The Little-Known Fruit Hack That Can Help Your Tomato Plants Thrive

You've done everything right with your tomatoes — or so you thought. You picked the perfect sunlit spot, deterred hungry deer, and found the solution to safeguard your tomato plants from pests. But maybe you're still finding that your harvest just isn't as deliciously plump and sweet as you'd hoped.

It's possible your tomatoes just aren't getting all the nutrients they need to thrive. Thankfully, there's a little-known fruit hack that can give them a nourishing boost. The best part? It's super affordable and something you probably already have in your kitchen (or your trash) — a banana peel. Next time you're ready to toss the peel in the garbage, think twice. It's full of critical nutrients that could enrich the soil surrounding your tomato plants. By placing it in your compost pile or making it into a natural fertilizer, you'll be one step closer to growing the best tomatoes in your garden.

The peel of a banana is even more nutrient-dense than the fruit itself. It packs as much as 1,000 milligrams or more of potassium, as well as phosphorus, iron, calcium, and magnesium — all of which are key components of many types of store-bought fertilizers. The best way to get the most out of your banana peels is to add them to a compost pile and use that as a natural fertilizer for your tomato plants. The compost process speeds up the decomposition of the peel, meaning the nutrients will quickly break down and enrich the soil without attracting pests.

If you don't already make your own DIY compost, you can bury the banana directly into a small hole in the soil near your tomato plants. The nutrients will still break down, and the burial should help deter pests. Chopping up the peels can help them decompose faster.

If you're still worried about the buried peels drawing unwanted visitors, you can try another method: Cut up banana peels in large chunks and let them sit in a jar of water for at least 3 days. Then, you can remove the peels from the water and dilute it by a ratio of 1 part banana water to 5 parts regular water. Use that solution to water or spritz your plants.