Potassium sulfate or potassium sulfate (K2SO 4)
Effective for soils that have an alkaline environment, as it acidifies it. Acidic soils will need to be deoxidized when using potassium sulfate, which is not advisable.
Potassium sulfate can be used in the production of vegetables for all types of soils with normal acidity.
Composition of the active substance: K - 50%, S - 46%, P - 4%. Most often, fertilizer is used as an aqueous solution of low concentrations (about 0.1%) when watering at the root. It is not recommended to constantly use potassium sulfate to feed tomatoes; it should be alternated with other sources of potassium.
The main active ingredient of the fertilizer is humic acids (up to 80%), which have a positive effect both on plant growth and on improving the chemical composition of the soil and its structure. Potassium humate also contains other microelements that have a beneficial effect on tomato plants in different periods:
- soaking seeds (20 ml per 200 g of water) for 24 hours;
- watering three times at the root during the growing season (50 ml per 10 liters of water) or over the leaves;
- for digging the soil (500 ml per bucket of water).
- Ammofoska
This is a complex of nutrients ((NH4)2SO4 + (NH4)2HPO4 + K2SO4), containing in equal parts (about 15%) N, K, P. It is produced in the form of granules, does not caking, is used on all types of soils and, practically, for all plants. It is recommended to use it in the form of fertilizing in an amount of 25-30 g per 1 m2 during the flowering stage and the period of fruit formation, as well as when planting seedlings.
It is not advisable to apply in the fall. Fertilizing can be supplemented with manure extract, manganese sulfate and boric acid.
Used when planting seedlings for the main filling or in holes, as well as a week after the seedlings have taken root. Manufacturers offer different percentages of NPK for different crops.
More often, the main elements are contained in equal proportions (16:16:16). If the composition of nitrophoska is higher than nitrogen (up to 50%), this contributes to increased plant growth and its strengthening in the initial period. phosphorus and potassium occupy from 16 to 24% in the structure and are in equal proportions. Nitrogen is present in an easily accessible form and is used first, and by the time of flowering, potassium and phosphorus are actively absorbed.
Potassium sulfate, fertilizer - use in the country according to instructions
When growing vegetable crops, fruit trees and ornamental plants, potassium sulfate is a fertilizer, the use of which helps to improve the quality of the crop, improves plant resistance to infections and increases the shelf life of products.
At its core, potassium sulfate is a salt consisting of two molecules of potassium and a molecule of sulfur oxide (K₂SO₄), this compound does not contain chlorine, and therefore it can be used to improve soil properties and provide nutrients to perennials without the risk of soil salinization, salt is ideal for garden plants that cannot tolerate chlorine, especially from the cruciferous family. The main feature of the fertilizer is that potassium sulfate is able to equalize the acid-base balance of the soil, so it is often used for application to soil with a high Ph level. Depending on various factors, the method and time of fertilizing vary:
- On loamy soils, top dressing is applied in the fall, and only the next year seeds or seedlings are planted;
- Under mature fruit trees, it is applied in the form of a solution through pits (vertical holes of small diameter up to half a meter deep);
- When planting young fruit trees, salt is added to the planting holes at the bottom;
- For vegetable crops and berry fields grown in rows, potassium is used for digging in the spring, and potassium is used again in the summer in the form of a solution for watering plants or foliar treatment;
- For vegetable crops and berries grown in rows, they are applied in the spring for digging, and in the summer in the form of a dry fraction in the inter-row spaces;
- When growing vegetables on heavy clay soils, use is limited to foliar feeding.
Another point that you should pay attention to when using the potassium sulfate compound is how to dilute it, and, fortunately, no tricks are required here, since it quickly dissolves in water at room temperature, but, despite the stability of the solution, it can be stored for a long time Not recommended
Potassium for plants from natural sources
An excellent natural source of potassium is ash from burning wood and plant residues. Depending on the material being burned, the K content can vary significantly:
- peat - no more than 3%;
- spruce firewood - 5%;
- straw, plant residues (buckwheat, sunflower) - up to 30%;
- birch, pine firewood - up to 40%.
In addition to potassium, ash contains phosphorus and various trace elements. They apply it both when digging up the soil, and in dry form, pouring it under the bush. In addition, ash extracts or decoctions (300 g per 10 liters of water) are used for watering or spraying on the leaves. These fertilizers can be independent or complement mineral and organic fertilizers.
Cement dust is also a completely safe and, at the same time, effective fertilizer, since the active substance contains up to 30% potassium.
At the same time, the dust does not contain chlorine, is highly soluble in water and has an alkaline reaction, which is very useful for acidic soils.
