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There has always been much discussion among gardeners and horticultural professionals as to the question, “Is it ok to compost tomatoes?” or, more specifically, spent tomato plants. Lets take a look at a few arguments against composting tomato plants and a discussion on the best way to compost your tomato plants should you choose to do so.
As a gardener, you likely end up with a surplus of tomato plants at the end of each growing season While some choose to throw them in the trash, composting tomato plants is a great way to recycle nutrients and improve your soil health However, there are some important factors to consider before tossing old tomato plants in the compost bin. In this detailed guide, we’ll go over the pros and cons of composting tomatoes and provide tips for doing it successfully.
Why Compost Tomato Plants?
Composting tomato plants has several benefits
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It reduces waste sent to landfills by recycling the plant material.
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It returns nutrients from the plants back into the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer Main nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace minerals.
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Compost improves soil structure, aeration, and moisture retention. The organic matter binds particles into a better growing medium.
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It attracts helpful organisms like earthworms and beneficial bacteria. These further enrich the soil.
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Specifically for tomatoes, their vines and leaves are rich in nitrogen and minerals that garden beds need.
As long as the plants are disease-free, most gardeners agree composting tomato plants is an eco-friendly way to reuse waste.
Risks of Composting Tomatoes
However, there are some potential risks to be aware of:
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Composting can spread disease if the plant is infected. Fungal diseases like early blight, Septoria leaf spot, fusarium and verticillium wilt can persist. Bacterial spot and canker are also problematic.
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The thick vines may not break down completely. This leaves chunks of material in the finished compost. Chopping the plants helps speed decomposition.
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Some seeds can survive and sprout the following season. These volunteers can become weeds in garden beds. Hot composting kills seeds.
To avoid issues, inspect plants closely and exclude any with disease symptoms. Maintain proper conditions in the compost pile to destroy pathogens and break down material.
Tips for Composting Tomato Plants
Follow these tips for safely composting tomato plants:
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Wait for a dry day, then allow plants to further dry before composting. This prevents mold.
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Chop or shred plants into smaller pieces to help them break down faster.
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Consider composting just the leaves/stems and disposing of thick vines.
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Layer plants with high-nitrogen “green” materials like grass clippings to balance the carbon-nitrogen ratio.
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Turn and mix the pile frequently to aerate.
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Monitor temperature and moisture in the pile. Water as needed to keep it moist but not soaked.
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Hot compost infected plants or all tomato plants as a precaution. Maintain 130-170°F to kill pathogens.
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Allow finished compost to cure for 2-4 weeks before using in beds to further reduce risks.
Composting Diseased Tomato Plants
It’s risky to compost diseased tomato plants as fungal and bacterial diseases can persist. However, viral diseases like tobacco mosaic virus are safer if the pile heats up sufficiently.
Ideally, identify and remove any diseased plants as soon as issues appear. Discard these in the trash rather than the compost pile. Hot composting is an option but preventing disease in the first place is key.
Crop rotation, staking, mulching, and drip irrigation all help keep tomato plants healthy and disease-free for composting.
Alternative Uses for Tomato Plants
If composting seems risky, here are other options:
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Add chopped plants to a worm composting bin for vermicompost.
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Use as a mulch by chopping and placing around plants.
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Bury vines/stems in empty garden beds to enrich the soil as they decompose.
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Place in yard waste collection if your city offers this service.
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Dry and burn as kindling in bonfires or fireplaces.
Composting tomato plants allows you to recycle nutrients, improve soil health, and reduce waste. Take care to prevent disease spread and volunteer sprouts when composting. Inspect plants, chop material, maintain proper conditions, and consider hot composting as a safeguard. With some diligence, reusing tomato waste through composting can benefit your garden without risks.
Is It Ok to Compost Tomatoes?
Once the gardening season has ended, there can be a great number of old tomato plants left lingering. Many gardeners feel that its essential to return the plants to the soil through composting. Others deem it far too risky when it comes to a possible spread of disease. Here are some reasons why many gardeners choose not to place tomato plants in compost:
- Composting may not kill all seeds – The composting process may not kill all of the remaining tomato seeds on the plant. This could create tomato plants popping up in random places throughout your garden.
- Composting spreads disease – Composting tomato plants can spread disease that could cause damage in the next years garden. Many diseases, such as fusarium wilt and bacterial canker, can survive the composting process, making them unwelcome visitors later on.
- Incomplete breakdown – Putting large tomato plants in compost piles can also create a problem, especially if the pile is not properly managed. Vines may not break down properly, creating an eyesore and a mess in the spring when it comes time to use the compost.
Compost or Trash Your Dead Tomato Plant?
FAQ
Can I put my tomato plants in compost?
NEVER EVER add tomato plants to your compost. They are full of blight and and will contaminate your compost. Throw them in the trash.
What vegetables should not be composted?
While most vegetable scraps are compostable, certain types should be avoided or used with caution in your compost pile. Avoid composting vegetables with signs of disease, those that attract pests (like onions and garlic), and those that decompose slowly or create undesirable conditions (like citrus peels).
What should I do with old tomato plants?
Toss the plants and all in a compost heap. Theyll break down faster if you break them up a bit. Then wash your pots with dish soap and youre good to plant new stuff in them with fresh soil.
Are rotten tomatoes good for compost?
Can I compost rotten tomatoes? Yes! The fruit that is. (Well, is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? It’s not as easy of an answer as you might think!) I do not compost tomato vines as they don’t tend to break down properly and can really make a mess of your compost pile.