Fertilizer is a soil amendment rich in macronutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Although in the past fertilizer was typically made from things like manure or bonemeal, however it’s now of a chemical process. Because more modern fertilizers are so potent, they must be used carefully to avoid harm to any plants. One way you can more carefully control what nutrients you put on your plants (while also saving some money) is by making your own fertilizer. It requires only a few ingredients and a little bit of knowledge about plant nutrients.

DIY vs. Commercial Fertilizer

Both DIY and Commerical fertilizers have their strengths and weaknesses. Commercial fertilizers are refined and can be very potent, which makes them reliable and effective for many needs. However, if you find that they are too potent in nitrogen and cause burns, then something a bit toned down may appeal to you. DIY fertilizers are not as refined as commercial ones, but they are inexpensive and environmentally friendly. You can also control what you put into your fertilizer to tailor it to your personal needs. 

Popular Ingredients

There are quite a few different ingredients that are used to make homemade fertilizer. To achieve a balanced fertilizer, you will need to know the nutrient make-up of these ingredients as well as your soil’s requirements. If you are unsure about what nutrients your soil needs, consider getting a soil test. These are relatively inexpensive and can help you understand which nutrients your soil needs.

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Coffee Grounds

The most essential nutrient for plants to grow is coffee grounds because they are high in nitrogen. Nitrogen helps make up chlorophyll, the chemical that makes plants green and helps them photosynthesize. Coffee grounds are perhaps the most popular DIY fertilizer because of the fact that they are usually accessible to most people. If you don’t make your own coffee, many cafes give away their coffee grounds for free. As a word of warning, coffee is quite acidic, so too much may harm your soil and plants. While there are some plants that prefer acidic soil, if you already have it, then it may be best to forgo coffee grounds as a soil amendment. 

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Epsom Salt

Chemically, epsom salt is called magnesium sulfate. Many plants have high magnesium needs, such as marigolds, bell peppers, roses, tomatoes, etc. Generally speaking, grasses don’t have a high need for magnesium, so it’s best to use Epsom salt for small areas like a vegetable garden. If after a soil test, you find that your soil is deficient in magnesium, epsom salt can be a very simple solution. Although Epsom salts are commonly used for baths, its main use is in large-scale agriculture. Luckily, it can also work for personal use because it is sold in smaller quantities for baths. The easiest way to use Epsom salt for fertilizer is to dissolve it in water. Dissolve one or two tablespoons of salt per gallon of water then water your plants sparingly.

Eggshells

Eggshells are almost completely made of calcium carbonate; this chemical compound is also found in limestone and is used in commercial scale farming. Not only does this add calcium to the soil, but it also increases its pH. This can be especially helpful if you are also using acidic materials to fertilize. To used eggshells in fertilizer, you only need to make eggshells into a fine powder by using a blender or mortar and pestle.

Organic Material

You can consider using leaves or grass clippings for a less acidic alternative to coffee grounds. While not as high in nitrogen as coffee grounds, they do contain other macronutrients like phosphorus and potassium. Leaves and grass clippings are easily accessible and come at no cost. It is best to grind up these organic materials as finely as possible so that their nutrients can be absorbed more quickly.

Other Materials

There are some other less common materials that you may find useful for DIY fertilizer. For example, blood meal can also be used to raise the nitrogen in your soil, but it is more expensive and harder to come by than coffee grounds. That being said, blood meal is about six times more potent in nitrogen than coffee grounds, so you will be able to use less. Another animal-based nitrogen option is fish parts. This is a centuries-old recipe that also includes trace minerals and beneficial bacteria. These nutrients can also be found in the water of a fish tank, so if you keep fish, this can be a sustainable option for you.

Other plant-based options also exist. If instead, you are looking to raise your soil’s potassium levels, bananas or their peel can be a good option. Another option to raise potassium as well as calcium in your soil is with wood ash. Ash can also be used to raise a soil’s pH; this can be done in the place of lime. Because ash has a very high pH, be careful not to use it if your soil is already very alkaline. If you instead need to lower the pH of your soil, you can use the aforementioned coffee grounds or even a little bit of vinegar.

What to Do

You need to gather all the ingredients you wish to use to actually make your first fertilizer. A very popular recipe includes coffee grounds, egg shells, and leaves, but use whatever will most benefit your soil. Grind up your ingredients as finely as you can with either a blender or mortar and pestle, combine them, and incorporate them into your soil. Some choose to bury ingredients like banana peel or fish parts, however, you should be aware that the nutrients in these buried ingredients will take a longer time to incorporate into the soil.