Natural fertilisers you can find in the kitchen
Your kitchen cupboard is full of ingredients you can use to fertilise your garden and keep your plants and cut flowers looking their best.
Here’s some of our favourite natural fertilisers from your kitchen to try.
Coffee grounds
There’s plenty of clever uses for coffee grounds, and looking after your garden is one of them. They can help banish slugs and welcome worms when sprinkled over soil. Plants such as blueberries, roses, tomatoes and azaleas also react well. Sprinkle over soil and water as normal. The nitrogen from the coffee grounds will help give your acid-loving plants a natural boost.
Egg shells
Egg shells are another unusual kitchen ingredient that can have a second life out in the garden. Rinse then crush the egg shells finely into a powder, then work into the soil around vegetable plants like tomatoes and peppers. Shells are 93% calcium carbonate, which can help fend off rot and help promote stronger stalks and leaves. It also works well in any homemade potting mix.
Seaweed
Seaweed – even dried seaweed – makes an excellent plant food because it’s high in potassium. Chop the seaweed and mix with water. Leave it to soak overnight – for several days or a week is even better – then water plants as normal.
Epsom salts
Epsom salts offer a quick dose of magnesium and sulphur for your plants. Add a small amount to your soil, or, once a month dissolve a tablespoon to a gallon of water and put into a spray bottle and spray directly to the foliage.
Molasses
Molasses is an excellent natural source of iron, sulphur, potash, calcium, potassium, magnesium and more. When added to soil, it feeds beneficial bacteria to promote healthy soil and healthy plants. Dissolve a few tablespoons into a gallon of water and then water your plants as normal.
Aspirin
You can extend the life of cut flowers by adding aspirin to your vase or dissolving an aspirin in water and watering potted flowers.
What are your favourite natural fertilisers? Share your wisdom in the comments below!
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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