Peat as fertilizer for potatoes and tomatoes
To improve the quality and quantity of the potato and tomato crop, peat is used, among other types of organic fertilizers. Peat is the rotted and compressed remains of various plants and animals, from which a layer of biomass is formed. New layers are added every year, and this is how peat is obtained.
Peat types
Depending on the level at which the components are decomposed, peat is of three types:
- the upper layer is not yet decomposed, which includes plants such as moss;
- lowland - completely decomposed remains of trees, bushes, animals;
- transitional or intermediate - a layer of peat between the first two types.
Advantages and disadvantages of peat as fertilizer
Top layer peat is used only as mulch in combination with sawdust, manure, and straw waste. As for the lowland and transitional layers, since they have increased acidity, they are used as fertilizer not in pure form, but in combination with other dressings.
The advantages of peat include the features of its fibrous structure, which improves the condition of the soil. The soil fertilized with peat becomes more water and air permeable, which has a positive effect on the root system of plants.
Peat used as a compost fertilizer for growing potatoes and tomatoes on poor clay or sandy soils. This allows you to create more suitable conditions for the development of plants and significantly increase their yield.
Peat composting methods
On a personal plot, you can create two types compost using peat to fertilize potatoes and tomatoes: focal and layered.
To create focal compost, a half-meter layer of peat must be laid on a special area. Manure is placed on top with a layer of no more than 80 cm, if it is not enough, you can add slurry or spread the manure in separate foci. During the stacking process, add potash mixtures and, if necessary, lime. Water the compost heap regularly in summer.
When laying layered compost, layers of peat and manure you need to alternate with each other. To prevent the slurry from getting into the ground, the layer thickness should be at least 50 cm. The last layer of peat should be put in the heap and covered with earth from the garden. The total height of the heap is a maximum of one and a half meters. Layered compost also needs to be watered and shoveled a couple of times to mix the layers.
How and when to fertilize potatoes and tomatoes with peat
When using peat for fertilization potatoes a stronger effect will appear in the second year. Peat manure can be used in spring or autumn. Fertilizer is spread evenly over the entire site at the rate of 30-40 kg per 1 sq. m and dug up. Lime is used to lower the acidity.
Tomatoes are fertilized in the same way: per 1 sq. m of soil, 4 kg of compost is introduced and a tomato garden is dug up.