Nothing beats the flavor of fresh, homegrown tomatoes, especially when you can pick them straight off the vine and throw them into tasty salads and dishes. Not only is this organic option free from toxic chemicals, but it can also save you money on your grocery bills.
But while you can easily grow tomatoes from seeds or using pots, perhaps the biggest challenge for most gardeners is how to get the most out of your crop, and increase your yield for a bumper harvest.
While we often turn to fertilizers or follow viral tomato growing tips, I’ve just discovered this rather unusual hack that can help your crop thrive and give it a good boost. What’s more, this kitchen item is likely to be found in your pantry rather than in a gardening center. So why is molasses touted as the secret ingredient to your tomato plants' success?
The power of molasses
According to gardening experts, molasses can be effectively used as a do-it-yourself tomato fertilizer when mixed into the soil. Surprisingly, unsulfured black molasses contains all the micronutrients that plants need, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium.
This sweet, sticky substance feeds soil microbes, which, in turn, help your plants thrive by improving enzyme function and soil health over time. Good soil health, typically created by thriving microbes, is essential for plant growth as they can easily absorb nutrients. As a result, your tomatoes should see a healthy boost, and best of all, taste more flavorsome this season. Win-win!
How to use molasses on your tomato plants
There are several ways to use molasses on your tomato plants. If you prefer to drench the soil, simply mix one tablespoon of unsulfured blackstrap molasses into a gallon of water. Then pour onto the soil around the base of the tomato plant every 3-4 weeks.
Alternatively, you can create a plant spray by mixing one tablespoon of molasses with one liter of water before spraying directly onto leaves. Applying this, ideally in the early morning, will also aid in pest control.
So if you want to get more out of your tomato plants this year, try this top tip for a juicy harvest.
