Translated by Nick R
On previous occasions, we talked about the importance of fertilizing your plants. There are many products that you have at home and you can use them in your garden or home garden to nourish your plants.
Therefore, we invite you to read this blog in which you’ll learn about the benefits of producing your own fertilizers. In addition, we’ll show you 9 household items that you can use, how to apply them and how they’ll help your plants.
Table of Contents
Benefits of making homemade fertilizers
Initially, one of the things to keep in mind is you’d be using products that you probably have at home, or that you usually throw away without taking advantage of them.
Besides, thanks to this you’ll save money since those products offer several micro and macronutrients. Or you can also combine these products with other market fertilizers.
To do this it’s good to alternate them so that the plants can receive multiple nutrients rather than being overloaded with only one of them. That is, if this month you use a certain chemical fertilizer, next month you can add eggshells to provide calcium while the following, you would use another type of fertilizer or switch back to the aforementioned chemical fertilizer.
Finally, another benefit is that you’ll be providing nutrients to the plants or improving the quality of the soil. In this way, you’ll be boosting the yield and vigor of your plants. In addition, some of the products we are going to mention also help protect your crops from pests and diseases.
6 homemade fertilizers using only 1 product
Now we’ll tell you which products you can use on your plants to provide them with nutrients. The best thing is that they are easy to obtain or that you probably already have at home.
Eggshells
Let’s remember that the macronutrient calcium (Ca) strengthens the structure of the plant cell wall, besides favoring the process of nutrient absorption. And since eggshells are composed of calcium carbonate, they are an excellent way of incorporating this mineral into the soil.
Likewise, thanks to this cell wall strengthening, plants have greater resistance to disease and their cells are protected to prevent pathogen invasion. Calcium also influences the quality of the fruit.
Procedure for preparing eggshell fertilizer
To start, little by little, you can store the eggshells instead of throwing them away. However, be sure to rinse them thoroughly and leave them in an open container to dry.
By doing this cleaning process you are eliminating any bacteria that may be present, such as salmonella. However, if you want to be completely sure, you can boil the peels or put them in the oven at 200 °F or 93 °C for 10 minutes or a little more.
Afterwards, we recommend grinding the peels very well in a blender to form a powder, or at least make sure they are crushed as finely as possible.
That’s because large pieces of husk decompose too slowly to serve as a soil amendment. Whereas when they are used well shredded or practically powdered, they degrade more easily.
Application of the eggshell fertilizer
If it’ll be applied to potted plants, you can make several holes in the soil with the help of a finger or a spoon; however, they should be away from the stem to avoid affecting the plant since the intention is to let the roots absorb the nutrients.
In small pots, you can apply about ¼ cup of crushed peels and then increase the amount depending on the size of the plant. Of course, do this once a month because overloading the soil with calcium won’t be beneficial for the plants.
Another way to apply them is to use a spoon or a hand shovel to spread under the soil and around the pot edge. Similarly, you can also place them in the substrate when transplanting a plant.
For application in your garden soil, simply make a large circle around the plant, place the peels and cover them with a little soil.
Milk
That’s right, this drink is not only good for humans, but also for plants. This is thanks to its antifungal and pesticide properties and the fact that it helps them grow.
Milk contains nutrients such as calcium, vitamin B and sugars that are good for plants, as it improves their overall health and thus their performance. As we were saying, it can also be used as a pesticide to combat aphids and reduce the impact of the mosaic virus. In addition, it works as an antifungal agent to prevent powdery mildew.
The microbes that feed on the fertilizer components of milk are also beneficial for improving soil structure. However, there may be some odor during the first few days, so keep that in mind and don’t be scared off by it.
Something you should keep in mind is that this fertilizer is used and recommended among gardening enthusiasts, who speak from experience. However, there is no scientific source that supports or validates the benefits of milk in plants.
Procedure for preparing milk fertilizer
Now, the implements you need are: whole milk, water and a bottle. While some people will tell you that any type of milk will work, including powdered milk, we tell you that whole milk retains more properties since it hasn’t been through as many treatments.
Likewise, you can use expired milk. This will be fantastic because you’ll be giving it another use instead of throwing it away and your plants will appreciate it.
What you should do is mix equal parts of milk and water: preferably stagnant, rainwater, or water that you have let stand a day before. Also, you can use 1 glass of milk for every 3 glasses of water, and you’ll obtain its benefits as well.
Place this liquid in a bottle with its respective lid so that you can store it and keep it in your refrigerator for 2 months with no problem.
Application of the milk fertilizer
It’s important that you apply the fertilizer regularly to get the desired results. So you can apply the milk-based fertilizer once a week in spring and summer, or once every 2 weeks in autumn and winter.
You can apply it to the soil using the bottle in which you put the fertilizer or put the liquid in a watering can. In any case, there is no problem if the leaves get the solution, but they must dry quickly and before receiving strong sunlight.
