If you are interested in having a garden at home, then you should consider making your own fertilizer rather than buying store-bought. Making fertilizer at home is a great way for you to save money, keep your plants healthy, and conserve the environment.
This is because many homemade fertilizers are made from food scraps that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Not only are homemade fertilizers sustainable and environmentally friendly but they also reduce your reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and improve the soil structure which increases the chance of your plant withstanding harsh weather conditions. The soil also becomes drought-resistant as the homemade/organic fertilizer helps it retain moisture and vital nutrients.
Now, let’s take a look at some unique homemade fertilizers:
Grass clippings- Grass clippings can be used to make an excellent nitrogen-rich homemade fertilizer. To make grass clippings tea, collect all of the grass clippings in a massive bucket and fill it with water. Let it steep until the water develops the same colour as a weak cup of tea.
Apply this mixture while watering your plants to the base of the plant. Grass clipping can also be created into mulch and a thin layer of it can be applied directly under the plant. Grass clippings are a rich source of nitrogen which helps the plant grow a lot of vibrant and healthy foliage. However, it can also inhibit the plant’s ability to grow flowers and fruits. Therefore, it shouldn’t be applied to the soil very often.
Epsom salt, baking powder, and ammonia- Epsom salt, baking powder, and ammonia can create a cost-effective homemade fertilizer. Epsom salt is a rich source of magnesium and sulphur. The plants need magnesium and sulphur to absorb nutrients from the soil and create healthy foliage. Baking powder protects the plant from developing fungal disease and ammonia assists in promoting the growth of a healthy root system.
Take a 5-litre plastic watering jug and add 2 tablespoons of Epson salt, 2 tablespoons of baking powder, and one teaspoon of ammonia. Fill the jug with water, mix it well, and let it rest for half an hour before applying it to the base of your plants. A little goes a long way, therefore, don’t apply too much of this solution.
Fish tank water fertilizer- If you keep fish inside your home, then using the water present in the fish tank as a fertilizer is a great way of disposing of it responsibly. Fish tank water where freshwater fishes are kept is a rich source of nitrogen. Do not use fish tank water which is used for keeping saltwater fish.
