I have problems with soil pH because my tap waters pH is 7.8, you can use white or apple cider vinegar to lower it,
start at 1/2 Tbsp added to 1 Gal water and adjust from there, careful not to add too much as it can kill your plants.
Tea leaves contain all the big three nutrients, N-P-K, as well as some trace minerals.
Sprinkle the used leaves on the soil and gently scratch them in.
Don't know about diatomaceous earth, but a pyrethrin & garlic spray seems to work fairly well,
becareful using liquid soaps as some of them are petroleum based and can burn your plants!
Thanks Daz, very useful info.
QUOTE: You can also try brunnings tomato and veg food...
This is exactly what I use with a humus compost to help water retention.
I've never used them before but have just bought some for next crop, hoping on a better germination rate, I did read though that it is better to remove the netting before potting up.
Good point, when it's hot without a tray you can be watering everyday or more, I don't have any trays so I use a humus compost on top of my soil when it is hot, this helps the soil stay moist longer.