Garden Fertilizer-10 Easy, Affordable Options

Mary, Mary…how does your garden grow?   

“Mary” may tout silver bells and cockle shells but mine grows with the help of organic garden fertilizer! That Mary….such a kidder!

Do you have trouble getting your garden to grow? Maybe it’s growing but you’ve noticed a decrease in production? The issue may be with the condition of your soil and not your gardening skills. Nursery rhymes aside, you can grow your best garden ever. All you you need is a little help from your friend, fertilizer!

Learning is continual when it comes to garden fertilizer:

Our gardens have always been productive. But last summer we noticed a slight decline in the amount of peppers we grow for our homemade hot sauce. Also, the plants themselves didn’t look as healthy as in previous years. This was our reality check that something needed to be done.

Normally, I add organic fertilizers throughout the growing season. Depending on the issue, I can apply fertilizer on a single plant or a whole row as needed. We had been growing for five years with no issues. Fertilizing the entire garden has never been on our radar. Now it was overdue!

We decided to save time and treat all the gardens in one fell swoop. If you’re on my email list, you’ll remember that we tilled in a truckload of mushroom compost at the end of last garden season. The gardens definitely needed it as they started growing grass almost immediately!

Now, this doesn’t mean I will no longer be using the organic options listed below. Plants continually pull nutrients from the soil. So it stands to reason that soil will always need a little boost.

One application of mushroom compost won’t feed the soil indefinitely. So I will continue to use these other options as a “spot treatment” when needed. The smaller applications are not only easier to manage than shoveling a truckload of compost, they’re more cost effective as well!

We will also be practicing yearly crop rotation. But that’s a whole ‘nother post!

Fertilizer vs. Plant Food

True or False: “Fertilizer” is the same as “plant food”?

You may be surprised to learn that they are NOT the same!

Many people use the terms interchangeably. The fact is that plants get their “food” from the sun, air and rain. Plant anything in a sunny location and it will grow. With or without fertilizer. A field of wild flowers is a good example of this. Check out the term  “photosynthesis” and you’ll get a better idea of how that works.

It can be likened to eating a meal versus taking a vitamin supplement.

Fertilizers feed the soil…not the plant.

Check out this post if you want more in-depth information about fertilizer.

 

 

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Before you fertilize:

Know what your soil pH is before you do anything to the soil. Too much fertilizer is just as bad as not having enough. Some plants like a lot of acidity. Other plants, not so much. A simple soil test will let you know what, if anything, is missing.

Let’s say you’ve planted tomatoes. They started out like gang-busters but now you notice the leaves are turning yellow. Or the blossoms fall off before the fruit develops. The issue is with your soil, not your plants.

Another example could be that your plants are growing but not producing fruit. When the plant does produce fruit, it is misshapen or shriveled.

This is a clear indication there is a nutrient missing in your soil. That’s where a soil test comes in handy. You will save yourself a lot of heartache if you know what your soil needs before you plant.

 

 

Now I don’t know about you, but I prefer to use something that is easy, inexpensive, readily available and not filled with chemicals. And I’m willing to bet that you already have some of these items in your home. Because they’re organic, they’re safe for humans and animals.

Ten Easy, Organic Garden Fertilizers:

This list contains DIY options using items you would normally throw away. I have tried several on this list and had success with most of them. As all gardens and soils are different, your results will vary. You lose nothing in trying these options and may even save a few pennies (and the earth) in the process!

Coffee grounds:

If you’re anything like us, you can’t function without this “nectar of the gods” to start the day. That means you also have a lot of used coffee grounds to dispose of. Why not use them in the garden? They’re high in nitrogen  so you want to spread them sparingly. Coffee grounds will do wonders for peppers, parsley, potatoes and some flowering bushes. Avoid mildew by allowing the grounds to dry out first. Simply spread them around the base of your plants.

Epsom Salt:

Not only is it good in a long, hot soak but it’s also good for the garden! Mix it into the soil at the time of planting and it can help seeds germinate. Add 1 tbsp. to a gallon of water and use to water plants every 2 weeks as needed. This will produce a bushier, more bloom-filled plant.

Banana Peels:

You know they’re high in potassium. But did you know they also contain phosphorous and calcium? Chop one up, throw it in the hole and cover slightly with a handful of dirt. Then drop in your plant. You could also steep a banana peel in water for 2-3 days. Strain out the peel and use the water as needed. This works well on plants like squash and zucchini.

