As autumn approaches, it is time to harvest. First, summer residents collect tomatoes, and soon they dig up potatoes. After this, the question arises of what to do with the large amount of tops left after the plants. Most often, gardeners use it to make compost. Only tops from healthy plants can be added to the compost heap. If the crops have been affected by late blight, this method will not work. How else can you use potato and tomato tops in your garden plot?
Pest control infusion
The tops of tomatoes and potatoes contain the poison solanine. The resulting extract from stems and leaves can be used to combat malicious garden pests. This composition successfully destroys:
- spider mite;
- cabbage whites;
- caterpillars;
- fleas;
- scoop;
- aphids
Many of these insects multiply rapidly and are capable of destroying standing crops, as well as significantly weakening perennial crops, which will negatively affect the winter hardiness of plants.
The advantages of using an infusion based on potato and tomato tops are that this composition does not contain chemicals, and therefore is harmless to the soil, garden crops and humans. It is noteworthy that the raw materials can be used both fresh and dry, which means that the tops can be pre-dried and then used as needed.
Infusion recipe:
- First you need to chop 650 g of fresh or 450 g of dry tops.
- Pour 5 liters of water into the raw material, let the composition brew in a warm place for 2-3 days.
- Strain the prepared infusion and add 2 tbsp. l. grated laundry soap.
The soap film will help the composition stay on the plant leaves longer. The finished infusion is used to spray affected crops for 3 days in a row. After a week's break, the treatment can be repeated. It is better to spray in the evening. First you need to make sure that the weather forecast does not promise rain in the near future.
Ash as fertilizer
The ash obtained from burning the above-ground parts of plants is in no way inferior in value to the ash obtained by burning wood. Tomato and potato tops contain large doses of phosphorus and potassium, as well as various microelements. This fertilizer is perfect for feeding any garden and vegetable crops.
When vegetation is burned, all pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed, so there is no fear that any diseases will spread to other crops. First you need to dry the tops, and then collect them in a pile and set them on fire, not forgetting the fire safety rules.
Work should be carried out in calm weather away from residential and commercial buildings. It is also necessary to ensure that the fire does not spread through the grass. After cooling, the ashes must be collected and placed in a tightly closed container. It can be used either in dry form or as an infusion for watering plants (2 liter jars per 8 liters of water, leave for 2-3 days).
Use as mulch
The tops of nightshade plants can be successfully used as a mulching material. When preparing fruit bushes and trees for winter, it is laid out in a circle near the trunk. A loose layer of tops will create a kind of air dome; there is no need to crush the greens.
Mulch will protect the roots of fruit crops from freezing in winter and at the same time serve as fertilizer. By the beginning of the next season, the stems of potatoes and tomatoes will rot and saturate the soil with useful substances. Potato and tomato tops have a specific odor that will repel pests. At the same time, mulch will prevent the growth of weeds.
