Hey everyone! This is my first year gardening, and I put together a raised bed with cherry tomatoes. They thrived during the hot summer, but now with all the heavy rain, the tomatoes are bursting, rotting, or getting eaten by slugs before I can even pick them. The plants are starting to die back as well, so I've harvested all the remaining fruits and cut the plants down to stubs.
I'm wondering if I can just leave the stumps, roots, and any split or rotten tomatoes in the raised bed, add a fresh layer of compost on top, and let them decompose over the winter to enrich the soil. Or would it be better to toss them in the compost bin instead? I'm assuming they won't sprout next year from any seeds left in the fallen fruit, but I want to know if there are any problems with my plan. Also, does anyone have tips on what to do with all these semi-ripe or green tomatoes?
3 Answers
Totally get the frustration! If you're concerned about blight, just remove everything and compost it properly. I’ve noticed that fallen tomatoes tend to sprout unwanted plants, which can become a nuisance. If you're looking for uses for those semi-ripe tomatoes, consider making green tomato chutney or frying them. They can also be ripened indoors if you have a warm spot!
In my experience, tomatoes can re-seed and sprout if you leave them in the soil, but it's risky if blight was present. You've got a good idea to add compost on top, but make sure to compost the leftover plants and fruits instead. That way, you can prevent potential diseases. And just to be safe, consider rotating crops in the future to keep your soil healthy and avoid annoying pests.
I wouldn't leave the fallen tomatoes in your raised bed if you plan to grow tomatoes there again. Last year, I ended up with a surprise tomato plant from seeds left in the soil, and it’s not always a good thing. Not to mention, reusing the same soil can raise the risk of blight or other diseases. What I usually do is remove the tops of the soil where tomatoes have grown and use that elsewhere to avoid pests and diseases. Stick to composting the plants and any spoiled fruit!