Whether you are planning to start a garden at the back of your home or in a country side just because you simply love plants or you want to invest in your future, you should know that even a starter like you could learn how to make organic fertilizer. You are certainly aware of the saying that “You are what you eat.” Then you should know also that “what you eat should eat well.”
This only means that if you are planning to hone your green thumb skills, then you should be active in taking care of your plants, especially when it comes to what they eat. Fertilizers, be it organic or synthetic, are substances which render certain nutrients that plants require in order to grow. Both organic fertilizers and the synthetic ones contain 2 kinds of nutrients, and these are macronutrients (for instance, sulfur, magnesium, and calcium) and the micronutrients like boron, iron, chlorine, molybdenum, and manganese.
What makes organic fertilizers different from the synthetic or the inorganic ones is where the nutrients originate. Synthetic fertilizers are typically out of chemical reactions which could generate ammonia, which is the basic building block that triggers the synthesis of the other required compounds.
Inorganic fertilizers can as well be acquired from some natural sources, such as minerals and rocks. Organic fertilizers on the other hand are out of materials that are being acquired from plants or animals.
As a beginner, you are surely intrigued of the pros of using organic fertilizers, and some of them are jotted below:
• Organic fertilizers could help the soil in retaining the moisture, therefore, lessening the requirement for too much water.
• Organic fertilizers release nitrogen gradually, allowing the plants to have steadier and growth period.
• Organic fertilizers could as well help in keeping the soil’s structure, thus, preventing soil erosion.
• Organic fertilizers can employ natural nutrient storage structures in the soil. This makes the food storage of microorganisms last long, allowing you to save funds on the fertilizer.
Some of the best homemade organic fertilizer recipes…
Grass Fertilizer…
This kind of organic fertilizer is jam packed with oxygen, nitrogen, so as phosphorus. Make sure not to utilize grass that is treated with herbicides.
How to make organic fertilizer out of grass
• In a 5-gallon bucket, about 2/3 of the way,put in fresh, herbicide-free grass.
• Add water. The amount should be a couple of inches below the gallon’s top.
• Let the mixture sit at a room temperature for about 3 days. Make sure to stir it at least once a day.
• Strain the water off the gallon and onto another container.
• Dilute the “tea” with same parts of water and then you can use it already.
Compost tea…
Do not use an unfinished compost since it may have harsh pathogens. However, you should not also use a too old compost, since it may be lacking of nutrients.
• In a 5-gallon bucket, about 2/3 of the way,put in fresh, herbicide-free grass.
• Add water. The amount should be a couple of inches below the gallon’s top.
• Let the mixture sit at a room temperature for about 3 days. Make sure to stir it at least once a day.
• Strain the water off the gallon and onto another container.
• Dilute the “tea” with same parts of water and then you can use it already.
Compost tea…
Do not use an unfinished compost since it may have harsh pathogens. However, you should not also use a too old compost, since it may be lacking of nutrients.
How to make organic fertilizer out of compost tea:
• In a 5-gallon bucket, place a good quality finished compost, about 1/3 full.
• And then, place water about a couple of inches below the gallon’s top.
• Just let the mixture sit and steep for about 3 to 4 days.
• Make sure to stir the mixture every now and then.
• After the mentioned period of time, strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or any porous fabric, and let the “tea” go into another bucket. Apply the strained compost to the garden or yard.
• The remaining liquid on the other hand should be diluted with water. The ratio of the water to the tea should be 10:1. The end result should look like a weak iced tea.
• In a 5-gallon bucket, place a good quality finished compost, about 1/3 full.
• And then, place water about a couple of inches below the gallon’s top.
• Just let the mixture sit and steep for about 3 to 4 days.
• Make sure to stir the mixture every now and then.
• After the mentioned period of time, strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or any porous fabric, and let the “tea” go into another bucket. Apply the strained compost to the garden or yard.
• The remaining liquid on the other hand should be diluted with water. The ratio of the water to the tea should be 10:1. The end result should look like a weak iced tea.
