Making Liquid Fertilizer

Making Liquid Fertilizer

No matter what it is made from, be it seaweed, vegetable scraps, manure, or just plain weeds, liquid fertiliser plays a major role in the fertility of farm soil.

Liquid fertiliser can be made from many different materials. Its steps are also easy. It involves you mixing something high in nitrogen with other nutrients and water, before allowing the concoction sit for a spell, which could take several weeks.

Although some techniques employ a blender, you can still make liquid fertiliser if you own a kitchen, a pail, and a hose.

The benefits of homemade liquid fertiliser are numerous. Apart from being a huge money-saver, it is environmentally-friendly.

By making your own liquid fertiliser, you’ll be giving new life to waste materials, such as vegetable scraps and weeds, and reducing the amount of trash you generate.

The following procedures are to be observed when making liquid fertiliser from vegetable scraps, manure, weeds and yard trimmings.

HOMEMADE LIQUID FERTILISER FROM VEGETABLE SCRAPS

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable scraps, Epsom salt, ammonia (optional), water.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Blender, five gallon bucket.

STEEPING TIME: Twenty-four hours.

The process begins with saving all your cooked or raw vegetable scraps in the freezer until you have a couple of quarts’ worth.

Alternatively, you can save the water from boiling pasta or vegetables, which is also a good source of nutrients.

To make the ‘scrap puree’ which will form the base of your fertiliser, thaw your frozen scraps and puree them in a blender with enough water to make a smooth consistency. Pour the pureed scraps into your large bucket.

For every blender full of puree, add 1/2 a teaspoon of Epsom salt and one capful of ammonia to the bucket. Repeat this process until all your scraps are pureed.

Stir the bucket and let it sit overnight. To mix up a batch of liquid fertiliser, add one quart of puree to one gallon of warm water, and shake to mix. Apply to the soil at the base of your plants.

HOMEMADE LIQUID FERTILISER FROM MANURE

INGREDIENTS: Manure of your choice and water.

Equipment required: Five gallon bucket, or a larger vessel if you want a really big batch of fertiliser.

Steeping time: Four weeks.

If you own a livestock farm, or you have a farm in your area, you can make a truly exceptional liquid fertiliser from livestock manure. This process is definitely best done outside.

To embark on this, you’ll need a bucket, some water, and a shovelful of manure. Steep for four weeks and apply to the soil at the base of your plants.

Farmers should note that manure is incredibly high in nitrogen.

HOMEMADE LIQUID FERTILISER FROM WEEDS AND YARD TRIMMINGS

INGREDIENTS: Weeds, yard trimmings, mowed grass, water.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Five gallon bucket, or a bigger vessel if you want a large volume of fertiliser.

STEEPING TIME: Four weeks.

Get freshly pulled or plucked weeds from your garden and put a few handfuls in your five-gallon bucket. Trimmings such as tomato suckers work as well.

Fill the rest of the bucket with water, and leave it to steep for the allotted time. The steeping process is best done outside, as it can get a little smelly. When ready, apply to the soil at the base of your plants.

Homemade liquid fertiliser is easy, environmentally friendly, and essentially free. It’s a great way to convert waste into something valuable, and a terrific way to boost fertility in the garden.