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Humus and Peat Moss act as pH stabilizers in the soil for better plant growth and more substantial blooms. They also help in absorbing much greater amounts of water and nutrients than most native soils can do on their own. It must be noted, however, that these do not add much in the way of nutritional value in and of themselves, so supplementary feeding/fertilization is still necessary for optimal results.
Why are slow-release fertilizers preferred? Although these are considerably higher priced than their water-soluble counterparts, they are better for both the plant and the environment. First, they feed the plant over a 6-8 week period which allows the plant to actually use the majority of the fertilizer (as opposed to the water-soluble varieties, which release the bulk of their nutrients within 7 days of application). This obviously results in less nitrogen released into the soil, which in turn reduces leaching into the groundwater as happens when a 100% water-soluble product is applied.
Many of my customers keep gardens, and most of these grow tomato plants. Too often, these become leggy and either and produce more plant than fruit or are unable to support their fruit. To prevent this you can strip the lower levels off the stem, dig an angled trench next to it and plant the stem there. Cover it well with soil and it will begin growth of a new, lower-based plant.
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