Tag Archives: organic compost

Organic liquid fertilizers

Top 6 Organic Liquid Fertilizers for Plants in (2024)

Blog, Fertilizers & Tonics, , , , , , , ,

Plants, like humans, require regular nutrients for sustenance and survival. These vital nutrients are typically supplied in the form of fertilizers.

In this article, we will explore some organic liquid fertilizers capable of enhancing plant growth and prolonging the life of your beloved greens.

Top Organic Liquid Fertilizers for Plants

 

1. Cow Dung Liquid Fertilizer:

 

cow dung liquid fertilizer
cow dung liquid fertilizer

Crafted from cow dung cakes, this fertilizer is rich in nutrients and easy to make. Dilute before applying to plants for comprehensive nourishment.

Benefits:

1. Serves as a comprehensive nutrient source for plants, rich in micronutrients alongside NPK.

2. Regular application over 2-3 months results in noticeable growth, vitality, and robustness of plants.

3. Naturally fortifies plants, ensuring sustained strength and vigorous growth.

4. Enhances soil quality, extending moisture retention and reducing water requirements post-application.

2. Neem Cake Tonic:

neem kernel

Made from neem cake, this tonic fortifies plants internally, protecting roots from pests and fungal attacks. It enhances soil quality and boosts plant immunity.

Benefits:

1. Fortifies plants internally, safeguarding roots against pest and fungal attacks.

2. Strengthens plant immunity, inhibiting insect, snail, or ant invasions.

3. Enhances soil quality, improving moisture retention and nutrient availability.

4. Acts as a natural pesticide and fungicide, promoting plant health and vitality.

Suitable for: It is suitable for all types of plants and promotes shiny, healthy leaves.

3. Banana Peel Liquid Fertilizer:

 

Banana Peel Liquid Fertilizer
Banana Peel Liquid Fertilizer Pic credit: Pinterest

Despite myths, banana peel fertilizer doesn’t attract ants. Rich in potassium and phosphorus, it promotes robust flowering and fruiting in plants.

Benefits:

1. Rich source of potassium and phosphorus, promoting robust flowering and fruiting in plants.

2. Enhances soil fertility and microbial activity, improving overall plant health.

3. Eco-friendly and sustainable way to recycle kitchen waste, reducing environmental impact.

4. Improves soil structure and moisture retention, reducing water requirements.

4. Onion Peel Liquid Fertilizer:

 

onion peel liquid fertilizer
onion peel liquid fertilizer

Derived from dry onion peels, this fertilizer is effective for foliage plants, enhancing growth and leaf shine. Apply monthly for best results.

Benefits:

1. Enhances plant growth and leaf shine, promoting overall plant health.

2. Enriched with essential nutrients including sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and more.

3. Suitable for foliage plants, encouraging robust growth and vitality.

4. Eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for plant nourishment.

5. Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer:

seaweed liquid fertilizer

Seaweed liquid fertilizer is made from extracting and processing seaweed, typically varieties such as kelp or algae.

  • Soaking or fermenting the seaweed in water to release nutrients and beneficial compounds.
  • Filtering or straining the liquid to produce a nutrient-rich fertilizer solution.

Benefits of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer:

1. Seaweed liquid fertilizer contains a wide range of micronutrients, including but not limited to iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and boron.

2. Rich source of trace minerals, vitamins, and plant growth hormones essential for plant health and growth.

3. Enhances root development, leading to stronger and healthier plants.

4. Boosts plant immunity, making them more resistant to stress, diseases, and pests.

5. Improves soil structure and fertility, promoting microbial activity and nutrient uptake.

Best for:

  • All types of plants indoor, outdoor, vegetables and flowering plants.

6. Kitchen Compost Tea Liquid Fertilizer:

 

kitchen waste

Made from composted kitchen waste, this fertilizer is rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. It improves soil health and enhances plant growth.

Benefits:

    • Provides a nutrient-rich solution for plant growth, promoting healthy foliage and robust root development.
    • Enhances soil structure and fertility, improving moisture retention and nutrient availability.
    • Contains beneficial microorganisms that support plant health and suppress soil-borne diseases.
    • Eco-friendly way to recycle kitchen waste and nourish your garden without chemical additives.

These magical tonics possess potent qualities, capable of elevating your plants to the next level, showcasing magnificent growth. Utilize them to breathe new life into your garden and enhance its vitality.

Application Tips:

 

liquid fertilizer tonic

1. Dilution:

seaweed liquid fertilizer

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution rates to avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm your plants.

2. Frequency:

Most liquid fertilizers should be applied every 1-2 weeks during the growing season.

3. Application Method:

banana peel liquid fertilizer

Use a watering can or garden sprayer to apply the fertilizer to the base of the plants, ensuring even distribution.