How you can feed tomatoes with the “Potassium Humate” fertilizer, the rules for its preparation - about this in the video.
Kinds
Potash fertilizers are among the most used minerals in agriculture; they can have not only different names, but also composition. Depending on the potassium content, fertilizers are:
- concentrated (include a high percentage of potassium carbonate, potassium chloride, sulfate and potassium magnesium);
- raw (natural minerals without chlorine);
- combined (they include additional salts of phosphorus and nitrogen).
In terms of its effects, potassium fertilizer can be physiologically neutral (does not acidify the soil), acidic or alkaline. Based on the form of release, liquid and dry fertilizers are distinguished.
Sulfate
Potassium sulfate (potassium sulfate) is small gray crystals that are highly soluble in water. This microelement contains 50% potassium, the rest being calcium, sulfur and magnesium. Unlike other types of minerals, potassium sulfate does not cake during storage and does not absorb moisture.
This substance fertilizes vegetables well; it is recommended to feed radishes, radishes and cabbage. Due to the fact that potassium sulfate does not contain chlorine, it can be used at any time of the year to fertilize all types of soil.
Wood ash
This is a common mineral fertilizer containing minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Wood ash is widely used in summer cottages; gardeners use it to feed root crops, cabbage and potatoes. Ash is good for fertilizing flowers and currants.
In addition, with the help of ash you can neutralize strong acidity in the soil. Wood ash is often used as an additive to other minerals when planting seedlings in the soil; it can be added either dry or diluted with water.
Potassium nitrate
This substance contains nitrogen (13%) and potassium (38%), which makes it a universal growth stimulator for all plants. Like all fertilizers containing potassium, saltpeter must be stored in a dry place, otherwise it quickly hardens and becomes unusable. Potassium nitrate is best applied in spring (during planting crops) and summer (to feed roots).
Calimagnesia
This mineral fertilizer consists of magnesium and potassium (does not contain chlorine). Ideal for feeding tomatoes, potatoes and other vegetables. It is especially effective on sandy soils. When dissolved in water, it produces a precipitate. The main advantages of potassium magnesia include good dispersibility and low hygroscopicity.
Potassium salt
It is a mixture of potassium chloride (40%). In addition, it contains kainite and ground sylvinite. It is usually used in the spring and summer to fertilize sugar beets, fruit and berry crops and root crops. To increase the effectiveness of potassium salt, it must be mixed with other fertilizers, but this must be done immediately before adding the mixture to the soil.
Potassium chloride
It is pink crystals containing 60% potassium. Potassium chloride is classified as the main potassium-containing fertilizer, which can be used on all types of soils. Well suited for feeding berry bushes, fruit trees, as well as vegetable crops such as beans, tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers. In order for chlorine to be washed out of the soil faster, fertilizer must be applied in the fall, otherwise it will increase the acidity of the soil.
Potash
This is potassium carbonate, which has the form of colorless crystals that dissolve well in water. Potash is especially active in acidic soils. It can be used as an additional fertilizer for various vegetables, flowers and fruit trees.
Application in the garden - timing, dosage
To ensure that the fertilizer dissolves well and becomes part of the soil, experienced gardeners recommend incorporating it into the soil before digging in the fall. This is done after harvesting.
Superphosphate or phosphate rock is added along with potash fertilizers. Superphosphate is a stationary fertilizer, it does not migrate in the soil, and it takes time to dissolve phosphate rock - at least 3 months.
Amount of potassium sulfate for garden plants:
For fruit trees: 200 – 300 g evenly into the trunk circle. Don’t forget to water well before adding the granules and after filling the funnel with soil.
For vegetables: from 15 to 35 g per bucket of water. The solution is prepared immediately before use.
Berries - 20 g per bucket of water.
On clay soils, it is necessary to alternate watering and foliar spraying, since the roots cannot absorb the entire solution due to poor water movement in the clay. To do this, prepare a light solution, with a dosage less than for irrigation.
In spring, it is advisable to apply fertilizer to the soil a week before the intended sowing. This is necessary for it to dissolve. If there is no time, then make a universal water solution and water the garden bed. 10 liters is enough to water 5 square meters.
Since potash fertilizers are especially necessary for crops before the flowering stage, they are applied a second time 2 weeks after the first watering. The dosage is the same.
The plants are watered a third time during the filling and ripening of the fruits. This allows for uniform coloring. The taste and density of the pulp depend on how regularly fertilizing with potassium sulfate was carried out.
In autumn, potassium sulfate is applied to perennial plants so that they overwinter successfully. In the regions of the middle zone, grapes can die from frost, so they need to gain strength in the fall. Pruning and fertilizing with phosphorus-potassium mixtures are carried out simultaneously.
