Woman shares 'best' homemade fertiliser for tomato plants to grow 'huge and juicy' fruit

Tomatoes, unlike many other fruits and vegetables, require a significant amount of nutrients to produce healthy fruit. Gardeners often discover that even nutrient-rich potting soil isn't enough for tomato plants.

Undernourished tomato plants will start showing signs of nutrient deficiency, either immediately or when the tomatoes begin to form.

Tomato plants thrive on fertilisers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For those looking to avoid spending on commercial organic fertiliser, creating a homemade version can be much more cost-effective and equally beneficial, reports the Express.

READ MORE: Gardeners say kitchen staple is 'better' than vinegar for killing gravel weeds

Seeking alternative organic fertilisation methods for her tomato plants, a woman reached out on the Gardening UK Facebook group.

Emma Wood posted: "I've been using this tomato feed from Sainsbury's for a while, but it's run out now. Is there an organic alternative I can use instead?".

Banana peels were among the top recommended solutions, with Jane Wilson advising: "Banana peels contain potassium, which helps tomatoes to grow more huge and juicy fruit."

She added, "To use it on your plant either add it to compost first or cut it up and bury it around the plant."

Lisa Marsden also remarked: "Banana peels will fertilise the plant and prevent any diseases from developing."

Rosalyn Fair shared her gardening tip: "When I don't have any of my Tomorite left I often use banana peels. I heard that it's the best as it helps tomato plants to produce bigger fruit."

Glenn Fields added his experience: "Even though banana peels don't contain nitrogen, I still feel like it does the best job when fertilising the plant.

"I used them last year and my tomatoes had never grown so big. I'm hoping for the same outcome this year."

Sara Dunster offered her method: "I like to add a single banana peel to each planting hole before planting the tomatoes. Then in summer I just add one to two peels around the top of the plant's soil around the plant."

Banana peels are considered an excellent fertiliser for tomato plants due to their high potassium content, which is crucial for helping plants move nutrients and water between cells. This is especially beneficial for increasing the quantity and taste of the fruits produced.

Some gardeners favour banana peels as a fertiliser because they lack nitrogen, which, while essential for plants, can lead to lush foliage but fewer fruits if overabundant.

To utilise banana peels effectively, bury them near the tomato plants where they will decompose and gradually release their nutrients. It's recommended to fertilise tomatoes at planting time and again when the plant begins to bear fruit.