Having a garden in your home doesn’t have to mean buying expensive chemical fertilizers. You can make effective plant food at home using natural ingredients. This guide will show you how to create your own fertilizers and plant foods using items you may already have around the house.
Why Make Your Fertilizers?
Store-bought chemical fertilizers can be costly and may contain harsh ingredients. By making your own, you can:
– Save money
– Use natural materials
– Control what goes into your soil
– Reduce waste by reusing kitchen scraps
Let’s explore some easy DIY fertilizer recipes you can try at home.
Compost Tea
Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer made by steeping compost in water. It’s rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes.
To make compost tea:
1. Fill a bucket 1/3 full with finished compost.
2. Add water until the bucket is full.
3. Let it sit for 3-4 days, stirring daily.
4. Strain the liquid.
5. Dilute with water at a 1:10 ratio before use.
Apply compost tea to soil or spray on leaves every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
Banana Peel Fertilizer
Banana peels are high in potassium, which helps plants develop strong roots and stems.
To make banana peel fertilizer:
1. Save banana peels in a container in the fridge.
2. Once you have 5-6 peels, chop them into small pieces.
3. Bury the pieces 1-2 inches deep in the soil around your plants.
The peels will break down over time, releasing nutrients into the soil.
Eggshell Fertilizer
Eggshells provide calcium, which prevents blossom end rot in tomatoes and other fruiting plants.
To make eggshell fertilizer:
1. Rinse and save eggshells.
2. Once dry, crush them into a fine powder.
3. Sprinkle the powder around the base of your plants.
You can also add crushed eggshells directly to your compost bin.
Coffee Ground Fertilizer
Used coffee grounds add nitrogen to the soil and improve drainage. They can also deter pests like slugs and snails.
To use coffee grounds as fertilizer:
1. Spread a thin layer of used grounds around plants.
2. Work the grounds into the top inch of soil.
Avoid using too much, as coffee grounds can make the soil acidic over time.
Grass Clipping Tea
Grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, making them great for leafy green plants.
To make grass clipping tea:
1. Fill a bucket 2/3 full with fresh grass clippings.
2. Add water until the bucket is full.
3. Let it steep for 3-4 days, stirring daily.
4. Strain the liquid.
5. Dilute with water at a 1:10 ratio before use.
Apply this tea to the soil around your plants every 2-4 weeks.
Seaweed Fertilizer
Seaweed is packed with trace minerals that boost plant growth.
To make seaweed fertilizer:
1. Collect seaweed from the beach (check local rules first).
2. Rinse off salt water.
3. Chop seaweed into small pieces.
4. Add to your compost bin or bury directly in the garden.
You can also make a liquid fertilizer by soaking chopped seaweed in water for several weeks.
Epsom Salt Solution
Epsom salt provides magnesium and sulfur, which help plants produce chlorophyll.
To make an Epsom salt solution:
1. Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with 1 gallon of water.
2. Water plants with this solution once a month.
This is especially good for tomatoes, peppers, and roses.
Fish Emulsion
Fish emulsion is a potent, fast-acting fertilizer high in nitrogen.
To make fish emulsion:
1. In a large bucket, mix 1 part fish scraps with 3 parts water.
2. Cover and let sit for 2-3 weeks, stirring occasionally.
3. Strain the liquid.
4. Dilute with water at a 1:10 ratio before use.
Warning: This process can be smelly. Consider doing it outdoors.
Worm Casting Tea
Worm castings are rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes.
To make worm-casting tea:
1. Add 1 cup of worm castings to a gallon of water.
2. Let it steep for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Strain the liquid.
4. Use full strength or dilute if desired.
Apply this tea to soil or spray on leaves every 2-4 weeks.
Wood Ash Fertilizer
Wood ash from your fireplace can provide potassium and calcium to your garden.
To use wood ash as fertilizer:
1. Spread a thin layer of cool ash around plants.
2. Work it into the top inch of soil.
Use sparingly, as too much can make the soil too alkaline.
Human Urine Fertilizer
While it may sound unusual, human urine is a free and effective nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
To use urine as fertilizer:
1. Collect urine in a container.
2. Dilute with water at a 1:10 ratio.
3. Apply to soil around plants, avoiding leaves.
Only use urine from healthy individuals not taking medications.
Green Manure
Green manure involves growing certain plants to improve soil health.
To use green manure:
1. Plant cover crops like clover, rye, or vetch.
2. Let them grow until just before they flower.
3. Cut them down and work them into the soil.
4. Wait 2-3 weeks before planting in that area.
This adds organic matter and nutrients to your soil.
Molasses Fertilizer
Molasses feeds beneficial soil microbes and add trace minerals.
To make molasses fertilizer:
1. Mix 1-3 tablespoons of molasses with 1 gallon of water.
2. Water plants with this solution once a month.
This works well for flowering and fruiting plants.
Tips for Using Homemade Fertilizers
– Start with small amounts and observe your plants’ response.
– Too much fertilizer can harm plants, so don’t overdo it.
– Always dilute liquid fertilizers unless otherwise stated.
– Apply fertilizers to moist soil to prevent root burn.
– Rotate between different types of fertilizers for balanced nutrition.
When to Fertilize
Most plants benefit from fertilizer during their active growing season. Here are some general guidelines:
– Vegetables: Every 3-4 weeks during the growing season
– Perennials: Once in spring and once in fall
– Trees and shrubs: Once in spring before new growth starts
– Lawns: 2-4 times per year, depending on grass type
Adjust based on your plant’s specific needs and your soil’s condition.
Soil Testing
Before applying any fertilizer, it’s a good idea to test your soil. This will tell you which nutrients your soil lacks and help you choose the right fertilizers.
You can buy soil test kits at garden centers or send samples to a local extension office for analysis.
Combining Fertilizers
You can combine different homemade fertilizers to create a more complete plant food. For example:
– Mix compost tea with seaweed fertilizer for a nutrient-rich brew
– Combine banana peel and eggshell fertilizers for a potassium and calcium boost
– Add coffee grounds to your compost bin to increase nitrogen content
Experiment to find combinations that work well for your plants.
Storage and Shelf Life
Most homemade liquid fertilizers should be used within a few days to a week. Solid fertilizers like crushed eggshells can be stored dry for months.
Always label your homemade fertilizers with the date and contents. Store them in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
Safety Precautions
While natural fertilizers are generally safe, take these precautions:
– Wear gloves when handling any fertilizer
– Wash your hands after applying fertilizers
– Keep fertilizers away from children and pets
– Don’t use meat or dairy products in outdoor compost bins, as they can attract pests
Try Natural Fertilizers on Your Garden
Making your natural fertilizers is an easy, cost-effective way to nourish your plants. By using materials you might otherwise throw away, you’re not only saving money but also reducing waste.
However, while fertilizers provide important nutrients, they work best in conjunction with good soil management practices like crop rotation, mulching, and proper watering.
Start experimenting with these DIY fertilizers and see how your garden grows. With a little patience and observation, you’ll soon discover which combinations work best for your plants.
