Tomatoes will grow strong and pest-free if you put 1 kitchen item in the soil

Tomato plants are heavy feeders known for their fast growth and large yields. However, this means they require more nutrients than other plants to ensure they grow and produce fruits effectively. The most important nutrients that the plants require include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Calcium, magnesium and iron are also very important for the development of tomato plants, with calcium especially playing a major role in tackling blossom end rot. While many of these essential components can be found in store-bought fertilisers, this one thing that you have at home and usually throw away is actually just as beneficial for your tomato plant.

The next time you cook some eggs, don't bother getting rid of the shell. Eggshells contain important nutrients that can enrich your compost pile or feed plants, including tomatoes, reports Gardening Know How.

The kitchen scrap benefits tomato plants in several ways, from improving the overall health right down to repelling pests and preventing diseases.

Eggshells can be used in various ways. Gardeners can simply grind them down and add them to the soil, allowing the tomato plants to take them up through the roots.

Another way, that is even simpler, is to add broken eggshells to the soil. What this does is improve the structure by loosening and allowing more oxygen and water to follow through.

Broken eggshells are also good for deterring a particular slimy pest that can completely destroy plants. Slugs are a nightmare for many gardeners as the little animals leave slime trails, leave holes in plants, and feed on seedlings.

However, thanks to the sharp edges and drying effects of broken eggshells, placing them in the soil will help keep the leaf munchers away from tomato plants.

When using eggshells as a fertiliser, ensuring that they are clean and dry will make things easier. The website said: "Clean, dry eggshells are also easier to pulverize, which is the next step. You want to crush or grind the shells into the smallest pieces possible.

"Like compost, the shells need to be broken down pretty well to be incorporated into the soil and for the plant roots to take up nutrients from them."