I am sure, you would have heard about the term Life cycle. Yes, we all have, in our school days, not just heard, but learned about it. Life cycle of a plant has seen tremendous development over years. From traditional farming methods, we have moved to modern methods of farming, clearly using more pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers. But are these good for the long run of the Plant life cycle? I am sure everyone here, knows the answer but, we have no clue, what can be done about it.
One way to go about this issue, is to go back to traditional farming. That is a far-fetched conclusion but for now the best we could do is grow our own vegetables and fruits. Earlier, a lot of people opted for home cultivation methods, not because it was cheap: which indeed it is even today. But because they could eat fresh and stay healthy. Now, all we need to do is get those old days back, by growing our own garden full of veggies, fruits and herbs.
For this traditional cultivation, we also need to stick to the old methods. Which of course is not to use chemical based fertilizers. But we are however convinced that the market purchased fertilizers are the best to provide our plant nutrients, which is not true; as most of these fertilizers contains chemicals which effect the fertility of the soil in the long run also these fertilizers are not environment friendly.
Before getting to know more on Organic fertilizers, let´s see the difference between the home produced and the market sold fertilizers, i.e, Organic and Chemical fertilizers.
Organic Vs. Chemical fertilizers
We all are familiar about these two types of fertilizers. But how differently do they work on the plant is the question. The Chemical based fertilizers have a combination of N-P-K compounds in high concentration. N-P-K is the concentration ratio of chemical nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium found on the bought fertilizer package. This heavily concentrated fertilizer works directly on the plant and shows instant effect on its growth. But sadly, this fertilizer effects the fertility of the soil, kills the micronutrients and other organisms in the soil which are good for the plant. The fertilizers with repeated use, adversely effects the plant growth and the crop quality.
On contrary, the Organic fertilizers are the ones which provide the plant with necessary nutrients through soil. The soil breaks down the compound organic fertilizer and make it edible for the soil, these nutrients channelize from the roots up to the needy plant. This consumes a hell more of time as compared to the chemical fertilizers, which works directly on the plant than the Organic ones which works on the plants through the soil. The organic fertilizers benefit your plant in the long run and helps the environment.
As we can see that the Chemical fertilizers can be harmful to our environment, we should look for some alternatives.
So what alternative do we have?
It’s a simple and an effective one—Make your own fertilizers to use.
Home-made fertilizers could be used as a resource to enrich the plant in the same way as the market purchased ones. Here, with the benefit, that these are free of cost unlike the market ones. So, if you want to save some bucks over those chemical based fertilizers, then let us start making some fertilizers at home from our home-produced waste.
Making fertilizers at home is quite easy and on budget project to do, with just some knowledge and understanding on fertilizers and its effect on plants can get a long way with great healthy, organic plants.
To get those great plants, we first need to understand, that, the key to this is good soil. Plants absorb nutrients from its soil. Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are highly demanded by the plants for a healthy growth, with small amount of calcium and magnesium.
Till now we might have understood that N-P-K are the highly important nutrients that our plants demands. But to make home-made fertilizers, we also need to understand its need and how it effects the plant.
Nitrogen is required by the plant to grow healthy stems and lush green leaves. If you notice the chemical fertilizer package that state `Fast growth´, there you will realize a balanced ratio of N-P-K, with high amount of nitrogen.
Phosphorous is required by the roots to create a healthy foundation of the plant. Phosphorous is also required for rapid blooming. The chemical fertilizers for flowering plants have high phosphorous amount in the N-P-K ratio of the fertilizer.
Potassium works in managing the water flow through the plant and its efficient use. It is necessary for the growth of the plant and works for the immunity of the plant by making the plant, insect and pest resistant. Lack of potassium in the plant, can turn its leaves yellow.
Those are the nutrients, the plant requires the most and now we are going to see, how we can feed the plants with our home-made organic fertilizers.
Let´s get our home-produced waste to a right use!
