Plants are also living beings. In fact, thanks to them life on earth is possible, since they play a fundamental role in the cycle of respiration, where human beings take the oxygen, they generate and give off carbon dioxide, which they take to produce oxygen and so the cycle repeats infinitely.
Therefore, environmentalists always recommend planting a tree, since deforestation has caused the planet to suffer great consequences.
However, some people go further and not only plant a tree, but also strive to have a beautiful garden, which brings them great benefits. For example, it allows them to enjoy their beauty, makes it possible for them to exercise a little, helps them release the burdens of stress, etc.
Of course, having a pretty garden is not something that can magically happen overnight. To do this, you need to invest time, effort, energy and resources. For that reason, there are those who may feel a little self-conscious. But the truth is that you can resort to different means to take care of it.
As you know, every garden deserves to be given a plus of energy with a good fertilizer. You no longer have to worry about investing extra money in buying it, now you can learn to do it yourself from home, without the need for chemicals or other substances.
Now you have the possibility to make your own organic fertilizer. But what if you have no idea how to do it or where to start? In such a case, you don’t have to worry. Through this post, I will introduce you to different ways to make your own organic fertilizer. This is a very simple task, but it will do a lot of good for the plants in your garden.
Instructions for making organic fertilizer
The term organic fertilizer is very general. It covers any material of animal or plant origin that is used in order to provide nutrients and make soils more fertile. In summary, we can say that organic fertilizer is a substance made with vegetable or animal residues or waste and that makes the land better and more suitable for plants.
However, some may fall into the error of believing that it is just about mixing any amount and variety of waste with soil and then throwing it to the ground, when the truth is that, if not prepared properly, they could end up being harmful to plants.
To properly prepare the organic fertilizer, you must follow the following instructions to the letter:
- Take a small container, about a meter deep, and make holes in its surface. Depending on how large your garden is or what its characteristics are, you may need to use a medium container or a large container.
- Then, place 4 or 5 fingers of soil or more inside it, depending on the size of your container.
- Then you must add the organic waste. For example, banana skins, egg shells, coffee grounds, wood ash, etc. It is important that these wastes are not from any animal products, with the exception of eggshells.
- Then, you must cover everything with more soil.
- Every two weeks, approximately, stir the soil very well with the help of a shovel. Try to bring the remains that are below to the surface and, vice versa. This step is very important to achieve our homemade fertilizer.
- After a few weeks, fruit flies, worms and other insects begin to appear, indicating that decomposition is occurring.
- When the earth turns black and has a lumpy appearance, we will be sure that the matter has already decomposed in its entirety. This will be the precise moment for you to apply it in the garden.
The smell of fertilizer should be similar to that of wet earth. Its elaboration process takes two months, approximately, in case you have started to do it in summer, since the heat accelerates the decomposition process. However, if you started doing it in winter, then the process will last for about 5 months.
When you are going to apply it, be sure to spread it very well around the roots of your plants. You can do this with the help of a rake or some other similar instrument. But what do you need to do it?
What do you need to make organic fertilizer?
To make your own organic fertilizer you will need one or more of these elements:
- Manure. This is considered as one of the best fertilizers for the soil. While it is true that there is the possibility of buying it in garden stores, if you have animals at home, such as chickens, goats or rabbits, you can take advantage of their waste. It should be noted that rabbit droppings are one of those that contain the highest nitrogen content and can therefore be added directly to the soil. On the other hand, the others must previously go through a composting process.
- Banana skins. Bananas are rich in potassium, which is of great benefit to our plants. Especially, for its flowering.
- Eggshells. They are of great benefit since, in addition to providing calcium carbonate, they serve as a pest repellent. To use them, crush them well and then add them to a homemade fertilizer. You can also put them in the sun, crush them into powder and spread it on the base of the plants.
- The coffee grounds. Since they provide a large amount of nitrogen, you can use it to make fertilizer or mix it directly into the soil.
- Human urine. Urine urea is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is a sterile product, as long as it comes from a body that is healthy. The recommendation is to dilute some urine in water and then add that mixture to your home fertilizer. After that, it will be ready to use.
- Vinegar. Vinegar has acetic acid, which is very beneficial for plants that deserve the soil to be acidic. To use it, you just have to dissolve the vinegar in a little water to water directly to the plants that deserve it.
Other materials that will serve as fertilizer are grass, worm humus, ash from the fireplace or campfires, etc. But what else should you take into account?
Tips for making organic fertilizer
Although it is true that you will have to invest a little time in the preparation of the fertilizer, in reality it is not about loss, but rather about profit. I say this because fertilizer brings great benefits to the land. For example:
- Improves its features. That is, the nutrients it contains, its acidity and its ability to retain water. For this reason, organic fertilizer is ideal for recovering soils that have been heavily exploited. However, the most noticeable effect is long-term.
- Resistance to diseases and pests. Since nutrients are responsible for strengthening microscopic organisms, soil and plants become more resistant to attack by different types of pests.
- It is 100% sustainable. The elaboration of this type of fertilizer involves the use of substances and wastes that, otherwise, would end up in the trash can. Therefore, this is an ecological way to strengthen the plants you have in your garden, yard or
As you have been able to realize, the process of making organic fertilizer is very simple. In addition, it brings great benefits for everyone, for plants, the soil, the planet and your pocket.
So, what are you waiting for to implement this technique and start preparing your own organic fertilizer at home? Remember that there are many types. You can choose the one of your preferences, taking into account the waste that you can best take advantage of to give them a new opportunity for use.