DIY and Save: Fertilizers
As a home gardener, you can make your own fertilizer using a variety of organic materials. Over the next few weeks we will go into each of these in more detail and share some of our favorite tools and resources to make the process easier and keep your garden happy. Here are some methods we will cover and an overview of options you can try:
Composting: Composting is an excellent way to create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. Collect kitchen scraps (such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells) and yard waste (like leaves and grass clippings) in a compost bin or pile. Mix these materials together, keeping the pile moist and turning it occasionally. Over time, microorganisms will break down the organic matter into nutrient-rich compost that can be added to your garden soil.
Manure: Animal manure, when properly composted, can be a great source of nutrients for plants. You can use manure from herbivorous animals like cows, horses, rabbits, or chickens. Make sure to age or compost the manure before using it to avoid burning your plants with fresh, high-nitrogen manure. Mix the composted manure into the soil or use it as a side dressing around your plants.
Vermicomposting: Vermicomposting involves using earthworms to break down organic matter into nutrient-rich castings (worm poop). Set up a vermicomposting bin by layering shredded paper, vegetable scraps, and a small number of red worms (Eisenia fetida) in a container. The worms will consume the organic waste and produce castings. Harvest the castings regularly and add them to your garden beds or mix them with potting soil for container plants.
Organic tea or liquid fertilizers: You can create nutrient-rich liquid fertilizers by steeping organic materials in water. Some popular options include compost tea, nettle tea, and seaweed extracts. For compost tea, place compost in a cloth bag or mesh container and submerge it in water for a few days. Dilute the resulting liquid before applying it to your plants. Similarly, for nettle or seaweed tea, steep the respective materials in water, strain, and use the liquid as a foliar spray or soil drench.
Mulching: While not technically a fertilizer, organic mulches like straw, wood chips, grass clippings, or shredded leaves can break down over time and provide nutrients to the soil. Spread a layer of mulch around your plants, which will improve soil structure, retain moisture, and slowly release nutrients as it decomposes.
Remember to test your homemade fertilizers on a small portion of your garden before applying them widely. This allows you to observe the effects and ensure you're not over or under fertilizing your plants.