I've been curious about the necessity of commercial fertilizers in gardening. Are there effective natural alternatives out there? I've heard some people use nature's own benefits, but I'd love to hear experiences or methods that others have tried to rely on their own homemade fertilizers.
7 Answers
If you're near the coast, consider collecting seaweed. Ferment it in water for a few weeks to create a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Comfrey is another plant you can use; grow it in a pot and make a liquid out of its leaves!
You might want to try vermiculture! I toss red wriggler worms into my raised beds with compost, and they work wonders, especially when I feed them kitchen scraps and grass clippings.
Honestly, if you want to go totally natural, you can experiment, but keep in mind that growing crops in human waste isn't really the norm anymore. Just do a little research and you might be able to document your findings for science!
Stay away from using human waste as fertilizer without proper precautions. It's risky since it can spread diseases like E. coli. It’s better to stick with composted manure from herbivores or safe alternatives.
What about kitchen compost? Is that also risky for E. coli?
Using manure is one classic way to create your own fertilizer. Just be sure to buy it from a reliable farmer and learn how to use it properly. It's an effective solution that many gardeners swear by!
I've found that soaking dandelions in rainwater creates a fantastic homemade fertilizer. Just dilute it to about a 10:1 ratio. Also, I add fermented lactobacillus to enhance soil health—it's not exactly fertilizer, but it boosts plant vitality! Maybe if I get better at composting, I won’t need to buy fertilizer at all!
Urine can actually work well as a fertilizer! Just remember to dilute it first to avoid burning plants. And if you're up for it, using chicken manure is another great natural option, just like what I do with my farm animals!
That sounds awesome! I might consider starting a worm bin for my kitchen scraps too.