During this period, nitrogen components should not be added so as not to cause shoot growth. Heat-loving trees - peaches, kiwis, persimmons - also remove large amounts of potassium fertilizers from the soil, not only in the spring. They store nutrients in the fall and use them up as temperatures drop.
Methods of feeding plants
Foliar feeding is used for emergency crop rescue. If the leaves dry out, turn brown and fall off even though watering is carried out on time, then the plants need potassium sulfate.
The time for spraying is chosen in the morning or evening, so that the solution does not dry out, but is gradually absorbed. Many gardeners consider foliar spraying with potassium sulfate to be ineffective, but many use it in situations of deficiency.
It is advisable to immediately water the roots so that the substances begin to dissolve and become part of the soil. This takes approximately 3 – 4 days.
What time of year to use
In complex mixtures, potassium is chloride and sulfur. In order not to make a mistake with the selection of fertilizer, you need to carefully read the instructions. Tuki are produced taking into account the time of year: there are those that are suitable for early spring application. Others close up later - at the beginning of flowering. Still others - with the highest percentage of the potassium component - for the period of fruit ripening or autumn feeding.
Basic rules of use
To ensure that the application of agrochemicals does not harm the plantings, you must carefully read the instructions for use, which are supplied with each package. There is a list of garden and vegetable crops for which fertilizer is recommended, and the required dosage:
- cucumbers and tomatoes - 20 g/sq.m. meter,
- root vegetables: potatoes, carrots, beets - 30 g/sq.m. meter,
- cabbage and salads - from 25 to 30 g/sq.m. meter,
- berries: strawberries, wild strawberries - from 15 to 20 g/sq.m. meter,
- berry bushes: raspberries, currants, gooseberries - 20 g/sq.m. meter,
- fruit trees - from 200 to 250 g / piece.
How to fertilize a garden
Potassium sulfate as a fertilizer has also found its use in the garden. Fertilizing vegetables (cabbage, radishes, cucumbers, eggplants, bell peppers, tomatoes, etc.) increases their yield, and using it for planting seedlings promotes the accumulation of vitamins. For tomatoes and cucumbers, fertilizer is applied when digging the soil as the main application, the recommended rate is 15-20 g per square meter. The fertilizer is also useful for root crops (potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage), and is applied to the soil when digging in an amount of 25-30 g per square meter. For cabbage, lettuce and greens, 25-30 g of potassium sulfate per square meter is needed, and it is best to fertilize the soil by digging.
The use of potassium sulfate in gardening
It is widely used in gardening, as it perfectly absorbs potassium, which is necessary for obtaining a high-quality and generous harvest, and it does not contain chlorine. For berry bushes, it is recommended to add 20 g of potassium sulfate per square meter to the soil, preferably before flowering, during the growing season.
It also feeds grapes. This is done in cloudy weather. 20 g of potassium sulfate is diluted in 10 liters of water, and 40 g of superphosphate is also added.
Grapes absorb quite a lot of potassium, so it is recommended to apply fertilizer annually. Potassium sulfate is applied to strawberries and wild strawberries during the flowering of plants, 15-20 g per square meter.
Potassium fertilizers are very useful for flowers, in particular for roses. Potassium sulfate for roses is considered the very first feeding. It is applied once a week in the amount of 15 g per square meter. And during the flowering period of roses, it is recommended to add potassium nitrate.
Fertilizing the soil in the fall for future planting of tomatoes
The struggle for next year’s harvest begins in the fall of the previous year, so the ideal option would be to determine in advance the area for tomatoes on a summer cottage, taking into account predecessors (potatoes, eggplant, or bell peppers), after which it is irrational to plant tomatoes, primarily due to the accumulation of related diseases and pests . It would be good to know in advance the fertility data of the soil in which you are going to plant seedlings in the spring. Since this is not always feasible, experienced gardeners believe that porridge cannot be spoiled with oil, especially in the pre-winter period, and they fertilize it by eye with organic fertilizers (mullein, bird droppings, compost), because by spring everything will decompose in the soil and become excellent. fertilizer for tomatoes.
In the fall, to improve the structure of the soil, it is better to introduce potassium and phosphorus fertilizers into the soil, combining this with deep digging of the site. Peat and rotted sawdust should be added to heavy clay and loamy soils.
Soils with high acidity need to be “deoxidized”; limestone chips, fluff (slaked lime) and dolomite flour are suitable for this purpose, as well as lighter deoxidizers: chalk and wood ash.
How to feed tomatoes with yeast
Both fresh and dry yeast can be used to feed tomatoes.
