HOMEMADE PLANT FOOD, THE PRICE IS RIGHT

Plants and animals are more alike than different. The biggest likeness is that we all like to eat and receive good nourishment and so do plants. Fertilizing is feeding plants, whether it be natural or chemical.

I like to use the word natural instead of organic when referring to fertilizer because, in this department, organic often gets a bad rap. Folks tend to think that feeding plants organically means dealing with weeds and insects and that it plain won’t work. On the other hand, assuming that just because it is natural it will always work is wrong too. There is a place for both natural and chemical fertilizers in our gardens.

Both synthetic and natural fertilizers supply plants with the nutrients that they need to grow healthy, strong and disease-free. However, they supply those nutrients in different ways.

When buying commercial fertilizer, you notice three numbers written on the bag that refer to the ratios of the big three nutrients that make up fertilizer; N for nitrogen, P for phosphorous and K for potassium or potash. These are the macro nutrients and in lesser amounts, most fertilizers contain calcium, magnesium and sulfur.

Nitrogen helps plants grow large and lush whereas phosphorous helps develop strong, healthy root systems. Potassium helps with plant growth, protein production, plant hardiness, disease and insect resistance and efficient water use.

Synthetic and natural fertilizers both have these nutrients, the difference is from where they are sourced. Chemical, or inorganic, fertilizers are manufactured artificially and contain minerals or synthetic chemicals typically made from petroleum or natural gas. Natural fertilizers contain only plant or animal-based materials that are by-products or end products of naturally occurring processes like leaves, manure and compost.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both kinds, so deciding on your method of plant nutrition has to do with your long-term goals. Synthetic fertilizer is like the fast food of plant nourishment. It is like steroids for plants. Plants look great, grow fast and have enhanced colors but are less healthy. This rapid release of highly concentrated nutrients increases the risk of burning the plants and the excess may leach into the soil. It also contains no micronutrients.

Natural fertilizers rely on soil organisms to break down the organic matter so nutrients are released slower to the plants. Natural also contains micronutrients for plants which are like vitamins and minerals for people. Plants, like us, need these in small amounts and without them our bodies and plants can shut down.

This pairing of macro and micro nutrients means better nutrition for plants and soil. Also, the slow release method means less chance of nutrient leaching and over time, it improves the texture of the soil and the amount of beneficial bacteria.

Besides taking longer for plants to be able to utilize natural fertilizer, the other down side is you don’t know exactly how much of each nutrient you are providing like you do with commercial fertilizers. It is a by guess and by golly method until you learn by trial and error.

To get the three macronutrients, natural fertilizers often make use of alfalfa and cottonseed meal and fish emulsion for nitrogen, bone meal or rock phosphate for the phosphorous and kelp or granite meal for the potassium.

Natural fertilizers are can be purchased in select places but you can also make your own. The best part about this is you can utilize things that you probably already toss anyway. Here is a list of the most common household all-purpose natural fertilizers:

AQUARIUM WATER:  Fish waste makes good fertilizer, however only use from fresh water, not salt water.

BANANAS: Planting the peel alongside plants adds potassium. These are especially good for roses and tomatoes.

BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES:  This gooey liquid is an excellent source of many different nutrients that plants need including carbon, iron, sulfur, potash, calcium, manganese, potassium, copper and magnesium. It feeds the beneficial bacteria which keep the plants and soil healthy. It can be mixed with other all-purpose fertilizers. A good mixture is 1 cup Epsom salts, 1 cup alfalfa meal put in four gallons of water and then add 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses.

COFFEE GROUNDS:  Used grounds contain nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. Use this on plants that like more acidic environments like blueberries, evergreens, azaleas, roses, avocados and fruit trees. Be sure and let it dry then scatter as a mulch. Avoid using them wet as this could lead to mold.

COOKING WATER:  When you cook food, nutrients are released in the water. Boil potatoes, vegetables, eggs…even pasta and let the water cool and use for plants.

CORN GLUTEN MEAL:  This is a by-product of the wet milling process for corn. It is used as an organic pre-emergent herbicide and also as a natural fertilizer that is 10% nitrogen. It only works as a herbicide before seeds germinate, it won’t harm the plants after they have sprouted. Spread a thin layer, then scratch it into the top one inch of the soil and then plant veggie starts inside the treated area for optimum nitrogen benefit.

EGG SHELLS:  These are a great source of calcium which plants need for cell and root growth and plant growth removes large quantities from the soil. Simply crush them into a powder and then sprinkle around your plants, especially tomato plants.

EPSOM SALTS:  Mix one tablespoon in one gallon of water and spray directly on the foliage once a month to add magnesium and sulfur. You will be rewarded with larger flowers and fruits since magnesium helps plants take in nutrients.

WOOD ASH:  Hardwood ashes are best and be sure there is no charcoal or lighter fluid in them. They provide potassium and calcium carbonate but they are alkaline so don’t place them where you want acidic soil.

GELATIN:  Yep, you read that right. A great source of nitrogen, simply put one package (unflavored) in one cup hot water and then add three cups cold water. When it is cool, pour on the soil directly around plants once a month. This is great for houseplants.

GREEN TEA:  Make a weak solution by placing one tea bag in two gallons of water and using it every four weeks.

HORSE FEED:  The magical ingredient here is molasses. Either sprinkle it on top of the soil or combine it with water or other organic fertilizer.

MATCHES:  Use the old fashioned, easy strike kind to get a good dose of magnesium. Either place the whole match in the hole with the plant or soak the matches in water since the magnesium will dissolve in the water.

POWDERED MILK:  Another good source of calcium, just place in the hole before planting.

These natural items all work wonders but, if you want to make a “quick fix fertilizer,” take a one gallon milk jug and add one teaspoon baking powder, one teaspoon ammonia, 3 teaspoons instant iced tea mix, three teaspoons blackstrap molasses, three tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup bone scraps (any bones, fish, chicken, etc.), and one crushed egg shell or one-half dried banana peel. Fill the jug with water, rain water if you have it, and let it set in the sun one hour. Use it full strength.

The main thing to remember whether using homemade or commercial fertilizers is that less is more. If you use too much or too strong of an application, you can do more harm than good by harming the plants’ roots. Leaves will curl and fall from the stem. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take away.

With any fertilizer, the goal is to help plants be as healthy as they can be and healthy soil equals healthy and happy plants!