5 natural fertilisers that can be found in your house
You don’t need to go further than your own home to find the ingredients for all-natural fertilisers that will meet all of your garden needs.
Coffee grounds – Acid-loving plants such as tomatoes, blueberries, roses and azaleas appreciate a caffeine hit too. Sprinkle on the soil before watering.
Banana peels – Roses love potassium so throw a couple of peels in the hole before you plant. Otherwise, bury peels under mulch so it can compost naturally.
Egg shells - Crush the egg shells and sprinkle into soil near tomato plants. Egg shells are 93 per cent calcium carbonate, helping fend of blossom end rot.
Seaweed – Both fresh and dry versions work well. Chop up a bunch of seaweed and place in a bucket of water. Let it sit for a couple weeks, loosely covered. Use the mixture on soil and foliage. Otherwise, let seaweed dry out to a crisp and crumble it over soil.
Grass clippings – Finally a reason not to pick up those grass clippings after mowing the lawn. Clippings make excellent fertilisers, adding precious nitrogen back to the soil. Plus, they’re free! Short clippings decompose quickly so if you mow often enough, it won’t grow to unmanageable and unsightly levels. Alternatively, you can mix grass clippings into bucket of water. Let it sit for a couple of days. Mix one cup of the grass tea with 10 cups of water, and apply to base of plants.
Related links:
7 ways to make sure your garden is eco-friendly
Over60 community gardeners’ top tips
The bee necessities: why you should take up beekeeping and how