Some kitchen scraps are just too good to end up in the trash. Which waste products can be used as fertilizer and for which plants? How do you make natural fertilizers?
The waste from the kitchen can be of really good use, especially for those who have a garden. You've probably heard that things like coffee grounds, banana peels, etc. can be successfully used to fertilize plants. Today we would like to summarize the 7 best waste products as fertilizer that are simply too good for the trash can.
Fertilizer instead of waste: Plants love these inexpensive home remedies
It's no secret that you should fertilize both ornamental and commercial plants to promote healthy growth. In addition to water, air and light, most plants also need nutrients in the form of a suitable fertilizer. A quick stroll to the garden center is enough to see how many artificial fertilizers are available - both mineral and organic. But you don't necessarily have to use store-bought fertilizer, because there are many natural alternatives at home that can at least partially cover the plants' nutrient needs. Each of these home remedies is rich in nutrients that are important for different plants and can help them grow. Here are the best waste products to use as fertilizer:
Coffee and coffee grounds create an acidic humus soil
Coffee grounds are probably the best known, but also one of the best natural fertilizers ever. It doesn't deserve first place in this collection for nothing. AlthoughNot all plants like coffee grounds,There are a whole range of crops for which coffee residues are very valuable. These include plants that love acidic, humus-rich soil. These include, for exampleRhododendrons, hydrangeas, cucumbers, blueberries and zucchini. The coffee grounds are sprinkled directly around the plants and incorporated into the soil so that they decompose more quickly and provide the plant's roots with the necessary nutrients. Alternatively, you can cover the powder with a layer of mulch.
You can also plant houseplants directlypour with diluted coffee,Although dried coffee grounds are the better alternative for garden plants. However, the used coffee powder should always be cooled and dried well, otherwise it can become moldy and do more harm than good to the plants.
Eggshells provide valuable calcium
Eggshells can help plants build strong cell walls. They contain a large amount of calcium carbonate (also known as carbonate of lime), which some crops need to thrive. The shells therefore do not supply the soil with nutrients, but rather increase its lime content. The waste product can therefore be used to increase the pH value of the soil and neutralize any acidification. Eggshells also contain other important elements such as magnesium, which is essential for the light reaction of photosynthesis. Examples of plants that will benefit from this natural fertilizer are:Beans, peas, onions, chives, carrots, currants, raspberries, rosesu. a.
How to prepare fertilizer from eggshells?
First, rinse the eggshells thoroughly and allow them to dry completely. You should then definitely chop the shells, otherwise they will not rot well. You can use a pestle as well as a suitable device such as a coffee grinder or a blender. The main thing is that the peels are processed into a powder that can be raked directly into the soil of the corresponding plants.
Alternatively, you can make a liquid fertilizer by dissolving the powder in water and using it to water the plants.
A notice:In some cases, additional fertilization with eggshells is unnecessary. If you water your plants with calcareous tap water or your soil already has the necessary lime content, it is better not to fertilize it with eggshells. However, kitchen waste is very valuable in the garden when the plants need an extra dose of calcium.
Fertilize plants with potato water
Potatoes are an important part of German cuisine and there is hardly anyone who doesn't like them and cook them themselves. Next time you cook some potatoes in the pot, skip the salt and save the water after cooking. The unsalted potato water is packed with potassium and vitamins that plants likeTomatoes, cucumbers, cucurbits, roses, geraniumsand more is very useful. When using it, however, you should ensure that the water has cooled completely before pouring. Otherwise you can cause damage to the roots.
Other cooking water, such as from pasta or rice, can also correct a nutrient deficiency in various plants.Find out here, what you can also use pasta water for.
Banana peels are cheap waste products as fertilizer
Bananas are also rich in potassium, an important nutrient that helps plants move water between cells, form healthy roots, set fruit and flowers, and fight disease. Next time you eat an organic banana, instead of throwing away the peel, bury it next to one of your flowering plants in the garden. Be sure to cover them with a few inches of soil to prevent insect infestation and odor. As the shell decomposes, it releases its potassium and other nutrients into the soil, benefiting nearby plants.
You can also make a liquid fertilizer from banana peels, which is great for a variety of plants. These include, for exampleRoses, geraniums and fuchsias, but also tomatoes and cucumbers. We have detailed instructions on how to ferment bananas and use them to make fertilizerin this articleexplained.
Recycle used tea bags
If you're more of a tea lover and drink tea every day, you probably throw a whole lot of tea bags in the trash. However, this is a mistake because you can reuse the used tea bags and use them to make inexpensive fertilizer for your potted plants.
How to make the fertilizer:
Fill your teapot with water as usual, but instead of fresh tea bags, add one to three used green or black tea bags. Allow the tea to steep for about 15 minutes before removing the bags and allowing the tea to come to room temperature. Fill the watering can with the broth and water your plants as usual. The tea provides additional nutrients that promote strong roots and healthy new leaves. Plants that you can safely water with tea fertilizer are:Houseplants such as succulents, ferns and orchids, as well as garden plants such as hydrangea, rhododendron and azalea. You can then mix the contents of the tea bag into the soil of the plants.
Also interesting:How to fertilize orchids with tea?
Fish waste as fertilizer
Do you like cooking with fish? Saving leftover fish from the kitchen to make a mild, all-purpose garden fertilizer is a great way to give your plants a boost of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at the same time. Making your own fish emulsion fertilizer requires a little more handwork, but the result is one of the best natural fertilizers you can give your plants.
How to make fertilizer from fish
Blend the remaining parts of the fish such as the head, skin, tail, and scales in a high-speed blender to turn them into a fine powder. You can then either mix this powder into the substrate or add 1-2 spoonfuls of it to a bottle of water and use it to water the plants. This natural fertilizer is suitable for most garden plants includingVegetable plants such as cucumbers and tomatoes, fruit bushes, lawns and flowers.
Tipp: You can also fertilize tomatoes with fish residues by burying the residues about 10 centimeters below the young plants when planting.
Do not throw away expired milk
The milk has already turned sour? No, it doesn't necessarily have to be poured down the drain, because sour milk is a good fertilizer for plants that tolerate acidic soil. However, the natural fertilizer should be slightly diluted so as not to overacidify the soil. Plants that can be fertilized with milk include:Roses, ferns, perennials and tomatoes.In this postread more about whether and how you should water your tomatoes with milk.
