How To Prepare Homemade Fertilizer According To Benedict T Palen Jr.

Gardening involves the use of chemical fertilizers in order to promote the growth of plants. However, these can be costly and are far from being environmentally sustainable. Instead of buying expensive organic fertilizers at the local stores, there are some ways you can prepare your own organic fertilizer at home. Organic fertilizers are preferred as they replenish soil nutrients autonomously without the use of chemical products. This article will give you steps, according to Benedict T Palen Jr., that you can use to make homemade fertilizers for your home garden. 

 

Why should one produce fertilizer on their own?

 

Chemical fertilizers give nutrients in the short run, but in the long run, it hampers the soil health. They do not have a litter on which their food can exert digestive enzymes in order to be absorbed. However, homemade types feed plants by improving the quality of the soil in which the plants are planted. In a similar manner, with organic matters such as compost, eggshells, and decomposing plant materials, homemade fertilizers enhance soil structure and promote microbial growth. According to Benedict T Palen Jr., this results in better nutrient provision for the roots of plants and thus food for plants to grow adequately.

 

Compost Fertilizer

 

Compost is a general-purpose organic manure and conditioner for soil, plant growth, and garden use. Gather the food remains, like fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells, grass, dried leaves, etc., and put them into a container. Proper aeration and moisture are to be provided to avail the best environment for decomposition. Compost may take 2-3 months to form and will be dark in color, crumbly in texture, and have an earthy smell. Add compost in a ratio of 1:2 with soil in garden beds or when preparing potting media. When used as a soil amendment, it composts nutrients slowly, stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria, and holds moisture in the soil.

 

Coffee Ground Fertilizer 

 

Coffee grounds have Nitrogen, Potassium, and phosphorus, which are good for the growth of plants. It inhibits soil acidity and improves water absorption. Save the grounds from your morning coffee or tea for this experiment. Dry slightly before placing around plants, so avoid using them when the area is humid. To prepare the ground for seedlings, the ground should be mixed with the soil in the proportion of 1:4. In the case of replanting, put a little portion of it into the planting hole or the pot containing the plant. Water to allow the nutrients to percolate through the soil. A good example is the flowering plants, namely roses and azaleas. Coffee makes a very good fertilizer for them.

 

Banana Peel Fertilizer 

 

Bananas, hence, have moderate concentrations of essential plant nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Scatter and/or chop into small pieces and place them around the plants 2 to 5 inches below the ground. It’s just enough to get 1 to 2 peels per plant as it is sufficient for the anthelmintic property. They help to block weeds, make soils more manageable, and enhance other areas surrounding them. Roses, tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables are said to thrive well with this type of fertilizer, which is given occasionally.

 

Conclusion 

 

Organic fertilizers are cheap, readily made ways to supplement the needs of your garden and enhance your produce. Use basic things like compost mixes, coffee grounds, or manure teas more often as ways of replenishing the nutrient content of the soil. So, with this kind of caring for soil biology, your plants will grow and flourish in a healthy way, according to Benedict T Palen Jr. Lastly, it is always advisable to ensure that the fertilized areas are mulched well and that one should monitor the plant’s reaction to avoid over-fertilizing the plants.