Banana Peel: Banana is a very nutritive fruit and we as humans gain a lot out of this fruit. It could be interesting to know that plant can also gain a lot out of this fruit´s peel. Use banana peel as a fertilizer to provide nutrient like potassium to your plant.
How to use:
Take the peel and cut in piece, now add the pieces to the top layer of the soil.
Alternative:
Take the peel and put it in a small bucket with 1 litre of water.
Keep this water over night and use it to water the plants.
Wood Ashes:
Wood ashes can be used as a great resource to feed plants. The wood ash is high in potassium providing the plant with highly demanded nutrient. Avoid its use for the citric plants, as the ashes are alkaline and can affect the citric intensity of the plant.
How to use:
Sprinkle the ashes over the soil.
Tea:
Used tea bags are the other form of organic fertilizer to the plant. Black and green tea can make a good fertilizer. Tea contains antioxidants which benefits the plant growth and improves its immunity. Do not use it daily, to be used once every 3 weeks.
How to use:
Place the used tea bag in 1 litre of water and let it steep overnight.
Use this water to water the plants.
Alternative:
Dry out the tea bags and remove the content.
Sprinkle the dried tea on the soil.
Egg Shells: Egg shells contain nitrogen, phosphoric acid and traces of calcium. So, egg shell can do a lot of benefit to the plant´s growth. Calcium is required in cell formation and growth, for which egg shells can work wonders. The soil absorbs calcium from the soil for the purpose of cell enhancement, to retreat the soil with calcium, egg shell is a great option.
How to use:
Grind the egg shell to get a powder.
Sprinkle the powder over the soil.
Cooking water: Strained water from boiled veggies can also make a great fertilizer to your dear plants. While boiling the vegetables, they secrete different nutrients, which are beneficial to both humans and plants. But we end up throwing that nutritive water, so at least let the plant benefit out of it.
How to use:
Use cooking water to water the plants, after it has reached its normal temperature.
Here is why you should never throw out Potato peels
Potato peels: Almost everyone likes potato and so, almost every house-hold produces potato skin waste. But to put it to a great use is important here. Potato peels are rich in nutrients like fiber, iron, vitamins. They are undoubtedly, a great way to enrich the plants with needed nutrients.
How to use:
Cut the peels in small pieces and add them to the top layer of the soil.
Make sure you mix them well in the top layer, or else it may catch fungus.
If you experience fungus even after putting the peels inside the soil, then make sure to use well dried potato peels next time.
Cow dung: Cow dung is a waste produced by cows. This is the undigested residue of plants which passed through the cow´s gut and the resultant is high in minerals. The dark brown coloured dung is good to be used as manure or fertilizer to plants. This will help to enrich the quality of the soil and indirectly of the plant.
How to use:
Use the dried cow dung, mix the dung to your soil.
Rice water: Rice water contains amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients. They can help the growth of the plant. Rice water can not only propagate fast growth but can also generate blooms vigorously.
How to use:
Soak the rice (in your regular quantity) for 4-5 hours or preferably, overnight.
Sieve out the water in a watering jug or water spray.
Use this water to water the plant or spray it over the plant.
Those are the few ways to use home waste to enrich the plants with necessary nutrients. After learning all about the fertilizers and how they are made, it is also important to know, how much to feed the plant. Feeding the plants more often with fertilizers can risk the plant, even though they are organic. So, as important it is to understand fertilizers, that important it is to know how to not overdo the plant with fertilizer. Over use of fertilizers can affect the plant, soil, just like the chemical fertilizers. On contrary, less use of fertilizer will cause no harm. So, the thumb rule with this one is, use Less to avoid any harm to the plant.
Hope that you too, get your kitchen waste to right use and enrich your plants with harmless fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers, Happy Plants!
Author: Kinnari
Welcome! I am Kinnari, a 20 something Engineer from Pune, India. Presently residing in Germany, which got me an opportunity to explore the world around me! Staying far from my family also got me a chance to step into the kitchen and put my apron on! Altogether a big opportunity to share my experiences with you!
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