How to Make a Tomato Spray
When growing tomatoes, we need to learn how to make a tomato spray that will protect our tomatoes from disease. Especially if you live in a humid climate and are susceptible to a lot of diseases. Well I have found just what we all need. I tried for a season to make sure it works before deciding to share it.
Those Lovely Tomatoes
I can't describe it, but there's just nothing like growing tomatoes. At least not for me anyway. Those beautiful green bushes as they climb up, up, up with those tiny little yellow blossoms that will soon develop into a luscious tomato. Have you ever eaten a tomato that still holds the warmth of the sun? If you haven't and you like tomatoes, you've got to give it a try. For me, there's just nothing like it.
How the Tomato Spray Works
Unfortunately, no matter what varieties you enjoy growing, disease will more times than not, raise it's ugly head. How disappointing when you have babied, loved, and watched those tomato vines as they grow. Ensuring they have enough water, but not too much. Just the right kind of fertilizer at just the right time...and then Disease!?! I know how you feel. And last fall I tried something to fight off disease and it was amazing. That's why today, I'm so excited to share it with you. 😀
This Disease Resistant Spray is not only easy to make but very inexpensive. It's not organic, but it is made with things that have been decided by the FDA that they are safe for us, the humans, to consume. So what is it? Aspirin. Low dose aspirin. And what happens is that when the tomato plants are sprayed, they feel as though they are being attacked which cases them to put up a barrier in order to protect themselves. Now you've got to admit, that's pretty cool.
Is the Tomato Spray for Tomatoes ONLY?
Oh no! This spray can be used on anything in the nightshade family. Such as eggplant, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes.
The Recipe:
Add 600 mg. of uncoated low-dose aspirin to 1 cup of very warm water and let them dissolve. I use seven 81 mg. aspirin per gallon of water which actually comes to 567 mg and it works. After a few minutes, stir with a spoon and crush any remaining that hasn't completely dissolved. It is very important that the aspirin is completely dissolved because any little chunks left could, and probably would, stop up your sprayer and you really don't want that! It's a real pain to get unstopped once it's plugged.
Next, add the aspirin mixture to a sprayer, and add cool water to bring the mixture to the gallon mark. Shake or mix well.
NOTE: Do Not use coated aspirin. They will not dissolve in water and nearly impossible to fully grind up. Once again, you really don't want a stopped up sprayer.
How to Apply the Tomato Spray
Once you have transplanted the tomato plants (night shades) to the garden, spray well with the aspirin mixture until it drips from the leaves. Be sure to get under the leaves as well. Repeat this process every 2 weeks and especially before it rains.
So, say you just sprayed your tomato plants a week ago and it's about to rain. That's okay! Spray then again before that rain comes because with rain can come disease. The rain beats down on the ground splashing all kind of things up on the leaves of your plants that can cause disease. That's why it's really important to keep any tomato leaves from touching the ground. Keep them trimmed. But we'll talk more about caring for tomato plants in a later post.
Disclaimer:
Some of the links above are affiliate links which means that I receive a small commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I would use myself.
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Once you have tried this amazing Disease Resistant Spray for Tomato Plants (and all night shades too), I'd love it if you would give this post 5 stars and tag us @SimplyMadeHomestead on Instagram with a photo of your Tomato Spray.
Happy Gardening!
Marian
If you ever have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd love to hear from you!
