Natural fertilisers you can find in the kitchen

Your kitchen pantry is full of ingredients you can use to fertilise your garden and keep your plants and cut flowers looking their best.

Here’s some of our favourite natural fertilisers from your kitchen to try.

• How to make your own plant food

Coffee grounds 

There’s plenty of clever uses for coffee grounds, and looking after your garden is one of them. They can help banish slugs and welcome worms when sprinkled over soil. Plants such as blueberries, roses, tomatoes and azaleas also react well. Sprinkle over soil and water as normal. The nitrogen from the coffee grounds will help give your acid-loving plants a natural boost.

Egg shells

Egg shells are another unusual kitchen ingredient that can have a second life out in the garden. Rinse then crush the egg shells finely into a powder, then work into the soil around vegetable plants like tomatoes and peppers. Shells are 93% calcium carbonate, which can help fend off rot and help promote stronger stalks and leaves. It also works well in any homemade potting mix.

Seaweed

Seaweed – even dried seaweed – makes an excellent plant food because it’s high in potassium. Chop the seaweed and mix with water. Leave it to soak overnight – for several days or a week is even better – then water plants as normal.

Epsom salts

Epsom salts offer a quick dose of magnesium and sulphur for your plants. Add a small amount to your soil, or, once a month dissolve a tablespoon to a gallon of water and put into a spray bottle and spray directly to the foliage.

Molasses

Molasses is an excellent natural source of iron, sulphur, potash, calcium, potassium, magnesium and more. When added to soil, it feeds beneficial bacteria to promote healthy soil and healthy plants. Dissolve a few tablespoons into a gallon of water and then water your plants as normal.

Aspirin

You can extend the life of cut flowers by adding aspirin to your vase or dissolving an aspirin in water and watering potted flowers.

What are your favourite natural fertilisers? Share your wisdom in the comments below!  

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor

Hello there! I’m Rachel and I’m the Assistant Editor for Silversurfers. I work behind the scenes to bring interesting, informative and entertaining subject matter to the Silversurfers community. I hope you enjoy the features we have shared with you. Please feel free to comment below and share your thoughts with us, we love to hear from you!

Latest posts by Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor (see all)

• Graham Norton’s funniest interviews - April 2, 2024
• Chocolate dipped strawberries for Easter - March 28, 2024
• Elton John’s Greatest Hits Playlist - March 24, 2024
• The best of Diana Ross - March 23, 2024
• Easter activities for grandchildren - March 23, 2024