[AG-EQ] How to Make Your Own Fertilizer

[dogwood farm]

How to Make Your Own Fertilizer
Written by Erin Huffstetler

Here are seven homemade fertilizer recipes for you to put to the test.
They're made from ingredients you probably already have on hand,
including some things you may be in the habit of throwing away.

01 of 07  Epsom Salt Fertilizer
Fast facts on Epsom salt fertilizer:
Use in Place Of
 Houseplant food
Vegetable fertilizer
Rose plant food

 What You Need
 1 Tablespoon Epsom salt
1 gallon water
A watering can

 What You Do
1. Dissolve the Epsom salt in water.
2. Use the solution to water your plants.
3. Repeat once a month to maintain efficacy.

 Why This Works
 Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate – both vital plant
nutrients. Some magnesium-loving plants to try it on: houseplants,
roses, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes.


02 of 07  Coffee Ground Fertilizer
Fast facts on coffee ground fertilizer:
Use in Place Of
Rose plant food
Soil acidifiers

 What You Need
 Used coffee grounds
A cookie sheet
Newspaper

 What You Do
1. Line a cookie sheet with newspaper.
2. Then, spread your used coffee grounds out on the sheet, and allow
them to dry completely.
3. Sprinkle the grounds around the base of your acid-loving plants.
Azaleas, roses, rhododendrons, and blueberries are just some of the
plants that will benefit from this treatment.

Note: Be careful not to overdo it with the grounds. Even acid-loving
plants can get too much acid.

 Why This Works
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium –
all-important plant nutrients. They're also naturally acidic, so they
can help you boost the acidity of the soil.


03 of 07  Egg Shell Fertilizer
Fast facts on eggshell fertilizer:
Use in Place Of
Garden lime

 What You Need
 Eggshells
A blender

 What You Do
1. Save your eggs shells, and allow them to air dry.
2. Then, place the dried shells in a blender, and pulse until they're
powdery-fine.
3. Sprinkle the shells around the plants in your garden.

 Why This Works
Eggs shells are made up almost entirely of calcium carbonate – the
main ingredient in agricultural lime.


04 of 07  Vinegar Fertilizer
Fast facts on vinegar fertilizer:
Use in Place Of
Houseplant fertilizer
Rose plant food
Soil acidifiers

 What You Need
 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 gallon water
A watering can

 What You Do
1. Combine the white vinegar and water.
2. Use the solution to water your plants.
3. Repeat every three months.

 Why This Works
The acetic acid in vinegar works to increase the acidity of the
soil—just the thing for acid-loving plants. Just don't use straight
vinegar to fertilize your plants. Undiluted vinegar is an herbicide.


05 of 07  Fish Tank Water Fertilizer
Fast facts on fish tank water fertilizer:
Use in Place Of
Any fertilizer

 What You Need
 Used fish tank water

 What You Do
1. Save the dirty water from your fish tank.
2. Then, use it to water your plants.

 Why This Works
Used fish tank water is full of nitrogen and other nutrients that
plants need to thrive.


06 of 07  Fireplace Ash Fertilizer
Fast facts on fireplace ash fertilizer:
Use in Place Of
Garden fertilizer
Garden lime

 What You Need
 Fireplace ash

 What You Do
1. Sprinkle cool (never hot) fireplace ash over your garden beds, and
work it into the soil.

Note: Fireplace ash should not be used if your soil is alkaline. It
also shouldn't be used around acid-loving plants, unless you're trying
to turn hydrangeas pink.

 Why This Works
Fireplace ash is rich in potassium and calcium carbonate. If your soil
is too acidic, it'll help to balance out the pH, so your plants are
better able to absorb the nutrients that are present in the soil.


07 of 07  Compost
Fast facts on compost:
Use in Place Of
Any fertilizer

 What You Need
 Kitchen and garden scraps

 What You Do
1. Save your fruit and vegetable scraps, newspapers, grass clippings,
and other compostable materials, and use them to start a compost bin
or pile.

2. Add a bit of water from time to time, and turn your pile to speed
up the composting process.

3. When everything has broken down into a dark, rich soil spread it in
your garden, and enjoy the results.

 Why This Works
Compost is loaded with nutrients and microorganisms that are good for
your garden.

Susan