One of the most critical aspects of gardening is giving your plants natural fertilizer. And as you are probably aware, there are many different commercial fertilizers on the market. Still, they can be expensive and contain chemicals that may not be good for your plants or the environment. Luckily, there are many natural alternatives to commercial fertilizers that you can use to keep your garden healthy! This post will list some of the most popular natural fertilizers and how to use them!
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Why Your Plants Need Fertilizer
Every plant needs three primary nutrients to survive: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen helps plants to grow strong leaves, phosphorus encourages root growth, and potassium helps to promote overall health. While all three nutrients are essential, nitrogen is often the most limiting factor in plant growth.
Nitrogen is very mobile in the soil, meaning it can be easily washed away by rain or leached out by irrigation. As a result, it is crucial to regularly fertilize your plants with nitrogen-rich fertilizer to ensure they have the nutrients they need to thrive.
Things You Can Use As Natural Fertilizer
As you now know, your plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to survive, but you don’t need to use commercial fertilizers to provide these nutrients. There are many natural alternatives that you can use to keep your garden healthy! Here are some of the most popular natural fertilizers and how to use them:
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plants. They also contain other minerals, such as phosphorus and potassium, which can help to promote healthy growth. In addition, coffee grounds can help to improve drainage and aeration in the soil. Drainage can be especially beneficial for potted plants, as it helps to prevent them from becoming waterlogged.
To use coffee grounds as a fertilizer, mix them into the soil around your plants. You can also add used coffee grounds to your compost pile, where they will break down and release their nutrients into the soil. Either way, coffee grounds are a great way to give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive.
Banana Peels
Did you know you can also use banana peels as a natural fertilizer? That’s right – you can put those pesky peels to good use! Banana peels have loads of nutrients that can help nourish and improve your plants’ health. For example, they are a great source of potassium, which is essential for plant growth. They also contain phosphorus and nitrogen, the other essential nutrients for healthy plant growth.
Best of all, using banana peels as a fertilizer is super easy – add them to your compost pile or bury them in the soil around your plants. Give it a try next time you have some banana peels to spare – your plants will thank you!
Manure
This one you may have already heard of. Manure is a natural fertilizer that has many benefits for plants and gardens. It is rich in nutrients and helps to improve soil fertility. Manure also helps to aerate the soil and retain moisture, making it ideal for use in drier climates. In addition, manure can help to suppress weed growth and discourage pests. When using manure as a fertilizer, choosing an organic product from a reputable source is essential.
Manure should be aged or composted before use and applied to the soil at the recommended rate. With proper care, manure can be an excellent way to give your garden some vital nutrients!
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral with several uses, including as a natural fertilizer. Epsom salt is rich in magnesium, an essential nutrient for plants. It can help to promote root growth, increase chlorophyll production, and improve the uptake of other nutrients. In addition, Epsom salt can help to loosen compacted soil, making it easier for roots to spread.
Regular use of Epsom salt can help keep your plants healthy and vigorous. For best results, mix Epsom salt with water at a ratio of 1:10 and apply it to the roots of plants every few weeks. Be sure to avoid contact with leaves, as Epsom salt can cause them to burn.
White Vinegar
Vinegar is a versatile household product used for cleaning, cooking, and gardening. Vinegar can be an effective and inexpensive option when it comes to fertilizing plants. The acetic acid in the vinegar helps lower the soil’s pH, making it more acidic. This can benefit plants that prefer acidic conditions, such as blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Vinegar can also help to break down compacted soil, making it easier for roots to grow.
When using vinegar, dilute it with water before applying it to your garden. A ratio of one part vinegar to eight parts water is a good starting point. You can also add a tablespoon of sugar per gallon of vinegar to make it more attractive to plants. With regular applications, you can use vinegar to keep your garden healthy and promote vigorous plant growth.
Eggshells
Eggshells are a natural source of calcium carbonate, an essential nutrient for plants. They can also help to improve drainage and aeration in the soil. You can use eggshells as a fertilizer by crushing them into a powder and sprinkling them around the base of plants. To get the most out of this method, you should add eggshells to the soil before planting.
In addition to being a great source of nutrients, eggshells can help deter pests such as slugs and snails. Simply scattering crushed eggshells around your garden will help to keep these pests at bay. They can also be added to compost piles or used as a top dressing for potted plants.
Kelp
Kelp is a type of seaweed that is rich in nutrients and minerals. It can be an amazing natural fertilizer for plants and garden soil. Kelp contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which, as you know, are essential for plant growth. It also contains trace elements such as iron, copper, and manganese, which can help to improve soil health. You can apply kelp to the garden as fresh or dried material. You can also make it into a concentrated liquid fertilizer by soaking it in water for several weeks.
When using kelp as a fertilizer, it is important to use it in moderation, as too much kelp can stunt plant growth. As with any fertilizer, it is always best to test it on a small area before applying it to your entire garden.
Start Feeding Your Plants With Natural Fertilizer!
There are many different things you can use as a natural fertilizer for your garden. And even though this list is full of great options, it is by no means the only option, so experiment and find what works best for you and your garden! Remember to use these products in moderation, as too much of anything can harm plant growth. With some care and attention, you can keep your garden healthy and vibrant using natural fertilizers.Â