Plant-Specific Needs:

 

all plants outdoor

Different plants have different nutrient requirements, so choose a fertilizer that matches your plants’ needs.

Happy Gardening!
vermicompost tea

How to make Vermicompost tea? Benefits & Uses

Blog, Fertilizers & Tonics, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vermicompost is an organic and most powerful compost made up of earthworms. Today, Vermicompost is widely used by many gardeners and farmers in gardening activities.

Vermicompost is also known as earthworm manure. It is a natural process in which earthworms consume the remains of organic matter such as plants and fruit and converts them into nutrient-rich manure in the form of feces. This natural process of composting is beneficial in improving the quality of the soil, making it more suitable for plant growth.

vermicompost manure
Vermicompost manure

What is ‘tea’ in gardening?

  • Any solid manure, when diluted in water to make liquid fertilizer, is commonly known as compost tea in gardening.
  • Examples include cow dung manure tea, kitchen manure tea, and vermicompost tea. The methods of making tea from these fertilizers may vary.

How to make Vermicompost tea?

Vermicompost tea
Vermicompost tea
  • Take good quality vermicompost in the bucket.
  • Add lots of water to the bucket. After some time the manure may expand, so keep extra water so that it dissolves well.
  • Cover the bucket with a lid and place it in a cool place, shaded area, away from direct sunlight.
  • Water extracts the nutrients of vermicompost when it starts mixing with water.
  • Before using the solution (tea), strain it through a cloth or fine mesh to remove any compost particles that may clog your spray bottle.
vermicompost tea
strain vermicompost tea before using

Important note:

Soaked vermicompost can be used in two ways.

  • It can be used after 24 hours of soaking.
  • It can also be used after 1 week of soaking.

 Both solutions have different benefits and can be used in different ways.

1. Benefits of using Vermicompost tea after 24 hours of soaking

Steps to use it:

  • Sieve the solution and dilute the obtained tea with water in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Fill the diluted tea in a spray bottle for multipurpose use.

You can use this diluted vermicompost tea in the following ways:

  • Spray it on small seedlings and the leaves of plants.
  • Use it as a mild nourishing tonic for cuttings.
  • Apply it to plants during times of stress, such as after pruning, repotting, or when propagating new plants.

Vermicompost tea is a quick and effective fertilizer that can be made in 24 hours.

spray vermicompost tea
you can spray liquid tonic in plants
  • It can be sprayed on plants every 15 days in the evening.
  • This treatment promotes healthy growth and makes leaves shiny.

2. Benefits of using Vermicompost tea after 1 week of soaking

If compost is soaked for 1 week in water, it will result in a more concentrated, dark-colored solution. While soaking vermicompost in water, it is important to stir the solution occasionally to ensure proper mixing of the compost with water.

  • Strong fertilizer: Vermicompost tea obtained by this method is indeed a strong fertilizer due to its higher concentration.

Steps to use it:

  • Take this tea (there’s no need to sieve it at this point) and dilute it with water at a ratio of 1 part tea to 4 parts water.
  • Give this diluted tea to your plants gradually until it starts to flow out from the bottom hole of the container.
  • The compost residue left after separating the tea can be incorporated into the soil as a soil conditioner.

Vermicompost tea can be applied to all types of plants

vermicompost tea
liquid tonic can be given to all types of plants

This vermicompost tea is enriched with nutrients and can be given to all types of plants, including indoor and outdoor plants, flowering and non-flowering plants, and succulents.

a) For indoor plants – when using only vermicompost tea, apply it once every 45 to 60 days.

vermicompost tea in indoor plants
liquid tonic can also be given to indoor plants

b) For outdoor plants – when using only vermicompost tea, apply it every 20 to 25 days.

Note:

  • Ensure that no other fertilizer is applied to the plants for 10 days both before and after using vermicompost tea.

Why is Vermicompost Tea recommended instead of solid form?

Vermicompost tea is often recommended over vermicompost (solid form) for many reasons:

1. Vermicompost (s0lid form) cannot be used as a spray for plants. 

2. For small seedlings, a liquid tonic is recommended. A liquid form of nutrition is suitable for small seedlings.

seedlings
liquid tonic is easy to give in seedlings

3. Additionally, for cuttings and Lecca balls, vermicompost (solid form) cannot be added directly. It is preferable to use liquid tea filled in a spray bottle.

4. Some plants require regular nutrition every 15-20 days for optimal growth. Adding vermicompost (solid form) again and again every 15 days may disrupt soil structure. Therefore vermicompost tea is a more suitable option.

5. A small amount of compost can produce significant amounts of tea, which can effectively nourish all plants. In contrast, solid manure, if available in limited quantities, may not be sufficient for all plants.