Baker's yeast fertilizer can be prepared in two ways:
- One package of dry instant yeast is mixed with 2 tbsp. sugar and add a little warm water until the mixture becomes liquid. Then the resulting substance is dissolved in 10 liters of water and 0.5 liters are used for each plant.
- A three-liter jar is filled 2/3 with black bread, warm water with fresh yeast dissolved in it (100 g) is poured to the top and placed in a warm place for 3-5 days. After which the infusion is filtered and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. For a young tomato bush, use 0.5 liters of solution, and for an adult – about 2 liters.
There is also the simplest recipe for yeast fertilizer: 100 g of fresh yeast is thoroughly dissolved in 10 liters of water and the resulting liquid is immediately poured over the tomatoes.
Yeast does not contain the basic nutrients of plants, so the yeast solution is more of a growth stimulant than a fertilizer.
Fertilizer overview
A good harvest of excellent commercial quality is the main goal of every gardener. This goal can be quite achievable provided that the tomatoes are fertilized in a timely and balanced manner.
Correct and timely feeding of tomatoes contributes to:
- active growth of tomatoes;
- good yield;
- plant resistance to pests and diseases.
Currently, there are many different types of fertilizers, both natural and chemical in origin. Absolutely their entire range can be divided into two large groups: mineral and organic.
Also, do not forget about the traditional methods that you can resort to in the process of feeding tomatoes. Let's discuss each of the options in more detail.
Organic
Organic fertilizers are substances of natural origin. They are considered very healthy and effective as they do not contain chemicals.
For feeding tomatoes, you can choose among organic fertilizers.
- Cow or horse manure can be added to the soil only after composting.
- Green manure in the form of a herbal infusion - the main component is the green part of nettle. The greenery of the plant is cut and infused in water for 2 weeks.
- Peat is a universal fertilizer that not only nourishes the soil and saturates tomatoes with useful substances, but also helps retain moisture in the soil.
- Ash is rich in potassium and phosphorus. Ash obtained by burning straw, branches or charcoal is best suited for tomatoes. It contains many minerals and micronutrients.
- There are organic fertilizers that are sold in specialized stores. Experts recommend buying vermicompost "Vermix", supercompost "Pixa" and other types.
Mineral
What are mineral fertilizers? These are specially designed and created substances based on combinations of chemical elements. Three types of fertilizers are used to feed tomatoes.
- Phosphate. Tomatoes respond very well to them. Sold in powder or granule form. Superphosphates are recommended to be applied to the soil immediately or before the sowing field.
- Nitrogen. This type of fertilizer includes the well-known ammonium nitrate - ammonium sulfate, urea. These fertilizers acidify the soil, so experts recommend liming the soil after applying them.
- Potassium. Their range is quite diverse, but not all of them are suitable for feeding tomatoes. Experienced agronomists recommend fertilizing the soil for tomatoes with potassium sulfate or potassium sulfate. It is strictly not recommended to feed vegetables with potassium chloride and potassium salt. They contain a lot of chlorine, which can have a detrimental effect on the crop.
The mineral granulated fertilizer “Sudarushka” is in greatest demand. It contains no chlorine, it perfectly nourishes and saturates the soil. Used for root and foliar feeding. In addition to saturating the crop with nutritious and beneficial microelements, this fertilizer is ideal for the prevention of various diseases.
Folk remedies
Very often, various folk remedies are used to feed tomatoes. Experts say that they have a good effect on growth and increase productivity. Most often used.
- Iodine – fertilizing with iodine promotes fruit ripening and prevents the occurrence of diseases such as late blight.
- Yeast is used exclusively to accelerate plant growth. They do not contain nutrients on their own.
- Bird (chicken) droppings are useful, but quite insidious. If a lot of it is added, the root system of the plant may suffer. It is recommended to add chicken manure to the soil not in its pure form, but mixed with straw or peat.
- Banana peel - saturates the vegetable with potassium and phosphorus - the tomatoes will grow quickly, and their taste will be more expressive. Helps cope with aphids, which often attack bushes.
- Eggshells are rich in potassium, fluorine, zinc and silicon. This is an ideal option for fertilizing tomatoes. The shell also helps to cope with pests, namely snails and slugs.
Absolutely all of the above methods of feeding tomatoes are effective and efficient. The most important thing is to carefully read the instructions if you choose minerals as a fertilizer. It is necessary to observe the norm and period of feeding. This applies to both folk remedies and organic fertilizers. Excessive dosage can negatively affect the plant.
When purchasing fertilizers, give preference to well-known manufacturers that have been on the market for a long time. Carefully study the information on the original packaging and look at the expiration date of the fertilizer.