Not Coffee Grounds, Not Banana Peels — The Kitchen Scrap That's A Fantastic Tomato Fertilizer

Growing tomato plants is practically a rite of passage for home gardeners. Whether you enjoy tomatoes simply as a snack or like incorporating them into your favorite recipes, it's handy to have some freshly picked from your garden. Growing tomatoes requires top-notch soil, however. And while seasoned green thumbs often use store-bought fertilizer or even go-to items like coffee grounds or banana peels for a fertilizing boost, one of the best secrets to a thriving tomato crop might be hiding in your breakfast bowl. Forget your compost bin for a moment: you can turn oat water into a fantastic DIY tomato fertilizer. It's even an easy tomato growing tip for beginner gardeners.

Just like humans, plants need certain nutrients in order to grow and stay healthy. Specifically, tomatoes benefit from adequate amounts of phosphorus and potassium. And oats contain both of these nutrients. Phosphorus supports flowering and fruit production in tomato plants. Likewise, potassium helps tomato plants regulate water intake and boost their natural disease resistance. Oat water may provide some of these nutrients and can be used as a supplemental boost for tomato plants.

If you already have oats in your pantry, oat water can be an inexpensive supplement to your tomato care routine. Creating your own DIY tomato fertilizer isn't just cost-effective, it's one of many tips for setting your tomato plants up for success.

One of the best parts of creating your own oat water fertilizer is that it's actually a fast and simple process. There isn't a set recipe, as everyone has a different number of tomato plants and unique plant fertilizing strength needs. However, you have two ways to create some of this nutrient-dense liquid for your plants.

If you regularly cook oatmeal, just save the cloudy water left over after rinsing your raw, uncooked oats and use that. Otherwise, you can put some unflavored rolled oats with water in a jar or pitcher and let it sit overnight in the fridge; just like tea, more oats make the mixture stronger. That gives some of the nutrients time to leach into the water. From there, strain the mixture and collect your new DIY oat water fertilizer in a separate container. Now you have a liquid filled with potassium and phosphorus that'll nourish your tomato plants, which is helpful if you don't have the best type of soil for growing healthy garden tomatoes.

All you need to do to use this DIY fertilizer is gently pour it right on the soil at the base of your tomato plants. Do note, however, that you shouldn't use instant oatmeal packets for this, as they can have additives (like sugar or artificial flavorings) that might disrupt your soil's natural balance or even harm it. Next time you're prepping breakfast, remember that oats can provide a simple, low-cost supplement for your tomato plants.