Save The Scraps From This Summer Fruit For Thriving Tomato Plants

There are many ways to improve our gardens with kitchen scraps we usually discard. Aside from going in the compost, certain fruits and veggies can help plants in other ways, such as deterring pests or serving as fertilizers. If you're growing tomatoes, you might also be growing a summer fruit that's hiding benefits for your tomatoes in its peel: cucumbers. Yes, just like tomatoes, they are indeed a fruit.

Instead of throwing them out, you can use cucumber peels and scraps to make a nutrient-filled water that can also help combat mites for an easy hack with a double benefit — as a fertilizer and a pest deterrent. Cucumber peels contain potassium and phosphorus, two of the primary nutrients found in commercial plant fertilizers. Phosphorus is essential for developing roots and promoting new growth, while potassium helps with flower and fruit formation.

Ideally, the best way to know if your tomatoes — or any other garden plants — need fertilizer is to have the soil tested. That way, you will know exactly what's needed for the tomatoes to thrive. For potted plants, you may need less additional fertilizer since potting mix often includes nutrients to help plants thrive. That said, using cucumber water in moderation is unlikely to hurt. While it's not a complete fertilizer, cucumber-infused water may provide small amounts of nutrients while hydrating your plants, especially if you planted your tomatoes late in the summer. Think of it as a "spa treat" for your tomato plants — you know how refreshing it is to sip on cucumber water when it's brutally hot outside.

Making cucumber water could not be easier. Grab a handful of the peels, and place them in a jar with a lid. Cover them with water, secure the lid, and let it sit for four to five days, undisturbed, until the water acquires a greenish tint. Strain out the peels to avoid souring, add them to the compost, and use the liquid to give your plants a mild boost of moisture and trace minerals.

You can use the cucumber infusion to water the plants or spray it directly onto the leaves, which may help you keep pests away from your plants. Cucumbers and related plants from the Cucurbitaceae family (melons, pumpkins, squashes, and the like) contain cucurbitacins, bitter compounds that the plants produce naturally as a defense against certain herbivores and pests. These are the culprits when the cucumbers from your garden taste bitter, so why not use them to your advantage?

Cucurbitacins may help deter some pests, and if you're dealing with mites, spraying plants with water can physically knock them off the leaves. Increasing humidity may also make conditions less favorable for spider mites, which generally thrive in hot, dry environments. Spray the plants thoroughly with the cucumber water to knock off the bugs, and repeat as needed to discourage them from coming back.