Gardeners are being urged to add tomato feed to their soil weekly to ensure their tomatoes grow juicy and plump as the fruits begin to ripen this month. The advice comes from gardening enthusiast and TikTok creator Ish, who shared practical tips in a video for Cherry Lane Garden Centres.
Why Tomato Feed is Essential
In the clip, Ish explained that August is when tomato plants "start growing wild and ripening," making them "quite thirsty and quite hungry." To support their growth, he recommends incorporating tomato feed into the soil on a weekly basis for the rest of the summer, along with ensuring adequate watering. Without it, the plants may "struggle."
Tomato feed contains vital nutrients, including potassium and phosphorus, which help the fruits develop into larger, more flavoursome produce. The application is simple: mix one capful with four to five litres of water in a watering can and pour directly onto the compost around the plant's base, ensuring a "good soak." Avoid applying it to the leaves.
Additional Watering Tips
While regular feeding is crucial, gardeners must also keep the soil reasonably moist throughout the summer. However, it is equally important to prevent the soil from becoming completely dry. If the soil repeatedly alternates between saturated and arid conditions, it puts the plant under significant strain, leading to reduced tomato production. Any tomatoes that do grow under such conditions are likely to split.
Tomato feed can also be used on other fruit and vegetable varieties, making it a versatile addition to any garden routine.
