Learn How to Make Your Own Fertilizer

Use in Place of:

Houseplant food
Vegetable fertilizer
Rose plant food

What You Need:

• 1 Tablespoon Epsom salt
• 1 gallon water
• A watering can

What You Do:

1. Dissolve the Epsom salt in water.
2. Use the solution to water your plants.
3. Repeat once a month to maintain efficacy.

Why This Works:

Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate – both vital plant nutrients. Some magnesium-loving plants to try it on: houseplants, roses, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.

Use in Place of:

Rose plant food
Soil acidifiers

What You Need:

• Used coffee grounds
• A cookie sheet
• Newspaper

What You Do:

1. Line a cookie sheet with newspaper.
2. Then, spread your used coffee grounds out on the sheet, and allow them to dry completely.
3. Sprinkle the grounds around the base of your acid-loving plants. Azaleas, roses, rhododendrons and blueberries are just some of the plants that will benefit from this treatment.

Note: Be careful not to over do it with the grounds. Even acid-loving plants can get too much acid.

Why This Works:

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium – all important plant nutrients. They're also naturally acidic, so they can help you boost the acidity of the soil.

Tip: Starbucks gives away big bags of grounds for free.

Use in Place of:

Garden lime

What You Need:

• Egg shells
• A blender

What You Do:

1. Save your eggs shells, and allow them to air dry.
2. Then, place the dried shells in a blender, and pulse until they're powdery-fine.
3. Sprinkle the shells around the plants in your garden.

Why This Works:

Eggs shells are made up almost entirely of calcium carbonate – the main ingredient in agricultural lime.

Use in Place of:

Houseplant fertilizer
Rose plant food
Soil acidifiers

What You Need:

• 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 gallon water
• A watering can

What You Do:

1. Combine the white vinegar and water.
2. Use the solution to water your plants.
3. Repeat every three months.

Why This Works:

The acetic acid in vinegar works to increase the acidity of the soil – just the thing for acid-loving plants. Just don't use straight vinegar to fertilize your plants. Undiluted vinegar is an herbicide.

• How to Test Soil Acidity/Alkalinity Without a Test Kit

Use in Place of:

Any fertilizer

What You Need:

• Used fish tank water

What You Do:

1. Save the dirty water from your fish tank.
2. Then, use it to water your plants.

Why This Works:

Used fish tank water is full of nitrogen and other nutrients that plants need to thrive.

Use in Place of:

Garden fertilizer
Garden lime

What You Need:

• Fireplace ash

What You Do:

1. Sprinkle cool (never hot) fireplace ash over your garden beds, and work it into the soil.

Note: Fireplace ash should not be used if your soil is alkaline. It also shouldn't be used around acid-loving plants, unless you're trying to turn hydrangeas pink.

Why This Works:

Fireplace ash is rich in potassium and calcium carbonate.If your soil is too acidic, it'll help to balance out the pH, so your plants are better able to absorb the nutrients that are present in the soil.

• More Free Soil Amendments for Your Garden

Use in Place of:

Any fertilizer

What You Need:

• Kitchen and garden scraps

What You Do:

​1. Save your fruit and vegetable scraps, newspapers, grass clippings and other compostable materials, and use them to start a compost bin or pile.

2. Add a bit of water from time to time, and turn your pile to speed up the composting process.

3. When everything has broken down into a dark, rich soil, spread it in your garden, and enjoy the results.

Why This Works:

Compost is loaded with nutrients and microorganisms that are good for your garden.

See Also: How to Make a Compost Bin from a Trash Can