Fermented Tomato Leaf Spray
As the farm matures into Summer season, we're seeing more beneficial insects take up residence throughout the farm, like praying mantises, native pollinators, fireflies, and countless other insects that rely on diverse habitat and healthy soil to complete their life cycles. Many spend months hidden underground in grasses or attached to branches before emerging in early summer. Their presence is one of the clearest signs that ecological systems are becoming more healthy and established.
Of course, not every insect is a welcomed sign. This time of year also brings increased presence of aphids and other garden pests, especially in the kitchen garden where young plants can be vulnerable. Rather than reaching for store-bought synthetic sprays, we're experimenting with simple regenerative solutions by making a fermented tomato leaf extract. Because tomato leaves contain alkaloids that aphids dislike, the resulting spray can help deter aphids while allowing beneficial insects to continue doing their work.
As the landscape fills in, stewardship at Bloom means learning which relationships need tending and which can be left to unfold on their own.
Fermented Tomato
Leaf Aphid Spray
This recipe was first shared in our newsletter on June 10, 2026.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups tomato leaves and stems, roughly chopped
4 cups water
1 quart jar
METHOD
Place tomato leaves in a jar and cover with water.
Loosely cover and allow to ferment at room temperature for 3–7 days.
Strain the liquid.
Dilute approximately 1:5 with water before spraying.
Apply to affected plants in the early morning or evening.
Notes:
Best used on aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
Avoid spraying flowers directly when pollinators are active.
Test on a small section of a plant first before broad application.
Use fresh batches throughout the season rather than storing long-term.