Whether you have a sprawling backyard or… balcony gardenPlants can make a beautiful addition to our homes.
Besides maintenance watering and feeding your precious plants or Home grown vegetablesThey also need good fertilizer to give them nutrients and a health boost. The main nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – which are found in most commercial fertilizers.
But did you know that you can make homemade compost using simple things in your kitchen? Actually, this surprising elements (which we often throw away), they all contain the same essential nutrients needed to help your plants grow healthy and green. Without these nutrients, your plants will show signs of deficiency, such as yellowing or wilting leaves.
Best of all, it’s environmentally friendly, and much cheaper than buying commercial fertilizer – saving you money on your bills. So before you throw away any household items, you might want to try one of these easy ways to make homemade compost, and help your plants thrive.
1. White vinegar and water
We all know white vinegar is a great natural cleaner, but it can also be used as a fertilizer. This is because the acetic acid in vinegar is a natural way to increase acidity in soil—especially if the soil’s pH levels are out of balance. For example, acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, gardenias, roses, hibiscus, and others need an acidic soil pH around 6 to thrive.
Simply mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with 4 1/4 cups (1 liter) of water to get a solution. Then water your plants every three months or so. Experts suggest using this as an alternative to soil acidifiers and household fertilizers. To check acidity levels, you can invest in a pH meter such as the SONKIR Soil pH Meter ($10, Amazon), to ensure that your soil is in good condition.
In fact, white vinegar is an effective weed killer, and it can repel all kinds of pests like insects, slugs, snails, ants, and other common pests. However, never use undiluted white vinegar, and avoid that too 7 things you should never clean with white vinegar.
2. Mowed grass tea
After mowing the lawn, we tend to collect or compost the waste. However, grass clippings are high in nitrogen and can be so Reused in many ways.
To make your own lawn mowed compost, take a bucket and fill it two-thirds of the way with fresh clippings. Then fill the rest with water before covering it with a lid or gauze.
Keep the bucket in the shade, allowing the solution to “ferment” for one to two weeks. Next, carefully fill a watering can/cup and pour it around the base of plants or vegetables or around shrubs.
Alternatively, you can use a clean spray bottle to mist your potted plants and in the garden. Not only will this provide all the minerals your yard needs, but it will also give your plants a health boost. Consider using your homemade fertilizer one at a time, and avoid storing leftovers because they will start to stink.
3. Epsom salts
Besides being used in our relaxing baths, to relieve sore muscles, Epsom salts are also great for reviving plants! These salts contain magnesium and sulfur, which are essential phytonutrients.
To make an Epsom salt fertilizer, simply dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in a gallon of water in a spray bottle. Mix the solution well before spraying plants every two to four weeks. Alternatively, you can apply Epsom salts directly to the soil once a month. Experts recommend applying one teaspoon of salt for every foot of plant area.
Keep in mind that tropical palms and carnivorous plants will not benefit from Epsom salts, as they already live in mineral-poor soil. These include insect-eating plants, Venus flytraps, sun plants, and pitcher plants.
4. Leftover eggshells
Before you throw away eggshells at breakfast, why not throw them on your plants? The eggshells are filled with calcium carbonate, which is also the main component of the dolomite lime that is commonly used at Liming your garden. Eggshells also maintain pH balance, neutralizing acidity.
First, let your peel air dry before crushing it or putting it in a blender until it becomes a powder. Then sprinkle the husk powder around the base of your potted plants or your garden plot. Its nutrients will be absorbed into the soil, as the shells break.
Not only will this natural fertilizer ensure healthy soil, but it will also promote better growing conditions for plant growth. In addition, eggshells can also be used for drainage material and allow enough oxygen to enter root systems, especially if overwatered.
5. Green tea leaves
You may enjoy drinking it, but green tea can also make an effective homemade fertilizer. This is because the leaves are full of potassium and phosphorous and are high in nitrogen, all of which encourage plant growth.
Simply fill the container with water and green tea leaves, and allow the solution to steep for 24 hours. You can then either filter the tea first or pour the mixture directly onto plant beds to prevent plant diseases and protect the roots. This also keeps pests and insects at bay – eliminating the use of toxic chemicals found in commercial insecticides.
6. Ground coffee
We’re not the only ones who need a dose of caffeine to get us going! Coffee grounds are also great for fertilizing your plants and improving soil conditions. This is because they are loaded with key nutrients including high levels of nitrogen, calcium, potassium and magnesium – all of which are essential for healthy soil and plant growth.
First, wait for the used coffee grounds to dry before spraying them on your favorite houseplants. You can also spread the granules directly on the soil of your plant beds, which may improve drainage, water retention, and aeration in the soil.
7. Banana peel water
Likewise, don’t throw away your banana peels, as they make an ideal homemade fertilizer for your plants. Banana peels are full of potassium and calcium, which nourish plants and promote root growth. It is always best to use organic banana peels, which should be free of chemicals.
You can apply the husks directly to the potted plant’s soil, or they can be used as mulch around the base of your garden. Once the peel of the fruit has decomposed into the soil, it will disperse the essential nutrients into the soil.
Alternatively, you can make a liquid fertilizer by adding the husks to a glass container of water. Close the lid tightly and let it steep for a few days or a week. Next, remove the husks and use the water from a spray bottle to fertilize your plants. Moreover, banana peels are known to fight off pests.