How to Prepare Milk-Based Top Dressing
The process of making this top dressing is simple and requires only two ingredients: milk or whey and water. Follow these steps for preparation and application:
Ingredients:
1 liter of milk or whey
10 liters of warm water
Instructions:
Take one liter of milk or whey and dilute it in ten liters of warm water. The warm water helps in better mixing and enhances the activation of beneficial bacteria.
Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure the milk is evenly distributed in the water.
Apply this solution as a root top dressing to already moist soil. It is crucial to avoid applying the mixture to dry soil, as it may not be absorbed effectively.
Repeat the application two to three times per season:
First application: 10 to 14 days after planting seedlings.
Second application: Two weeks after the first feeding.
Third application: At the time of fruiting to ensure maximum nutrient uptake and yield.
Foliar Spraying for Disease Prevention
Apart from root feeding, this milk-based solution can also be used as a foliar spray to boost plant immunity against diseases such as late blight in tomatoes and downy mildew in cucumbers. When sprayed on leaves, the lactic acid bacteria create a thin protective film that prevents pathogens from penetrating the plant tissue.
How to Use as a Foliar Spray:
Pour the milk-based solution into a spray bottle or a garden sprayer.
Apply a fine mist over the leaves, ensuring even coverage but avoiding excessive dripping.
Conduct foliar spraying every 7 to 10 days, especially during humid weather when plants are more prone to fungal infections.
For best results, spray early in the morning or in the evening to prevent leaf burn caused by direct sunlight.
Additional Benefits of Using Milk-Based Top Dressing
Using milk or whey as a fertilizer goes beyond nutrient supply and disease prevention. It provides multiple additional benefits:
