Homemade, Environmentally-Friendly Fertilizer

Fertilizer can be expensive and dangerous to the environment if used incorrectly. Over-application of many store-bought fertilizers can cause algal blooms of toxic algae eventually creating dead zones due to oxygen depletion. Also, while manure is an organic, it is not the most smell-friendly option, and if applied closely to ground water sources such as wells, disease causing microbes can enter these drinking water sources. Compared to these, making your own fertilizer is friendly to your budget and the environment while reducing food waste.

For hobbyist and community gardeners, this guide will walk you through nutrients needed for plant growth, followed by methods of making and utilizing your homemade fertilizer.

Supplies vary based on what nutrient or soil acidity you are aiming to fertilize your garden with. In steps 1 - 3, you will understand the major and minor nutrients in the following steps, you will be able to see major and minor nutrients required for plant growth followed by how you can implement it into your garden.

While the fertilizer item you plan to use may vary, helpful supplies include:

• Gallon bucket with lid
• Hand fork to mix dirt and fertilizer with
• Canning jar

Nitrogen

• Coffee grounds
• Leaves and/or grass clippings for mulch
• Weeds
• Gelatin

Phosphorous

• Bones

Potassium

• Banana peels
• Alliums [chives, garlic, onion tops]

Combinations

• Green tea (phosphorous and potassium)
• Milk (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium)
• Fish (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium)
• Seaweed (phosphorous, potassium)

While the three main nutrients are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, there are other nutrients present called micronutrients that plants need only in small amounts. These include boron, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine. The following foods can supply your homemade fertilizer with these micronutrients:

• Egg shells (calcium)
• Blackstrap molasses (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur)
• Seaweed (magnesium, calcium)
• Potato peels (potassium, phosphorous, magnesium)
• Epsom salt (magnesium, sulfur)
• Dill (iron, magnesium)
• Oregano (iron, magnesium)
• Parsley (copper, iron, manganese)
• Sage

Why Acidity?

For optimal plant growth, you need to understand which plants require certain soil acidities, and will need to ask a master gardener at a nursery or do some research on your plants ahead of time. For instance, some vegetables like tomatoes grow better in more acidic soil compared to peas that need soil with lower acidity. Below are some foods that can increase the acidity of your soil:

• Banana peels
• Vinegar

Testing for Acidity

You should also test the pH (acidity) of your soil to determine if it would be a good fit for your desired plants. You can do this by purchasing a test at a gardening store or store section, or doing it at home.

If you want to learn more about DIY soil testing methods, use this link below:

How to Test your Garden Soil (Almanac)

There are multiple methods to turn these foods into fertilizer. Methods I cover include:

• Apply directly
• Just add water
• Saving your cooking water
• Soaking the food in a bucket or jar with water
• Making bone meal

Note:

Besides the herbs above, I was unable to find any information on spices use in making homemade fertilizer, so use foods or water with spices at your own risk.

In steps involving applying a water based fertilizer to your garden, avoid overwatering. While more water may seem beneficial, you could drown your plants instead.

This method is great for epsom salts, grass clippings, dead leaves, weeds, and dried foods. For the best results in your garden, do this before planting.

You will want to:

1. Apply the substance in moderate amounts in your garden to avoid over fertilization
2. Take the time to mix in the substance

This method works best with other liquids, like blackstrap molasses and vinegar.

1. Put 2 tablespoons (29.5 mL) of vinegar to a gallon of water
2. Mix solution thoroughly
3. Water plants with this solution several times

Note:

The amount of substance you want to fertilize may vary; the above instructions refer to using vinegar. If using blackstrap molasses, the above amount may not be enough so you will want to either add more to the gallon of water or use less water and the same amount of molasses.

This can be done with a variety of vegetables and other foods like potatoes.

1. Once your food is finished cooking in the water, remove the food
2. Let water cool
3. Apply the water to your garden

This method is similar to using water already cooked with the food. This works with many foods, including potato skins, seaweed, and egg shells.

1. In a container (bucket, jar), add water and your food of choice
2. Let your food item soak completely submerged and covered for 1-4 weeks
3. After soaking period, remove and dispose of the food item
4. Apply water around plant roots (around the stem)

If bones are a common ingredient in your household, you can make fertilizer with bone meal.

For this method, you will need

• Pressure cooker
• Spoonful of vinegar
• Dash of salt
• Food processor or strong finger
• Oven or dehydrator

1. Boil or pressure cook your bones with a spoonful of vinegar and dash of salt until they are soft
2. Bones are softened enough when you can mush it with your fingers
3. Transfer softened bones into a food processor or strong blender and blend the bones
4. With an oven or dehydrator, dry out the blended bones at a low temperature over several hours
5. Wait until cooled and completely dried until applying to your garden.

To learn more about the information I've used, check out the sources I used below:

Major and Minor Nutrient Resources:

Agriculture Nutrient Managment and Fertilizer (EPA)

5 Foods You Can Use as Plant Fertilizer (Farm Flavor)

Homemade Natural Fertilizer - 15 Simple and Inexpensive Options (The Grow Network)

Micronutrients (Clemson University)

Seaweed Products (Royal Horticultural Society)

Soil Acidity (Agriculture Victoria)

Information on How to Raise Acid Level in Soil (Gardening Know How)

Five Foods you Can Substitute for Garden Fertilizer (Modern Farmer)

How to Make Organic Plant Fertilizer at Home (Almanac)

Methodology Resources:

Homemade Natural Fertilizer - 15 Simple and Inexpensive Options (The Grow Network)

Seaweed Products (Royal Horticultural Society)

Ask Dr. Potato - Can I Use Potatoes as Fertilizer? (The Idaho Potato Commission)

10 Natural Fertilizers for Houseplants (Urban Garden Gal)

How to Make Bone Meal (Salt in my Coffee)

15 Easy Organic Fertilizers to Make at Home (Sustainable Holly)