Keeping the soil in our garden healthy and nourished is essential if we want to grow beautiful and productive plants.
But, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re supposed to use chemical fertilizers. They work fast because they feed the plant directly; however, they don’t nourish the soil with the nutrients it needs.
This is especially the case with edibles.
On the other hand, organic fertilizer will also enrich the soil and make it available for the plants to use it. Although the results will be slower, they’re long-lasting.
The most important nutrients for plants are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulphur, and magnesium.
Composting is one of the best methods to optimize the soil’s health, but here are some other useful alternatives!
How to Fertilize Your Garden without Composting
Eggshell, Epsom salt, and banana peels
These three ingredients, when used individually, can help you fertilize your soil. And, when combined together, they’re even more potent!
This is because eggshells are rich in nitrogen, calcium, and phosphoric acid. You can dry them, crush them into powder, and sprinkle them into the garden. Epsom salt is best to be used in early mornings and it will boost the sulphur and magnesium levels.
And, banana peels are great for soil because of its potassium, calcium, and phosphorus.
Chop up the peel and bury it beneath the soil and it will dissolve. To combine all of these 3 ingredients, grind 4 peels, 3 dried eggshells, and a tbsp of Epsom salt in a 32-ounce bottle.
Add water until it’s almost entirely full. Close the bottle and shake it. Use it as spray.
Herb tea
Did you know that you can use herb tea as liquid fertilizer for your plants? You’re to use nettle, parsley, comfrey, borage, and/or yarrow.
Whichever combo you decide on, fill a 5-gallon bucket with the crushed and chopped material and leave sufficient room to cover it with water.
It’s best to use rainwater if possible or filtered one.
Leave the blend for 2 weeks in a secluded area (it will get smelly). When it has rotten well, strain out the liquid and dilute it with 1 part water and 1 part tea. Pour it around the roots of the plants.
The all-purpose fertilizer
Although it’s not the best money-saver out there, it does make wonders. When applied yearly during the planting time, it will be enough for a standard home veggie garden.
You should mix and blend into the soil with a spade or a home: ¼ part ordinary agricultural lime, 4 parts seed meal, ½ agricultural lime, ½ part dolomite lime, ½ part kelp meal, and 1 part bone meal.
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