Over the years our readers have submitted some of their favorite tips for making homemade plant food. You can find these tips below.
Did you know that Epsom salt is a common fertilizer that can be used in your yard and garden? Right on the bag it says that you can sprinkle 2 tbsp. of Epsom salts around the base of tomatoes, roses, evergreens, azaleas, rhododendrons, and trees. It is also great for fertilizing indoor plants.
Try this DIY recipe: Once a month, you can water your houseplants with a mixture of: 1 tablespoon Epson Salts, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. household ammonia, 1 gallon of water.
- One reader suggested giving houseplants your leftover cold coffee. This works particularly well for ivy plants.
- Another method is to collect eggshells after baking and place them in a glass jar covered with water. Don't put the lid on tight. Let the eggshells sit for about a month and keep adding additional egg shells as you acquire them. Add more water if necessary. When you are ready to fertilize, dilute it (1 cup egg shell solution to 1 gallon plain water) and use it to water all of your plants. Your plants will love it!
- According to another reader, Knox unflavored gelatin is really good for houseplants. They agreed that mixing finely crushed rinsed eggshells into your potting soil would give your houseplants a good boost. The eggshells are a good substitute for bonemeal.
- If you have a fish tank, when you change the water in the tank, use the water you take out to water your plants. Your plants will love fish fertilizer!
- One reader once a month pours a can of room temperature beer into each of her plants. She has had one plant for over 15 years.
- A wonderful plant food is regular green tea. You can buy it at Dollar General for one dollar a box. Dilute the tea with two gallons of water. You can use this every time you water. Plants love it.
- Another homemade plant food recipe featuring beer is: 1 cup beer, 1 cup epson salts, 1/2 cup ammonia, and 2 cups water. Use 1/2 oz. on each plant every two weeks. Great for all houseplants, especially orchids.
- One last recipe is: 1 cup used coffee grounds, egg shells from 2 eggs (process in coffee grinder), 1/16 oz. ammonia, 1 cup water, 1/8 tsp. Epson salts. Stir together until well mixed. You can spoon this mixture around the base of most flowering plants, except for African Violets. Don't mix it into the soil, just let is sit on top if the soil. Apply this mixture monthly.
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