There are many myths associated with using citrus peels in your home garden: They can be too acidic for your compost pile, don’t break down easily, and will kill beneficial microbes, among others. These doubts might make you wonder if it’s one of the food scraps that can be used to fertilize your garden, particularly your tomato garden. The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no. Using your leftover citrus peels can indeed benefit your tomato crops when composted or used as a form of fertilizer. However, due to the acidity of citrus peels and their long decomposition process, applying them with care is crucial to ensure the health and safety of your tomato garden.
Tomatoes need slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8, to grow and thrive. Due to their citric acid content, citrus peels have a high acidic value that can significantly alter your soil’s acidity, especially when composted. If you have alkaline soil unsuitable for tomato growth, the peels can be used to improve your soil’s acidity. However, if your soil is already acidic or slightly acidic, adding citrus peels could negatively impact the growth of your tomato crops.
Composting citrus peels can be a lengthy process, taking up to six months in favorable conditions. Fortunately, there are ways to hasten the process, especially if you live in a hot region. To speed up decomposition, chop the peels into smaller pieces and bury them in your compost pile. You should then turn the pile once a week to boost oxygen levels.
Citrus peels as a fertilizer and natural pesticide
Tomatoes require a significant amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to thrive through their developmental stages. As citrus peels decompose, particularly orange peels, they release a substantial amount of these nutrients into the soil. In addition, orange peels contain limonene, a natural compound used in many pesticides to combat ants and aphids, which are persistent pests in a tomato garden. However, since citrus peels don’t easily biodegrade, leaving them around your tomato garden may attract other pests like slugs and snails. If you want to use orange peels to keep pests out of your plants and help feed your tomatoes, consider a DIY liquid fertilizer.
For a large batch, soak the peels from roughly 12 oranges in 2 or 3 gallons of water for three days. Strain the water, and use the resulting mixture to irrigate your tomato plants. For a smaller amount and to use every bit of the peels, blend the skin of two oranges with a small amount of water for one minute, then add 1 teaspoon of water after mixing to ensure the product is a liquid suitable for watering your tomato garden. This is especially effective against insect infestations. These are just a couple of the many DIY tomato fertilizers to help your plants thrive and repurpose your citrus scraps.
