Fertilizer is a product that can be spread or mixed with the soil, in order to provide plants with the nutrients necessary for their growth. In fact, it fertilizes plants and stimulates their flowering. You can therefore use chemical fertilizers, or use ingredients from your kitchen.
To fertilize the soil and stimulate the growth of your plants, you can use natural and handy ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen.
What fertilizer nutrients does a plant need?
The main nutrients a green plant needs are:
- Potassium: it allows the plant to protect itself from external aggressions and to regulate its water supply.
- Phosphorus: it promotes the flowering or fruiting of a plant and stimulates the development of its roots
- Nitrogen: it stimulates the growth of plants and allows them to produce new tissues.
These fertilizing elements can be found in different types of mineral fertilizers, such as nitrogen or complex fertilizers, or in organic fertilizers.
What are the natural fertilizers that promote plant growth?
The kitchen is full of effective natural ingredients to stimulate plant growth.
- Natural fertilizer with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a natural fertilizer rich in phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen and potassium. Its pH is slightly acidic, and it is especially suitable for acidophilic plants, which appreciate acidic soil, such as tomatoes or hydrangeas. Sprinkle a little coffee grounds at the base of the plants or incorporate it into the soil, without excess, so as not to stimulate the development of the plants to the detriment of flowering. Note that coffee grounds can also act as a compost activator. It can therefore be incorporated into compost, like nettle manure. Avoid overdose so as not to inhibit plant growth. Note that compost is also an excellent fertilizer for plants. This fertilizer is composed of plant waste and organic matter.
- Natural fertilizer with eggshells
Thanks to their mineral and amino acid content, eggshells constitute an excellent organic fertilizer for plants. To do this, you can crush your shells using a mortar and pestle, to obtain a powder that you will spread at the base of your plants. Lightly scrape the soil with a garden claw to better incorporate it. You can also use an infusion of eggshells as watering water, to hydrate your plants and nourish them by providing them with the nutrients necessary for their growth. Note that eggshells are also effective in repelling parasites, pests and gastropods. They are also used to enrich compost and balance its pH, to make it less acidic.
- Natural fertilizer with orange peels
Fruit peels can also be used to fertilize the soil, especially citrus peels. We can take the example of orange peels. The latter are rich, among other things, in calcium, potash, magnesium and nitrogen. To do this, finely cut the fresh orange peels with a knife. Then scrape the soil lightly with a garden claw, and place the small pieces of orange peels in the soil. Cover them with soil and water. Another tip is to dry the orange peels first, and put them in a blender to obtain a powder which you will then spread at the base of your plants .
- Natural fertilizer with banana peels
Banana peel is an organic waste that enriches the soil thanks to its content of nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iron. Placed in the compost, the banana peel releases nutrients essential to the development of plants, which also stimulate their rooting and make them resistant to disease. You can choose to mulch your plants with strips of banana peels or prepare a liquid fertilizer. To do this, cut the banana skins into small pieces and soak them in a bucket of water. Leave it on for a few days then filter the liquid and use it to water your plants. To fertilize the soil and make your plants grow, you can also use Epsom salt, wood ashes, or even horse manure.
Do not hesitate to use these natural fertilizers to fertilize the soil and stimulate the growth and flowering of your indoor, garden or vegetable garden plants.