Egg Shells:

We have chickens. That means we also have lots of egg shells. I let my shells dry on the counter (or in the oven if I’m in a hurry). Once dried, I crush them between wax paper with a rolling pin. They get stored in a baggie until I’m ready to spread them around the base of my tomato plants. Not only do my plants receive the nutrients from the shells, but the jagged edges of the shells cut down on slugs, snails and tomato worms. If you can remember to save the water that you boil your eggs in, your plants will like that too!

Ash:

If you have a wood-burning fireplace or wood stove, you have wood ash. We generally use this during the winter when the garden is dormant. Spread it thinly and work it in with a garden rake. This stuff is nasty if you inhale it. Make sure you wear a face mask and you’re up-wind when you spread it. Because wood ash is very alkaline, you don’t want to use a lot of it. And don’t use it where you plant potatoes. I’ve never had this issue but I understand it can cause scab disease.

 

 

Fish Emulsion:

We also do a lot of fishing but have not tried this one. Yet. If you can stand the smell, use discarded fish parts to make a “tea” which can be used to water your plants. You need to let the fish parts steep for about a month before straining them out. This emulsion should be diluted in more water before using. It’s high in nitrogen so you’ll want to use is sparingly. I’ve also heard you can toss the fish carcass right into the hole beneath the plant. No lingering smell either!

Seaweed:

This is another option I’d like to try since it’s free. If you live near, or have plans to visit the beach, scoop up a bunch to take home. My research indicates that seaweed helps with soil structure and helps plants to absorb nutrients better. Let it dry out and then grind it down to a powder before spreading in the garden. If you’ve tried this, I’d love to know how it worked for you!

Molasses:

As good on the garden as it is on a hot biscuit! Molasses contains calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. It promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria or microorganisms in the garden. Add 2-3 tbsp. to a gallon of water. Spray on the leaves or pour around the base of the plants. So safe it can be used as often as every 2 weeks.

Manure:

Cow, horse, goat or chicken…it’s all good! Can be added to compost or used to “side dress” between rows of plants. Like compost, manure will burn plants unless it’s allowed to age for a few weeks. You can also make a “tea” out of manure. Simply add manure to a bucket of water and steep for a week or so. Strain out the waste and use the water as needed. The waste can go in the compost pile.

Bone Meal:

Yep, it is exactly what it sounds like! Use those leftover chicken or beef bones to help flowering plants, like roses, grow bigger. This is a lengthy process that involves boiling the bones for several hours to soften them. Once softened and pliable, allow the bones to dry out completely and become brittle. After that, they’re ready to be ground into powder. Add bone meal powder to a homemade compost pile or straight manure. This helps to balance out the higher nitrogen levels that are found in both.

 

Compost “Tea”:

Many of these items can be added to a compost pile or can be used to make “compost tea”. Add any combination of coffee grounds, banana peels, egg shells, grass clippings (not weeds), seaweed or manure to a large bucket and add water. Stir well, cover and let sit for a week or longer. Strain out the solids and toss them in the compost pile. Use the water as needed.

As you can see, garden fertilizers don’t have to be expensive, complicated or harmful to man and beast. If you don’t have time or space for a compost pile, fertilizer “teas” may be a good option.

No soil is perfect. To be honest, it can take years of amending to make it so. As gardeners, we need to help it along. And as long as plants continue to take advantage of soil nutrients, soil will need tweaking from one growing season to another.

My two cents:

Gertrude Jekyll once wrote “The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies”. If you’ve ever grown a garden, you can relate to this! This is our sixth year of gardening here on the farm. Although I dread the manual labor involved, I’m chomping at the bit to get seeds started. Every year. It’s become an addiction of sorts!

Now, more than ever, I need the feeling of self-sufficiency that gardening gives. We live in uncertain times. While many may wonder how they’ll feed their families, we don’t have that worry. I know I can walk into my pantry, pull a couple of jars and have a meal ready in minutes. And don’t get me started on all the health and financial benefits that go along with it. Growing, canning and preserving your own food is simply the smart thing to do!

Go forth and grow something awesome!

Did I mention your favorite garden fertilizer in this list? What have you used that gives you good, consistent results? I’d love to hear from you so leave a comment below! And please feel free to share the love (this post) with friends and family.

Before you go, don’t miss out on future posts! Join my tribe and get my monthly newsletter containing informational tips and tricks for garden, home and health! You’ll automatically get my Fertilizer Tracker when you join! And I’d be tickled pink if you followed me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Until next time,

lisa