Fertilizing tomatoes is a must if you want juicy fruits. Fertilizer was my number one item on the shopping list until I learned about a free alternative! I love DIY projects for my garden, from crafting hanging baskets and making mulch from my plants to building sprinklers for watering!
A few years ago, I discovered that one specific weed could be the perfect fertilizer for tomatoes. Drum roll, please! It’s comfrey, a weed I never imagined could benefit my veggies. But it turned out to be exactly what my tomatoes needed!
If you’re an adventurous gardener like me, you should start searching for comfrey right away. Be prepared, because the results might shock you.
This Is The Place You Should Start Your Search
If you’re lucky, you might find comfrey in your garden! If not, then get ready for a little trip. Look near rivers, in fens, or in ditches, these are the places where it grows.
If you have no idea what this weed looks like, don’t worry. It’s pretty unique, with hairy green leaves and drooping flowers that are pinkish-purple!
Bring a bag to harvest the comfrey and don’t forget to wear gloves! The stems are covered with stiff hairs that can cause skin irritation.
Time To Dive Into DIY And Create Magic
After you’re done searching for and gathering comfrey, it’s time to create a magic potion! This weed has the ability to pull up all the beneficial nutrients because of its deep roots.
It is full of minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, as well as vitamins A and C. While it may seem beneficial for your health, you should never try it. It’s toxic, especially to your liver, and can cause severe poisoning.
Now let’s start with a DIY project! There are two ways you can use comfrey. The first is by using it as mulch around the base of your tomatoes. By adding just a few leaves, it will decompose slowly, providing nutrients to your veggies right away!
The second option is to make tea from comfrey. Start by chopping the leaves into smaller pieces to speed up decomposition. You will need a five-gallon bucket to which you’ll add the chopped leaves and water.
Put the lid on it and wait for a month, and your tea will be ready to use on your veggies. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle and let the tea do its job!
I know, a month isn’t a short time, but it’s worth the wait because your tomatoes will be juicier and provided with everything they need for incredible growth.
Your Tomatoes Aren’t the Only Ones Benefiting From This Fertilizer
You can also plant comfrey around your fruit trees and perennials! I placed it next to my apple trees, and there was no trace of weeds. In early spring, it will grow and gather all the nutrients, and when frost comes, comfrey will wither, providing free mulch for the trees!
It can also attract many pollinators to your garden. Bees love the nectar from comfrey, which will lead to frequent visits!
This will be a fun journey, right? It’s great that we are able to learn new things every day that benefit our garden and plants! Comfrey is a fantastic natural way to fertilize your tomatoes. You’ll end up with delicious, ripe fruits that you won’t be able to resist!
From my research, tomatoes fertilized with comfrey grow much better than those treated with store-bought fertilizers.
You’ll be able to spot the difference after using it, with freshly picked tomatoes from your garden. Salads or other dishes will have an incredible taste! If you don’t have this weed in your yard, start your search right away!
Good luck!