Neighbors Will Ask for a Secret: How to Grow Giant Vegetables Using Only the Materials You Have at Hand
Giant zucchini, carrots the size of a bottle and beets weighing 2 kg are not a fairy tale, but reality.
To do this, it is enough to know how to use what usually goes into the trash.
For example, used coffee grounds mixed with soil during planting saturate the soil with nitrogen and magnesium, which accelerates the growth of root crops. And water after boiling potatoes (cooled) contains starch, which, when watering tomato seedlings, makes their stems thicker and increases the yield.
Another life hack is banana peels: soak them in water for 3 days, then strain and spray cucumber leaves. Potassium in the composition strengthens the plants and increases the number of ovaries.
For giant cabbage, bury fish heads at the roots - they decompose, releasing phosphorus and calcium.
But the most unexpected method is watering with milk diluted in a ratio of 1:5 with water. Lactic acid bacteria suppress fungi, and calcium improves the structure of the fruit. These methods do not require costs, but give an effect that will make your neighbors jealous.
To achieve maximum results, combine methods. For example, after watering with potato water, add ash under the roots.
For pumpkins and squash, make a "nutrient pit": bury compost mixed with eggshells and coffee grounds to a depth of 30 cm. This will create a supply of nutrients for the entire season.
If you use fish, cover it with a 10-15 cm layer of soil so as not to attract animals. You can not only water the plant with milk, but also spray the leaves: this will protect against powdery mildew. And add banana infusion to the holes when planting peppers - they will become sweeter.
The main thing is not to overdo it: excess organic matter can cause fattening of plants (growth of foliage at the expense of fruits).
For pumpkins and watermelons, make "warm beds": dig a trench 40 cm deep, fill it with manure, and sprinkle soil on top. When decomposing, manure releases heat, accelerating growth. To prevent the fruit from rotting, put boards or straw under them.
For giant carrots, choose varieties like 'Autumn Queen' and plant them in loose soil with some sand. Stop watering a month before harvesting - this will increase the sweetness.
If you want to surprise everyone with the size of your tomatoes, remove the side shoots and leave no more than 4-5 clusters on the bush. Spray the plants with iodine solution every 10 days (5 drops per 10 liters of water) - this will speed up ripening.
And for giant peppers, add 1 teaspoon of sugar to the hole when planting - it stimulates root formation.
Do not forget about the importance of proper plant formation. For example, it is better to remove the first 2-3 ovaries of zucchini and pumpkins - this will direct the plant's energy to the development of the root system.
For beets and carrots, thin out the seedlings, leaving 8-10 cm between plants: overcrowding leads to deformation of the root crops. If you grow giant cabbage, tear off the lower leaves - this will allow the plant to direct resources to the head.
Another secret is tea leaves. Collect used tea bags, dry them and add them to the holes when planting. Tannin in tea improves the structure of the soil and also repels slugs. For tomatoes and peppers, use tea leaves as mulch: this will reduce moisture evaporation and enrich the soil with microelements.
Use eggshells not only as a source of calcium, but also as protection against slugs. Crush the shells into crumbs and scatter them around the plants - the sharp edges will scare away pests. For greater effectiveness, mix the shells with coffee grounds.
It is also important to consider the planting dates. For example, sow carrots for giant root vegetables at the end of June - this way they will avoid attacks by carrot flies. And plant cabbage seedlings on a cloudy day to avoid stress from the sun. For pumpkins and watermelons, choose the sunniest areas - they love warmth and light.
And the last piece of advice: experiment, but record the results. Keep a notebook where you will write down what methods you used and what harvest you got. This will help you find the ideal formula for your garden.
