You don't need to purchase expensive fertilizers! Your garden can thrive well with homemade fertilizers made out of natural ingredients from your backyard and pantry!
Plants primarily require three things to thrive and survive: Phosphorus, Potassium, and Nitrogen. While chemical fertilizers purchased from stores contain these nutrients, you can take better care of your plants without the harsh usage of chemicals by just making them yourself. Organic fertilizers can be made with ingredients that you already have on hand, and will probably just dump. Here are the five best DIY organic fertilizers that you can produce at home for a variety of needs.
Coffee Grounds Fertilizer
Several plants like rhododendron, tomatoes, blueberries, and roses thrive best in acidic soil. You can recycle your coffee beans to acidify your soil. There are many ways you can do this— either sprinkle and top dress the used coffee beans over the soil’s surface, or you can prepare “coffee” and pour it on the soil. Soak cups of used coffee grounds for at least seven days to make garden coffee, then use the concoction to water your acid-loving plants.
Eggshells
If you have used lime in your garden before, then you may know lime has the properties of an all-natural fertilizer, but if you want to save some money, there is a cheaper alternative to acquiring similar benefits. Take eggshells from your kitchen and wash them properly, preserve them, and crush them to use in your garden. Note that eggshells constitute 93 percent calcium carbonate, which is the scientific name for lime.
Molasses Tea Fertilizer
When you produce a compost tea using molasses, it helps to increase the presence of microbes and beneficial bacteria that the microbes usually feed on. This ensures the healthy growth of plants. To make molasses tea, mix two to three tablespoons of organic molasses into a gallon of water. Then simply use this tea on your plants at least once a week to watch them grow rapidly!
Banana Peels
We are fond of bananas for their potassium, and rose plants require potassium too. If you want to provide nourishment to your rose plant, bury banana peels in a pit alongside the rose bush to allow natural composting. You may also bury the peels into the top layer of the soil. Both approaches will offer potassium to ensure the rapid growth of your plants.
Grass Clippings Tea
If you have access to an organic lawn, collect grass clippings to utilize as an organic fertilizer on your gardens. About half an inch of grass clippings can make an incredible mulch for weed-blocking and it contains nitrogen, an essential nutrient for a lot of plants.
Irrespective of what plant you are growing, a combination of one or more of these homemade fertilizers will beautify your garden.