It’s also possible to alternate the use of this homemade product with other pesticides or chemical fertilizers, just don’t use them at the same time so as not to affect the milk components that help the plants.
Coffee
Every time you brew a cup of coffee, you end up with a tremendous source of organic matter. That’s since coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, magnesium and potassium, all essential plant nutrients. They are also naturally acidic, so they will increase the acidity of the soil.
Let us remind you that coffee grounds are the residues left from the preparation of this beverage, also known as “cuncho” or “borra” in some countries. On the other hand, they contain large amounts of nitrogen (N) macronutrient, that strengthen the stems and leaves of the plants.
Granulated or powdered coffee or the beverage itself can also be used. However, what could be better than using what would otherwise be discarded in the garbage.
Procedure for preparing coffee fertilizer
As we mentioned, coffee grounds increase the soil acid level, which is good for acidic plants such as hydrangeas, begonias, roses, bromeliads, or crops such as tomatoes, strawberries, etc.
However, you can rinse the coffee residues so that the pH neutralizes and thus doesn’t affect the acidity of the soil. This will depend on the type of plants you have in your garden or vegetable garden.
Then you simply need to collect the coffee grounds after coffee brewing. If you prefer to use it liquid, add 1 glass of water to 1 glass of coffee. In other words, mix equal parts of water and coffee.
Application of the coffee fertilizer
Its application is very simple. You simply place the coffee grounds around your plants, either for pots or on the ground, keeping them away from the stems. Keep in mind that this method also allows you to keep certain pests away from the garden as they don’t like its strong smell.
The liquid coffee will be added simply by watering the soil, just as you would do normally, but without wetting the plant’s leaves.
You can use it on your crops 1 or 2 times per month depending on the type of plants you are fertilizing. Also, ideally, you should see the changes in the leaves and flowers. That way you’ll know if this fertilizer is working as it is supposed to.
Onion
When using onion for cooking recipes, don’t throw away its peel or skin but use it to create an organic fertilizer rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and copper. The best part is that any kind of onion will do just fine.
This way, you’ll have stronger and more resistant plants to pests and diseases. Besides, you can use the onion at any phase of the plant, for example, during its growth or before flowering.
Procedure for preparing onion fertilizer
It’s very easy, you’ll only need onion skins which you can collect little by little, rested or rainwater and a bottle. Then, you will trim the skins with a pair of scissors so that you can extract the nutrients more quickly.
You’ll take 1 or 2 handfuls of onion skins per liter of water and use a bottle to store them for at least 3 days, after which time your fertilizer will be ready.
Application of the onion fertilizer
You can spray your plants in a foliar way, which is by spraying the water with an atomizer or watering can, so that all parts of the plant get covered. Alternatively, you can water the soil as usual. Repeat this process every 15 days consistently so that you can achieve rewarding results.
You can store this fertilizer in your refrigerator for 1 or 2 months. This doesn’t mean that after this time the product will be spoiled, but that it will no longer have the same properties as it did at the beginning.
Banana peels
Surely it doesn’t surprise you to find banana peels in this top and it’s only thanks to their content of macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).
When we talked about coffee grounds, we mentioned a bit about the benefits of nitrogen in plants. But, on the other hand, phosphorus influences the growth and development of roots and potassium participates in photosynthesis and facilitates water absorption.
Procedure for preparing banana peels fertilizer
You can keep the banana peels in a container and then use them in this fertilizer, although you probably want to do it quickly so that it doesn’t attract mosquitoes to your home.
Now, the best way is to prepare tea with the banana peel so that its nutrients can be distributed in the soil easily. Well, something similar to eggshells happens because when you put the banana skins on the soil the decomposition process is somewhat delayed.
So, in 1 liter of boiling water add approximately 3 crushed banana peels and leave it over medium heat for 10 – 15 minutes. When the liquid has cooled, you’ll strain it and store it in a bottle. Of course, you’ll mix half tea and half water for later use.
Application of the banana peels fertilizer
You need to pour the tea that we just taught you every 15 days on your plants. You can wet the stems and leaves without any problem.
Ashes
The ash should only be made from organic matter such as logs and newspapers because charcoal and plastic will poison the soil. Now, if you have a chimney and want to use the ash, you get from it; you should also consider the type of wood.
For example, if you use hardwoods like oak and maple, the nutrients and minerals in the ash will be much higher. Whereas with ashes obtained by burning mainly softwoods such as pine, the properties will be lower.
Among the benefits, the ash is rich in potassium and calcium carbonate. It’s useful for controlling pests such as slugs and snails for the salt it contains will kill them. Also, if your soil is too acidic, this product will help you balance the pH. Keep in mind not to use this fertilizer on acidic plants.
Application of the ashes fertilizer
Since it doesn’t require any kind of procedure, let’s go straight to the application. All you have to do is take a handful of ashes and apply it around the plant. The bigger the plant, the bigger the amount you would need to use.
