Give them a boost

[Puregoodtomatoes]

My tomatoes need a boost of something. I'm thinking of spreading Alfalfa meal down now. Is this a good idea this time of year? Or is something else better?
I've done foliage sprays so far, but I think my soil is so depleted I need more. I waited too many years without ammending my soil and tend to plant a lot in it. I had plans for spreading manure, bonemeal, alfafa meal and a lot of leaves this fall to help me out next year but my plants need help this year. What can I do this time of year? They aren't horrible but not good. Maybe a little chlorosis in a few. Any ideas to help out?? I would love some help. Thanks

[bully]

I gave mine a shot of compost/rabbit manure tea and they really responded. I dressed out the ones that looked like they needed the biggest boost with the compost and rabbit manure that was left in the bottom.

[Althea]

I just gave mine a nice helping of compost and dried alfalfa. They are much happier.

[Puregoodtomatoes]

I have a bag of mushroom compost, will that be ok? Along with Alfalfa meal? How much can you put down without burning the plants? What a bunch of questions!!! :wink:

[Tomstrees]

In July, I always lift some of the
straw I have down ;
and lay 2 inch layers of seaweed -
Gangbusters in a few days !!!

~ Tom

ps.
I've never used
commerical fertilizer ~

[westocast73]

Puregoodtomatoes -

Mushroom Compost/Manure is Alkaline and most likely is not what your tomatoes will want as Tomatoes prefer their soil a little on the acidic side.

[Reign]

In a few days mine are going to get a drink of the weak version of alfalfa tea. A red cup of meal to a 5 gal bucket of water and a splash of molasses. Brew for one day. I put the sludge from the bottom around the problem children and cover it with some compost.

[Mantis]

Another vote for compost/manure teas. My compost last year had a small amount of chook poo but this year I am going with sheep. Its much milder and can be applied directly on most plants with no harm.

[bully]

The tea was applied to the base of the plant only.
a week or so ago I gave them a light misting of fish fert.

[Puregoodtomatoes]

I've never made alfalfa, manure, or compost tea. I bet its a little different than Lipton tea- joke
Do you just soak the stuff in water( how much stuff?) how long do you let it brew? ???????????
My choices to brew are:1. Alfalfa meal, 2. Mushroom compost, 3. City compost, were people take leaves, grass, bushes, weeds, and diseased plants( don't know if it would be safe) There is a huge mountain of this stuff but I'm hestient to use but have connections to get it.
So what's the best??????????? I love to try new things like making compost tea.
There is a lot of growing time left to help my garden if I hurry.

[Mantis]

There will by many ways but I just put a small shovel full of compost in a 5 gal bucket and fill it with water. Give it a good stir evey time I go near it. After a few days I put maybe a litre in a 10 litre watering can , fill it with water and use.
Alfalfa meal sounds great. I think its the same as Lucerne that we have down here.

[Althea]

In response to your earlier question, you can't burn plants with alfalfa unless you use a lot of it, like a quart or two around a plant. The salts in animal manures burn plant roots if not composted.

The very best tea is aerated compost tea. It's easy to make a brewer with a five gallon bucket and a fish tank aerator. Here's a link to Soil Foodweb with descriptions of different teas and their qualities.

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/03_about_us/approach.html

The only negative thing about alfalfa tea, ime, is the smell after it brews for three days. I don't let it brew long enough to become too funky. Add some nettle and/or yarrow to the brew to soup it up. Each of those plants have a high level of micronutrients. Comfrey is another great addtion to compost and teas. I got a plant this year and added some to my ACT.