Homemade Fertilisers for Your Garden

Turning your garden into a lush, thriving green sanctuary doesn’t have to drain your wallet or harm the environment. Homemade fertilisers are an excellent, budget-friendly way to nourish your plants while staying eco-conscious. By utilising everyday materials, you can create nutrient-rich fertilisers that promote healthy growth without relying on synthetic alternatives.

Before we explore these natural options, it’s important to note that soil testing is essential. Understanding your soil’s composition and your plants’ specific needs ensures you apply the right amount of the right fertilisers. Remember, moderation is key—applying too much fertiliser can harm your plants rather than help them.

Here’s a guide to some of the best homemade fertilisers, their benefits and how to use them effectively.

1. Comfrey Tea

Nutrients: potassium, potassium, nitrogen

How to Prepare: Steep well-rotted compost in water for 24–48 hours. Use a ratio of 1 part compost to 5 parts water.

How to Use: Dilute further if needed and pour around the base of your plants to improve soil fertility and encourage healthy growth.

See our Blog on Comfrey Tea here

2. Animal Manure

Nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter

How to Prepare: Use well-aged manure (such as cow, horse, or chicken manure) to avoid burning your plants.

How to Use: Spread a thin layer over your garden soil and lightly dig it in. Avoid contact with plant leaves.

3. Banana Skins

Nutrients: potassium and phosphorus

How to Prepare: Chop up banana peels and bury them directly in the soil near the roots of flowering plants. Alternatively, soak them in water for 24 hours to create a banana peel tea.

How to Use: Add to soil for naturally boosted blooms and stronger root systems.

4. Seaweed

Nutrients: potassium, growth hormones

How to Prepare: Rinse seaweed to remove excess salt and soak it in water for a week.

How to Use: Use the strained liquid as a foliar spray or soil conditioner to improve plant strength and resilience.

5. Epsom Salts

Nutrients: magnesium and sulphur

How to Prepare: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts in a gallon of water.

How to Use: Water plants or spray on leaves to boost photosynthesis and aid nutrient absorption.

6. Bone Meal

Nutrients: Phosphorus and calcium

How to Prepare: Crush clean, dry bones into a powder.

How to Use: Sprinkle it sparingly into the soil around your plants to support root and flowering development.

7. Fish Emulsion

Nutrients: nitrogen, potassium, trace elements

How to Prepare: Purchase or make your own by blending fish scraps with water. Allow it to sit for a few days before use.

How to Use: Dilute the emulsion in water and apply as a soil drench to encourage vigorous growth.

8. Molasses

Nutrients: potassium, iron, calcium and sugars to feed soil microbes

How to Prepare: Mix 1–2 tablespoons of unsulfured molasses into a gallon of water.

How to Use: Water your plants or add to compost piles to accelerate decomposition and promote healthy microorganisms.

9. Coffee Grounds

Nutrients: nitrogen, organic matter

How to Prepare: Allow used coffee grounds to dry.

How to Use: Sprinkle them around acid-loving plants like azaleas, hydrangeas, and blueberries. Avoid overuse, as they can increase soil acidity.

10. Tea Leaves

Nutrients: Nitrogen and tannic acid

How to Prepare: Save used tea leaves or bags and dry them out.

How to Use: Mix into the soil to increase fertility or add to your compost pile.

11. Grass Clippings

Nutrients: nitrogen

How to Prepare: Collect fresh grass clippings and allow them to dry slightly before use.

How to Use: Spread them thinly over soil as mulch or compost them for a slow-releasing nitrogen source.

12. Eggshells

Nutrients: calcium

How to Prepare: Crush rinsed eggshells into small pieces.

How to Use: Scatter around plants to improve soil structure and provide calcium for healthy plant cells.

13. Wood Ash

Nutrients: Potassium and calcium carbonate

How to Prepare: Use ash from untreated wood. Avoid charcoal or ash with additives.

How to Use: Sprinkle lightly over the soil, especially around fruiting plants. Use sparingly to avoid altering the soil pH too drastically.

14. Stinging Nettle Tea

Nutrients: Nitrogen, phosphorus, iron

How to Prepare: Harvest nettles (using gloves), chop them, and soak them in water for 1–2 weeks.

How to Use: Strain out the solids and dilute the liquid before watering your plants or using it as a foliar spray.

15. Vegetable Cooking Water

Nutrients: Trace vitamins and minerals from cooked vegetables

How to Prepare: Save the water used to boil vegetables, making sure it is unsalted.

How to Use: Once cooled, water your plants to give them a gentle nutrient boost.

16. Old Aquarium Water

Nutrients: nitrogen and trace nutrients from fish waste

How to Prepare: Save the water when cleaning out a freshwater aquarium.

How to Use: Use as-is to water plants, avoiding delicate leaves. It’s an easy way to recycle nutrient-rich water.

Sustainable Gardening Practices

Homemade fertilisers are kinder to the planet, your wallet, and your plants. By making use of natural, everyday materials, you eliminate the need for synthetic products, reduce waste, and create a more eco-friendly approach to gardening.

Always remember:

  • Test your soil before applying fertilisers to determine what’s needed.
  • Use in moderation—too much of a good thing can harm your plants.
  • Consider your plants’ specific nutrient requirements to ensure your fertiliser choices match their needs.

By incorporating these natural materials into your gardening routine, you can create a thriving, sustainable garden filled with happy, healthy plants. Give these DIY fertilisers a try, and watch your garden flourish while doing your part for the planet.

Further Reading:  How to Start Composting

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Happy gardening! 🌱