[The Bat Lady]

found a weird one this week, gonna give it a try. Milk is good for pastures and tomatoes and other plants.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/milk-and-molasses-magic-zbcz1402

not a big fan of Mother earth, I prefer the conservative Backwoods Home magazine but the milk bit sounds good.

[matthew fuller]

Here are some more weird ones- have not tried any....

http://www.ehow.com/about_6668547_coconut-water-plant-growth.html

http://www.naturallivingideas.com/weird-garden-remedies/

[Redleg Duke]

Great link! Led to a supper article on composting.

Thanks!

[Qiviut]

On a plant by plant basis (rather than pasture/compost/garden level), I use powdered milk to prevent blossom end rot on my tomatoes. Several years back, my cousin asked an old farmer at the general store (still have one where he lives) how he always has such beautiful tomatoes. The answer was ‘powdered milk’. I now put a couple of tablespoons in the hole along with some Tomato Tone, sprinkle a little dirt so the roots aren’t in direct contact, then plant my little tomato. I have had no problems since I’ve been doing this (neither has my cousin). Evidently the calcium in powdered milk is in a form that the tomato plants can easily “take up”.

When I first heard about the milk, it was a bit past mid-summer, the tomato plants were already big & already having issues. Since it was way past planting, I mixed the powdered milk with water & gave the plants a good drink - that definitely improved the situation - anything that already didn’t have blossom end rot never got it. My cousin, for his large plants, will sprinkle the powdered milk in the soil around the plant, mix it in a bit & let it water in, either with rain or if he has to water the garden.

[tillacum]

Thanks for the milk molasses article. I’ve used dried molasses to keep the fire ants away from my plants, but to add milk. I wonder if this combination will rid our community garden of snails. I’m going to try it.