Tomatoes require substantial nutrients to produce healthy fruit, often more than standard potting soil can provide. Gardeners can benefit from applying fertiliser at key growth stages to support flowering, fruit development, and disease resistance. Undernourished plants may show signs of deficiency as tomatoes begin to form.
Gardening expert Susan Patterson of Rural Sprout has shared a homemade tomato fertiliser recipe she has “perfected for over 30 years” to achieve a “bumper crop”. The base is high-quality compost made from food and garden waste. Combine half a gallon of compost in a bucket, breaking up clumps, then add two cups of vermicompost (worm manure) for beneficial soil microbes.
Next, add two cups of powdered eggshells and two cups of rabbit or hamster droppings. To boost potassium and phosphorus, mix in a cup of wood ashes. For nitrogen, add one cup of coffee grounds. Unusually, finely cut pet or human hair can also be added, as it breaks down to provide nitrogen and keratin for strong growth.
After combining all ingredients, let the fertiliser cure in a sealed bucket for about a month before use. Vermicompost is available from Amazon for £13.40 or Original Organics for £21.97; rabbit manure can be bought on eBay for £6.
