Tomato growers advised on leaf removal and banana‑peel fertilizer

Gardeners are encouraged to speed up tomato ripening by carefully removing excess leaves. Removing lower, yellow or diseased leaves improves sunlight exposure and reduces fungal entry, while avoiding the removal of more than one‑third of foliage to prevent shock and sunburn on the fruit.

Banana peels are promoted as a high‑potassium organic fertilizer for tomatoes. After washing, the peels can be dried and ground into powder, steeped in water for a liquid feed, or buried near the roots. The potassium, phosphorus and micronutrients in the peels help strengthen cell walls, improve water use and increase disease resistance.

Both techniques aim to enhance fruit colour, flavour and overall plant health without relying on synthetic inputs.