It’s good to apply the ashes on a small area around the plant. Also, you should apply them on a day with not too much wind or somewhere far away from air currents so that they don’t fly away. On the other hand, we recommend that you use protection elements such as gloves, a mask or face mask and goggles.
Finally, perform this procedure once a month, but alternate it with another type of organic or chemical fertilizer.
3 organic and effective rooting fertilizers for your plants
Now, we’re going to recommend to you 3 homemade fertilizers special to help your plants or cuttings to root.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon as a rooting agent is as useful as any chemical hormone that you can get in the market. In addition, it’s a lot less expensive and will serve you well for uses around the home as well.
So, cinnamon can stimulate root development in almost all kinds of plants and just a single application will suffice. The best is that by doing this you also protect them against the appearance of diseases, especially with the sprouts that are growing.
Also, if one of your plants has a wound, you can apply cinnamon to help it heal. Finally, in case you have ants problems, this product is a good deterrent as ants don’t like to walk on this powder.
Application of the cinnamon fertilizer
If you have the cinnamon powder in a jar, all you have to do is take the cutting and sprinkle some of the powder all over its base. You can do the same when transplanting a plant that you want to reinforce its roots.
If you have it in a bag, for your convenience, you can place a little on a napkin and wrap it around the stem to impregnate it with cinnamon.
Lentils
Lentils have a high concentration of auxins, a group of plant hormones that act as growth regulators and cause the elongation of plant cells. This is why they are used as natural rooting agents to promote root development so that the plant grows stronger and more vigorous.
While it may be a longer process than any of the other products mentioned in this top, we promise you that it’ll be absolutely worth it.
Procedure for preparing cinnamon fertilizer
You’ll take a large container and in it, you’ll put 1 glass of lentils and 4 glasses of water. Then put a cloth or a towel over it to cover the container and leave it in a dark place for 8 hours or overnight.
The next day, you’ll remove the water from the lentils, but try to store this liquid in a dish because you will need it later. You can help yourself with a strainer in case some lentils fall out, although you don’t need to remove all the water, just removing the excess is enough.
Again, you’ll have to cover the container with a cloth and let it rest until the next day.
After the night, you’ll see that the lentils have taken a little root, however, we need them to grow even more. To do this, take the water that you had stored and pour it into the container to moisten the lentils. Afterwards, you must remove the excess water and again put it in a dish for later use.
Remember to place the cloth on top of the container to give darkness to the lentils and leave them like this all night long.
You’ll have to repeat this last process for 2 more days.
When the time has passed, put the lentils, the water you have been using since the beginning, one more cup of water and blend everything thoroughly. Then, pass the mixture through a strainer and help yourself with a spoon because it will be a thick substance.
Finally, dilute 1 glass of lentils rooting agent for every 10 glasses of water and it will be ready to use in your garden or orchard.
Application of the lentil rooting fertilizer
For the first method, you can leave the cuttings in a glass with this rooting agent for 1 or 2 weeks. However, for it to work you must change the liquid every 2 days, although you don’t need to throw it away because you can use it on your other plants.
After 2 weeks have passed, you should keep the cuttings in the glass but using natural water, preferably rainwater or stagnant water. Once they have developed several roots, it will be time to plant them in the soil.
For the second method, you’ll have to leave the cuttings for 1 night in a glass with the rooting agent. The next day you can place them in soil, preferably in a pot. Finally, water them every 3 days with the same liquid for a few weeks.
Aloe
Aloe vera gel has properties that help heal wounds, and this not only applies to humans, but also to plants.
Similarly, like lentils, it contains plant hormones that stimulate new root growth, and seed germination and alleviates the impact of transplanting.
Procedure for preparing aloe rooting fertilizer
To use the aloe vera gel, you must always remove the aloe vera juice it contains, popularly known as “iodine.” To do this, leave the leaf in a container with water vertically overnight, the next day you’ll see that the water has taken a yellowish tone.
Application of the aloe fertilizer
It’s very simple, just cut a small piece of the leaf, remove the skin, and you’ll see the gel inside. Then, you are going to take the cutting and rub the stem through the gel so that it gets completely soaked in this viscous substance.
Then you can place the sprout in its respective pot or soil. Some people prefer to let the cutting heal a little by waiting 24 hours before planting it. We suggest you apply this method to succulent plants since their stems are usually thicker and we want to prevent the plant from rotting.
Final recommendations
As we said at the beginning, it’s highly advisable to alternate fertilizers every month, so that the plants receive different nutrients and not exaggerated doses of a single one.
Likewise, you better keep in mind what type of plant you want to fertilize and what nutrients it needs the most. Just as we mentioned that coffee is beneficial for acidic plants.
In conclusion, we hope you have enjoyed this blog, but above all that you have learned which homemade elements work as fertilizers and/or rooting agents for your plants.
As you could observe, in many of the cases they are even implemented that we usually throw away in the trash, so encourage you to try at least 1 of these homemade fertilizers and we are sure you will not regret it.
