Great companion plants for tomatoes include garlic, onions, chives, lettuce, basil, and sage. Garlic is especially good because it is a powerful insect repellent, so it not only helps the tomato fruits become more flavorful and robust, it tends to repel both aphids and tomato hornworms.
Use tall tomato cages, and prune your tomatoes to keep developing fruits off of the ground and away from slugs and critters. Apply diatomaceous earth at the base of your tomato plants to deter slugs. You can also use Sluggo, a good slug killer that is approved for organic gardening.
Mulch Blocks Weeds
Weeds are usually no problem for tomatoes since the large plants, with their dense foliage, shade out and smother any weeds. However, mulch around staked or trellised plants will keep down those baby weeds, so they won't rob the plants of water and nutrients.
Tomatoes are less compatible with plants from the same family. Potatoes, eggplants and physalis also belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). You should not plant these directly next to your tomatoes. Potatoes and tomatoes are bad neighbors here, as both plants are susceptible to late blight.
The fact of the matter is that YES the plants are related and YES they share some common diseases but most people do not have the space in their garden to separate them. The reality is that because the two have similar growth requirements, they can in fact be grown quite successfully together.
Tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency later in the growing season, which can show with yellowing leaves and diminished production. Ultra Epsom Salt treatments at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life can help to prevent and remedy magnesium deficiency in your tomato plants.
Tomatoes thrive in loamy soils with good drainage and high organic matter content. Adding composted coffee grounds to planting beds is a great way to build healthy soil for tomato planting but won't provide all the required nutrients.
What is best insect spray for tomato plants? To make an insect spray at home for tomato plans, mix 10 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, 1 gallon of water and 10 ounces of sugar together. Mix it well and spray it on and around the tomato plant and leaves. Remember to wash it off after a day or two though.
Mulch around your tomato plants.
A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch will suffice and can help protect your plants from weed competition. It can also reduce the splashing of water that can transfer soilborne diseases to the leaves and stems of the plants.
Here are common nocturnal pests that eat tomatoes, and some evidence they may leave behind: Deer: Leave ragged edges on leaves. Rabbits: Leave distinctive 45-degree angle cuts on plants. Raccoons: Often leave half-eaten tomatoes and scattered debris.
Keep four-legged pests out of your garden by soaking several rags in white vinegar and place on stakes around your vegetables.
Marigolds and tomatoes are good garden buddies with similar growing conditions. Research studies have indicated that planting marigolds between tomatoes protects the tomato plants from harmful root-knot nematodes in the soil.
Brassicas: Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are not good companion plants for peppers as they require similar nutrients from the soil, which can lead to competition and reduced yield.
Mint: Catnip, spearmint, peppermint, and other mint plants emit a strong scent that repels flies, beetles, ants, mealybugs, and other pests. Herbs: Basil, oregano, rosemary, and other strongly scented herbs keep mosquitoes, flies, aphids, tomato hornworms, and spider mites away from your garden.
Second when tomatos begin to appear and are about 1 inch in diameter lightly sprinkle baking soda around each plant to make them sweeter. Repeat this process again when tomatoes are about half grown.
The eggshells will naturally decompose, and they will add calcium and nitrogen to your soil; necessary nutrients for your plants. Calcium is very good for tomatoes because it prevents blossom end rot.
Can I Just Sprinkle Epsom Salt on Plants? Never apply Epsom salt straight from the package. Always dilute the granules in water first, and either drench your plants' roots or spray it on the foliage. Don't spray on hot or sunny days, however, to avoid scorching the foliage.
Baking soda deters pests and diseases in tomatoes, boosting their productivity. Use this natural solution to fend off aphids, powdery mildew, late blight, and weeds. Adjust the soil's pH with this common household item for optimal tomato plant growth.
Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don't over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.