DIY Plant Fertilisers: Everyday Household Ingredients to Nourish Your Plants

Fertilizing your plants doesn’t always require store-bought products. Many common kitchen scraps and pantry items are packed with nutrients that can help your plants thrive. Using these at-home ingredients is not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly. Here’s a guide to some of the best household items you can use as plant fertilizers and how to apply them.

1. Banana Peels: A Phosphorus and Potassium Boost

Banana peels are rich in phosphorus and potassium, essential nutrients for healthy root development and blooming.

How to Use: Chop up the peels and bury them near the plants roots, or soak them in water for a day or two to create a liquid fertiliser. Use the water to feed your plants.

2. Coffee Grounds: Nitrogen Powerhouse

Used coffee grounds are an excellent source of nitrogen, which promotes lush, green foliage.

How to Use: Mix used coffee grounds into the soil or add them to your compost. Avoid overusing them, as they can make the soil too acidic for some plants.

3. Eggshells: Calcium Supplement

Eggshells are packed with calcium, which strengthens plant cell walls and prevents issues like blossom-end rot in tomatoes.

How to Use: Crush the shells into small pieces and sprinkle them around the base of your plants. Alternatively, steep crushed shells in water for a few days to create a calcium-rich tea.

4. Rice or Pasta Water: Trace Nutrient Boost

The leftover water from cooking rice or pasta contains small amounts of starch and nutrients that benefit plants.

How to Use: Let the water cool and use it to water your plants. Avoid adding salt to the cooking water, as salt can harm plants.

5. Wood Ash: Potassium and pH Balance

Ash from untreated wood is high in potassium and can help balance acidic soil.

How to Use: Sprinkle wood ash sparingly around your plants, mixing it into the top layer of soil. Avoid using it on plants that prefer acidic conditions, like blueberries or azaleas.

6. Epsom Salt: Magnesium and Sulfur Booster

Epsom salt provides magnesium and sulfur, which are vital for photosynthesis and nutrient absorption.

How to Use: Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and use it to water your plants once a month.

7. Vegetable Scraps: Nutrient-Rich Compost Tea

Vegetable scraps like carrot tops, potato peels, and leafy greens contain a variety of nutrients.

How to Use: Place the scraps in a container of water and let them steep for a few days. Strain out the solids and use the nutrient-rich liquid to water your plants.

8. Aquarium Water: A Natural Fertilizer

If you have a freshwater aquarium, the waste and uneaten food in the water contain nitrogen and beneficial bacteria.

How to Use: Use the old aquarium water to water your plants, but avoid using it from saltwater tanks.

9. Blackstrap Molasses: Microbial Food

Molasses is a great source of sugar and minerals, feeding beneficial microbes in the soil and improving overall plant health.

How to Use: Mix one tablespoon of molasses in a gallon of water and use it to water your plants.

10. Green Tea: Mild Nitrogen Source

Green tea leaves provide a gentle nitrogen boost and can also slightly acidify the soil.

How to Use: Steep a used green tea bag in water, let it cool, and use it to water plants that prefer acidic conditions, like roses and ferns.

Tips for Using DIY Fertilizers

Start Small: Test homemade fertilizers on a single plant to ensure it responds well.

Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Even natural fertilizers can harm plants if used in excess. Stick to a regular feeding schedule.

Compost for Long-Term Fertility: Combine many of these ingredients into a compost pile for a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

By repurposing everyday household items, you can create nutrient-packed fertilizers to support your plants while reducing waste. Happy gardening!