DIY Garden Goodness: Best Fertilizer From Your Kitchen Scraps

Save money and use kitchen scraps for a diy fertilizer

Looking to give your garden a boost without breaking the bank? Making your own garden fertilizer using readily available ingredients not only saves money but also helps reduce waste. Instead of tossing out food scraps, why not turn them into something beneficial for your plants?

Save kitchen scraps, grass clippings and fallen leaves in this rotating composter. Makes great diy fertilizer and keeps out critters!

Adding grass clippings and fallen leaves to homemade fertilizer or compost can greatly enhance its quality and nutrient balance. Grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, which helps kickstart the decomposition process and supports leaf growth in plants while leaves, on the other hand, provide essential carbon and help balance the high nitrogen content from kitchen scraps and grass. Together, they create a more complete compost mix that can nourish plants, improve soil structure, and promote beneficial microbes. Plus, using these natural, readily available materials reduces yard waste and enriches the compost with vital nutrients for healthy garden growth

Top Ingredients to add

Before you dive into the process, let’s list some kitchen delights that can turn into fertile gold:

• Eggshells: Rich in calcium, they help strengthen plant cell walls.

• Coffee Grounds: A popular choice, they are packed with nitrogen and can help improve soil drainage.

• Banana Peels: These are not just delicious treats; they're loaded with potassium, perfect for flowering plants.

• Vegetable Scraps: Leftovers like carrot tops or lettuce can provide a nutrient boost when composted.

• Green Tea: That old tea bag you’ve been meaning to toss? It’s a great source of nutrients!

Add these for Homemade Fertilizer

Now that we have a list of potential ingredients, let's get into the nitty-gritty of creating your garden fertilizer!

1. Eggshell Fertilizer

Rinse your eggshells to remove any residue and let them dry. Once dry, crush them into a fine powder. Sprinkle this calcium-rich powder around your plants to help reduce blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.

2. Coffee Ground Blend

If you’re a coffee drinker, don’t toss those grounds! Mix them into your compost or directly into the soil. This boosts nitrogen levels and attracts beneficial worms, helping aerate the soil.

3. Banana Peel Tea

Chop up banana peels and put them into a jar filled with water. Let it sit for a few days, then use the water to hydrate your plants. This nutrient-packed ‘tea’ infuses potassium directly to your roots.

Tips for Application

When using homemade fertilizers, moderation is key. Too much of a good thing can harm your plants. Apply these boosters at the beginning of the growing season or during watering, and see how your garden thrives. Always assess how your plants respond, and tweak your mix as necessary!

Conclusion

Using everyday kitchen ingredients to make the best garden fertilizer not only enriches your plants but also contributes to a sustainable lifestyle. So the next time you’re about to throw something away, think twice—it might just be the secret ingredient your garden has been craving!