Jade Small
Jade Small
October 25, 2024 ·  3 min read

Home gardening hacks:13 surprising household items that you can use as fertilizers

Growing a healthy, vibrant garden doesn’t require expensive store-bought fertilizers. You may already have everything you need right at home! These surprising household items can provide essential nutrients and help your plants thrive naturally.

Coffee Grounds

Don’t throw out those coffee grounds after your morning brew! Packed with nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium, coffee grounds are great for acid-loving plants like tomatoes and blueberries. Just sprinkle the dried grounds around the base of your plants and watch them flourish.

Banana Peels

Banana peels are an excellent source of potassium for your garden. Bury them in the soil around roses or other flowering plants, where they’ll break down and release nutrients that promote healthy blooms and strong roots.

Eggshells

Eggshells are a simple, effective way to add calcium to your garden. Crush dried eggshells and sprinkle them around plants like tomatoes to prevent blossom end rot and to deter pests like snails and slugs.

Wood Ash

If you have a wood stove or fireplace, save the ash! It’s rich in calcium carbonate and potassium, perfect for neutralizing acidic soil. However, avoid using it if your soil is already alkaline, as it can raise the pH too much.

Teabags

Tea drinkers can also contribute to garden health by using used tea bags as a fertilizer. Remove the tea leaves from the bags, dry them out, and sprinkle them in your garden for an extra boost of nutrients.

Fish Scraps

Fish scraps are packed with nutrients. Blend them with water and milk to create a powerful natural fertilizer. Alternatively, use aquarium water from freshwater tanks to water your plants, as the waste in the water is a great source of vitamins.

Epsom Salts

Epsom salts are rich in magnesium and sulfur, essential micronutrients for plant health. While they can’t replace a full fertilizer, they make a great supplement when mixed into your garden water.

Hair (Human/Animal)

Adding hair to your compost or directly into the garden can boost nitrogen levels in the soil. Plus, human hair can help deter deer from munching on your plants, keeping your garden safe from pests.

Powdered Milk

Don’t throw away expired powdered milk. When mixed with water, it provides calcium, proteins, and vitamins that help improve plant health, especially for those suffering from nutrient deficiencies like blossom end rot.

Gelatin

Gelatin is a quick, easy way to add nitrogen to your plants. Simply dissolve a packet of gelatin in water and use it as a monthly fertilizer for houseplants or smaller garden beds.

Veggie Scraps

Even if you don’t have a compost bin, you can still reuse veggie scraps as fertilizer. Grind them up and mix them directly into your garden soil. This method works especially well in the fall before planting your new crops.

Matches

Burnt matches contain small amounts of magnesium, which can slowly release into the soil and provide your plants with necessary micronutrients. Dispose of them directly in your garden for an added nutrition boost.

By using these simple household items, you can create a nutrient-rich garden that’s healthy, sustainable, and chemical-free—without spending a fortune!

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