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Introduction
Tomatoes are a beloved garden staple, known for their versatility and rich flavor. However, many gardeners struggle with getting a bountiful harvest. The secret to an abundant tomato crop lies not just in watering and sunlight, but in enriching your soil with the right natural additives. One surprisingly effective method is to always add tomato matter—such as tomato scraps or composted tomato plants—directly into the soil. This article will walk you through how incorporating tomato material into your soil can instantly increase your tomato harvest and improve plant health.
Ingredients:
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Ripe or overripe tomatoes (or tomato scraps)
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Composted tomato plant material (optional)
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Well-balanced organic compost
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Garden soil
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Optional: natural soil amendments (e.g., bone meal, kelp powder)
Preparation:
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Collect Tomato Matter: Gather any tomato scraps leftover from cooking, as well as any old tomato plants that have finished fruiting. Avoid diseased plants.
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Chop or Crush: Cut the tomatoes and plant matter into small pieces to speed decomposition.
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Composting: If possible, compost the tomato scraps and plants for several weeks. This breaks down acids and releases nutrients in a form more accessible to plants.
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Prepare Soil Bed: Before planting your new tomato seedlings, loosen the garden soil in your bed or container.
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Mix Tomato Material into Soil: Incorporate your chopped or composted tomato matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil. If composted, mix 1-2 inches of compost into the soil.
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Add Amendments: Add organic compost and any desired amendments like bone meal or kelp powder to provide balanced nutrition.
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Plant Tomato Seedlings: Transplant your seedlings into this enriched soil.
Serving and Storage Tips:
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Water Well: Tomatoes thrive with consistent moisture, especially after transplanting.
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Mulch: Use organic mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
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Rotate Crops: To avoid disease, avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot year after year.
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Storage: Any leftover tomato scraps can be frozen or added to a compost bin for future use.
Variations:
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