Slovak gardeners advised on potassium fertiliser and soda spray to improve tomatoes and curb cucumber powdery mildew

Gardeners in Slovakia are advised to adjust fertilisation when tomatoes begin fruiting, shifting from nitrogen‑rich growth fertilizers to potassium‑rich sources such as wood ash. Adequate potassium helps plants use water efficiently, transports nutrients to the fruit, enhances sugar formation and improves size, taste and disease resistance.

For cucumbers, the common powdery mildew can be slowed by applying a homemade spray of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) mixed with water and a few drops of mild soap. The solution raises leaf surface pH, inhibiting spore germination. It should be applied early in the disease cycle, preferably in the morning or evening, and repeated every five to seven days or after rain. The spray is a preventive measure and works best on healthy, well‑ventilated plants.