12 Homemade fertilizers for plants easy to find at home

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Why it works: Used coffee grounds supply nitrogen (N) and mildly acidify soil for blueberries, azaleas, and other acid-loving species.

  1. Dry spent grounds on a baking sheet for 24h.
  2. Sprinkle a thin layer (1/4″) of grounds around the drip line of the plant.
  3. Lightly work into the top 1″ of soil to prevent crusting.
  4. Use once per month; avoid overapplication to prevent compaction.

Best for: Blueberries, azaleas, gardenias, rhododendrons.

3. Eggshell Calcium Powder

Why it works: Crushed eggshells are an excellent source of calcium (Ca), preventing blossom-end rot in tomatoes and peppers.

  1. Rinse clean eggshells to remove residue.
  2. Bake at 200°F for 10 minutes to sterilize.
  3. Grind in a spice grinder to a fine powder.
  4. Mix 1 Tbsp of powder into each planting hole or sprinkle around existing plants and water in.

Best for: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplant

4. Epsom Salt Magnesium Drench

Why it works: Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) provides magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S), essential for chlorophyll production and nutrient uptake.

  1. Dissolve 1 Tbsp Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water.
  2. Apply to soil at the base of plants every 4–6 weeks.
  3. Optional foliar spray: Use 1 tsp per quart of water; mist leaves in early morning.

Best for: Tomatoes, roses, peppers, houseplants showing yellowing leaves.

5. Molasses Microbe Stimulant

Why it works: Unsulfured molasses feeds beneficial soil microbes, enhancing nutrient cycling.

  1. Mix 2 Tbsp molasses in 1 gallon of warm water.
  2. Stir until fully dissolved.
  3. Apply as a root drench at 1 cup per plant every month.

Best for: Vegetable gardens, potted plants, compost pile accelerant.

6. Aquarium Water Nutrient Boost

Why it works: Freshwater aquarium water is rich in nitrogen and trace minerals from fish waste.

  1. Collect water during tank cleaning.
  2. Apply directly to soil around plants—no dilution needed.
  3. Use weekly for continuous gentle feeding.

Best for: Vegetable patches, houseplants, seedlings.

7. Wood Ash Mineral Sprinkle

Why it works: Wood ash supplies potassium and calcium carbonate, raising pH in acidic soils.

  1. Collect cooled, sifted ash from a wood stove or fireplace.
  2. Sprinkle ¼ cup per 10 sq ft of garden bed.
  3. Work lightly into the top 2″ of soil.
  4. Test soil pH after two weeks; apply only if pH is below 6.5.

Best for: Acidic garden beds, berry patches, annual flowers.

8. Gelatin Nitrogen Supplement

Why it works: Gelatin is a protein that slowly releases nitrogen as it breaks down.

  1. Dissolve 1 tsp unflavored gelatin in 1 cup hot water.
  2. Let cool, then dilute in 1 gallon of water.
  3. Apply as a root drench once per month.

Best for: Leafy greens, ornamentals, seedlings.

9. Milk & Water Calcium Feed

Why it works: Diluted milk provides calcium and a small protein boost, improving cell wall strength.

  1. Mix 1 part milk to 4 parts water.
  2. Apply at soil level every 4–6 weeks.
  3. Avoid foliar application in heat to prevent mildew.

Best for: Tomato  plants, peppers, roses.

10. Seaweed Mineral & Hormone Infusion

Why it works: Seaweed is loaded with trace minerals, natural auxins, and cytokinins that stimulate root growth.

  1. Rinse fresh seaweed to remove salt.
  2. Chop and pack into a bucket; cover with water.
  3. Steep for 7–10 days, stirring daily.
  4. Strain and dilute 1:5 with water; apply monthly.

Best for: Transplants, root crops, container plants.

11. Vegetable Scrap Broth

Why it works: Boiled vegetable scraps leach nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium—into a gentle broth.

  1. Collect veggie scraps (carrot tops, potato peels, leafy ends).
  2. Boil in 2 gallons of water for 20 minutes.
  3. Cool and strain solids.
  4. Use undiluted as a soil drench every 2 weeks.

Best for: Flower beds, vegetable gardens.

12. Weed Tea (Free Nutrient Source)

Why it works: Common weeds like dandelion and chickweed are nutrient accumulators. Steeping them yields a potent tea rich in nitrogen and trace elements.

  1. Harvest young, non-flowering weeds; avoid invasive species seeds.
  2. Chop and place in a porous bag in a bucket of water.
  3. Steep for 7–10 days, stirring daily.
  4. Strain and dilute 1:5; apply every 3 weeks.

Best for: Established gardens, rose bushes, shrubs.

Application & Rotation Tips

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