7 Natural Fertilizers and Sprays
BANANA PEELS
Banana peel is a natural source of potassium, calcium and also nitrogen. Besides the classic addition to compost, you can also place banana peels directly into the planting hole next to the plant. Simply bury 2-3 banana peels directly by the roots or root ball when planting.
COFFEE GROUNDS
Don't throw away the grounds from your morning coffee unnecessarily! They contain a range of minerals, such as phosphorus, copper, potassium, magnesium and especially a significant amount of nitrogen. Earthworms love them too, they're attracted to them and thus aerate and improve the soil. And another bonus! Coffee grounds are toxic to slugs, so you can naturally drive them away from your beds. Add them ideally to compost or work them into the beds when hoeing. Coffee grounds are suitable for plants that prefer more acidic soil, such as tomatoes, blueberries, potatoes, strawberries, gooseberries or cranberries.
EGGSHELLS
Everyone has eggs at home, so why not use them twice? Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium, but also phosphorus and potassium. Ideally crush the shells and sprinkle them on vegetable beds and perennials. Besides the fertilizing effect, they also repel slugs, which are bothered by their sharp edges.
GARLIC SPRAY
How to repel pests ecologically and harmlessly? With garlic spray! Put one clove of garlic in a blender and pour two cups of water over it. Let this mixture sit for at least a day. Then pour the prepared solution into a spray bottle and you can start! Unlike chemical preparations, with garlic spray you don't have to observe any protective periods. So it's perfect for herbs or vegetables.
NETTLE
Natural spray against aphids, and it can handle young Colorado beetles too! And how to do it? Prepare the spray by picking nettles, putting them in a bucket or other container and leaving them in the sun for one to two weeks. Water or spray vegetables, perennials, annuals and herbs with the resulting brew. But beware, nettle brew smells. For watering, dilute the brew with water in ratio: 1:10, for spraying 1:20.
GRASS CLIPPINGS
Beautiful lawn without effort? Grass clippings return nitrogen back to the soil. So with each mowing, spread some grass clippings on the lawn, or get a mulching mower that does this work automatically. Don't forget that grass clippings are also great mulch for beds.
YEAST
Especially geraniums will appreciate it when you regularly fertilize them with yeast watering solution. Crumble 1 cube of yeast into 1 liter of water and let it ferment for about 14 days. Then dilute the solution to 1 part solution and 3 parts water. With this prepared fertilizer you can water not only geraniums, but also all flowering plants!