How to Make Natural Fertilizer at Home: 6 Simple Recipes

6 Simple Recipes to Make Natural Fertilizer at Home

Making natural fertilizer at home is a great way to enrich your soil and promote healthy plant growth while minimizing waste. Here are six simple recipes for homemade fertilizers:

1. Banana Peel Fertilizer

Credits: Instagram/@compostable.la

Banana peels are rich in several key nutrients that are essential for plant health. Potassium (K) helps regulate various plant functions, including water uptake and enzyme activation, which are crucial for disease resistance and overall plant vigor.

Phosphorus (P) promotes strong root systems and encourages blooming and fruiting. Calcium (Ca) aids in the development of cell walls, helping plants to maintain structural integrity and resist diseases like blossom end rot.

Instructions

• • • • Ingredients: Banana peels
      • Preparation: Start by chopping banana peels into small, manageable pieces. Smaller pieces break down more quickly and make it easier for the nutrients to be released into the water. If you have a lot of banana peels, blending them into a slurry can be an efficient method to speed up the process.
      • Infusion: Place the chopped peels into a jar or container and cover them with water. For every cup of banana peels, use about two cups of water. This ratio allows for an optimal nutrient transfer from the peels to the water.
      • Fermentation: Seal the container and let the mixture sit in a warm, dark place for 1-2 weeks. The fermentation process is essential as it breaks down the peels and releases their nutrients into the water. Stirring the mixture occasionally can help speed up the decomposition process and ensure even nutrient distribution.
      • Usage: After the fermentation period, strain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the solid pieces of peels. The resulting liquid is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that you can use to water your plants. Apply it every 2-4 weeks for best results. The remaining banana peels can be composted or added directly to the soil to further enrich it.

2. Eggshell Fertilizer

Eggshells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is crucial for plants because calcium supports the development of cell walls and roots.

Calcium deficiency can lead to problems such as poor root development and increased susceptibility to diseases. By adding crushed eggshells to the soil, you help to replenish calcium levels, which improves plant health and growth.

Instructions

• • • • Ingredients: Eggshells
      • Cleaning: Rinse the eggshells under running water to remove any remaining egg white or yolk. This step is important to prevent attracting pests and to avoid unpleasant odors.
      • Drying: Allow the eggshells to dry completely. You can place them on a countertop or use an oven set to a low temperature (around 200°F or 90°C) for a few minutes to speed up the drying process.
      • Crushing: Once the shells are dry, crush them into a fine powder. You can use a mortar and pestle, a rolling pin, or a food processor. The finer the powder, the more easily it will be absorbed by the soil.
      • Application: Sprinkle the powdered eggshells evenly over your garden soil or mix them into your compost pile. For better results, you can also gently work the powder into the top layer of the soil. The calcium from the eggshells will enhance soil structure and improve plant health.

3. Coffee Grounds Fertilizer

Credits: Instagram/@watex.greenliving

Coffee grounds are a good source of nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for plant growth. Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis, which allows plants to convert sunlight into energy. Coffee grounds also help improve soil texture, enhance drainage, and can slightly acidify the soil, which benefits acid-loving plants.

Instructions

• • • • Ingredients: Used coffee grounds.
      • Collection: Collect used coffee grounds from your coffee maker or ask local coffee shops for their used grounds. Avoid using fresh coffee grounds as they are too acidic and may inhibit plant growth.
      • Application: Spread the used coffee grounds directly onto the soil around your plants or mix them into your compost pile. If you prefer, you can also create a coffee grounds slurry by mixing the grounds with water. Apply this slurry directly to the soil or use it as a liquid fertilizer.
      • Benefits: Coffee grounds provide a modest amount of nitrogen and improve soil structure by increasing aeration and drainage. They also attract earthworms, which are beneficial for soil health.

Related: How to Start a Herb Garden at Home: 7 Beginner-Friendly Tips

4. Compost Tea

Compost tea is a liquid extract made from compost that contains a rich mixture of nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms help decompose organic matter, fix nitrogen, and improve soil fertility. The tea also contains a balanced array of nutrients that plants need for robust growth.

Instructions

• • • • Ingredients: Compost (preferably homemade), Water.
      • Mixing: Fill a large bucket halfway with compost. Ideally, use well-decomposed compost that is rich in organic matter. If you’re using store-bought compost, choose a high-quality, organic option.
      • Watering: Add water to the bucket until it’s full. Use approximately twice as much water as compost. This dilution helps to leach nutrients and beneficial microbes from the compost into the liquid.
      • Steeping: Stir the mixture thoroughly and let it steep for 1-2 days. Stirring helps to mix the compost and water thoroughly, allowing the nutrients and microbes to infuse into the solution.
      • Straining: After the steeping period, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any solid particles. The resulting compost tea is ready for use.
      • Usage: Water your plants with the compost tea, applying it every 2-4 weeks. The tea provides a balanced mix of nutrients and beneficial microbes that enhance soil health and plant growth.

5. Fish Emulsion

Fish emulsion is a nutrient-rich fertilizer made from decomposed fish parts. It provides a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. Additionally, fish emulsion contains trace elements and beneficial microorganisms that further enhance soil fertility.

Instructions

• • • • Ingredients: Fish scraps (such as fish heads, tails, and guts), Water
      • Preparation: Place fish scraps (heads, tails, and guts) into a large bucket. You can use leftovers from cooking or fish processing.
      • Mixing: Cover the fish scraps with water. Use a ratio of about 1 part fish scraps to 2 parts water to ensure that there is enough liquid to extract nutrients.
      • Fermentation: Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 weeks, stirring occasionally. The fermentation process breaks down the fish scraps, releasing nutrients into the water.
      • Straining: After the fermentation period, strain the liquid to remove solid fish pieces.
      • Usage: Dilute the fish emulsion with water if necessary (e.g., 1 part emulsion to 10 parts water). Use this diluted solution to water your plants. Fish emulsion helps to promote vigorous growth, enhance flowering, and improve overall plant health.

Related: How to Improve Soil Quality in Garden Naturally: 6 Easy Tips

6. Epsom Salt Fertilizer

Credits: Instagram/@shehrikisaan_gn

Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, which is important for chlorophyll production and nutrient uptake. Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for photosynthesis. It also helps plants absorb other essential nutrients, improving overall plant health and growth.

Instructions

• • • • Ingredients: Epsom salt, Water
      • Mixing the Solution: Start by dissolving 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt into 1 gallon of water. It’s important to stir the mixture thoroughly until the Epsom salt is completely dissolved. This ensures that the solution is evenly mixed and ready for effective application.
      • Applying the Solution: Once the solution is prepared, use it to water your plants. Apply the solution every 1 to 2 months to maintain optimal results. This regular application helps provide consistent nourishment to your plants. Additionally, you can use the Epsom salt solution as a foliar spray. Simply apply the mixture directly to the leaves of your plants. This method allows for quicker absorption of the nutrients by the foliage.
      • Benefits of Epsom Salt: Epsom salt provides several advantages for plant health. It helps plants produce more chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for photosynthesis. Increased chlorophyll production enhances the plant’s ability to convert sunlight into energy, promoting robust growth.