One way to care for your tomato plants this summer.
Bananas are an excellent, natural supplement for tomato plants. Because they are incredibly rich in potassium and calcium, bananas help promote vigorous flowering, strong root development, and uniform fruit growth, while actively preventing blossom end rot.
Whether you are using whole fruits or just the peels, there are a few highly effective ways to use them in your garden.
1. Burying Peels & Bananas
- At planting time: Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep, toss in a chopped-up banana peel or whole fruit, and cover it with a few inches of soil before setting in your tomato seedling.
- Established plants: Dig a shallow trench around the outer perimeter of your existing tomato plant’s root zone, bury chopped peels into the soil, and cover them back up.
- Tip: Always chop peels into smaller pieces so they decompose and release nutrients faster.
2. Making Banana “Tea”
- How to make it: Submerge chopped banana peels in a glass jar of water (roughly 16-32 oz of water per peel). Let the mixture steep for a few hours to overnight, or let it ferment slightly for 3 to 10 days.
- Application: Strain out the solid peels and pour the nutrient-rich, brownish liquid at the base of your plants once a week.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Pest Attraction: Decomposing fruit or peels on the surface of the soil can attract fruit flies, fungus gnats, or other pests. Always ensure your banana pieces are buried entirely beneath a layer of soil.
- Nutrient Balance: While bananas are high in potassium and calcium, they do not provide a complete spectrum of nutrients. They are best used as an organic booster alongside a balanced tomato fertilizer.
For step-by-step instructions on brewing a potassium-rich banana tea fertilizer for your tomatoes:
