I Learned This Weird Tomato-Growing Hack From a Friend—And It’s Actually Genius

Tomato season is *this* close, you guys. We can practically taste the savory sauces and fresh summer salads we’ll be making in just a couple months.

You may even be planning to grow your own tomatoes this year—because, hey, why not?

It’s sustainable, economical, and rewarding as heck. But before you grab your straw hat and shovel, Farmer John, heed this warning: Growing fat and juicy tomatoes isn't a gimme, and there’s nothing more disappointing than a mediocre tomato. It takes a certain amount of knowledge and skill that I do not currently have.

What I do have, though, is a family friend who grows the greatest tomatoes of all time. They’re red, they’re plump, and they grow in abundance. So, I asked her how she does it—and her answer was quite a doozy.

You ready for this? You’re probably not, but I’m going to tell you anyway: FISH HEADS.

She straight-up plants them in the ground, Pet Sematary-style.

And apparently she’s not alone in this practice—people have been doing it for centuries.

Here’s how it works:

The fish parts (most gardeners use heads, but any part will work) provide nitrogen and calcium during decomposition. These nutrients encourage healthy leaf and branch growth.

It’s a weird world, folks.

Here’s a pro-tip from gardening blog Raise Your Garden: Freeze the fish first. That way you won’t have to deal with any unpleasant smells.

Wondering what to do with your abundance of fresh, home-grown tomatoes? Check out our collection of 37 Fresh Tomato Recipes for Peak Tomato Season for delicious inspiration.