6. When adding fertilizer or manure to plants, it is also important to water the soil. This helps the soil absorb nutrients from the compost, which is a slower process than providing a nutrient-rich tonic (like compost tea) directly.

At last:

  • Liquid tonics significantly enhance plant growth, and vermicompost tea is particularly effective when used as a nutrient source for plants.

Also read:

1. Benefits of Seaweed Fertilizer

2. How to make Cow Dung Fertilizer

Happy Gardening !!!

gardening mistakes

6 Common Mistakes to avoid in Gardening

Basic Gardening, Blog, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

While doing gardening, we often make some mistakes, which we should not do. Due to this, our plants are not able to grow that well. Whether you are experienced or a beginner, you should know these few things which I am going to tell you through this article.

1 – Do not ignore “Tilling of Soil”

Soil tilling

Generally, people make lots of efforts for the growth of their plants like giving fertilizers on time, feeding humic acid or bio enzymes, pruning at regular intervals, and many more things but they do not give much importance to the basics of gardening that is doing “tilling of the soil”.

The tilling process is important for various reasons-

  • It makes the soil soft.
  • Soil nutrients get shuffled up and down.
  • It maintains good aeration.
  • Roots become strong and healthy.

Once a week, tilling of the soil should be done for the optimal growth of the plants.

2 – Not using the proper technique of spraying pesticides

Pests attack is very common in plants and in particular season insects like mealy bugs, aphids, ants, spider mites plus many others start growing.

Pesticide spray
  • To get rid of them various pesticide solutions are available and prepared. To refrain from insects proper process of spraying needs to be followed.
  • First of all remove all the insects from affected plants by using cotton buds, tissue paper, or any cotton cloth. Clean all the leaves, branches, and all the parts of the plants.
  • After that, spray the solution on each and every part of the plants, the side of the leaves, all the branches, on buds or flowers. If even a single insect remains on the plant then there would be a pest attack again and questions will arise on the effectiveness of the solution.
  • So, here solution would not be a culprit but proper methodology needs to be followed.
  • Follow the treatment on every alternate day until the plant is pest-free.

neem pesticide spray

3 – Selecting the wrong Pots Structure

Despite the material, the structure of the pot matters a lot.

  • Avoid narrow pots because, at the time of tilling, repotting, giving compost or fertilizer, and removing weeds, space is needed to loosen the soil. In narrow pots, we do not get proper space, either the pot will break or the plant will get damaged.
  • Be it, ceramic, plastic, or cement but opt for broad-size pots. Soil would get enough sunlight, tilling can be done easily and the aeration process would be maintained in broad-size pots.

4 – Adding chemicals to compost

kitchen waste

 

When composts are made at home (any compost – leaf compost, kitchen or cow dung compost), naturally it takes 2 and 2.5 months to make. All the material gets decomposed in the presence of bacteria and fungus which is a slow process.

  • Some people are accelerating this process by adding chemicals to it and compost gets ready in 7-10 days, which is not the correct method.
  • No chemicals should be added to get pure organic compost, moreover, if anything chemically manifested things (compost) is added to the plant then it will deplete the nutrition level of the soil.
  • Fruits, flowers, or vegetables grown by adding this compost would not be organic hence they would be chemically injected which is not good for health.
  • To fasten the process of compost making, add organic or natural; things like buttermilk, vermicompost, sour curd, or worms. All these things will accelerate the process of decaying material.

5 – Not feeding Fertilizers to the plant

Heavy feeder plants like flowering, fruiting, and vegetable plants need fertilizers at regular intervals. They will look beautiful and tempting at nurseries because proper care of them is taken there but after getting them at home, many of them would stop growing.

  • These plants need fertilizer every 20-25 days.
  • NPK, micronutrients, or any other organic fertilizer should be given to the plant to meet the nutrient level of the soil for the booming growth of the plant.

6 – Incorrect way of using Neem Oil

Neem oil is an organic oil and the best pesticide but many people complain that after using neem oil their plants get burnt. Well, the problem is not the neem oil here but the problem is how it is used.

  • Neem oil is strong so when applied to the leaves, the pores of the leaves get blocked and the process of photosynthesis gets seized.
  • To refrain from this, always spray neem oil in the evening and keep the plant for the night as it is. The next day, in the morning before sunrise, wash the plant properly with ample water.
  • Neem oil will do its work at night so make sure leaves with neem oil do not get exposed to sun. While washing, oil might fall in the soil but that is ok.

Happy Gardening!!

How to make Compost from Kitchen Waste

Fertilizers & Tonics, Basic Gardening, Blog, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Generally, a large amount of waste or garbage comes out of our kitchen every day. Many people dispose of kitchen waste without considering its potential for reuse. However, instead of seeing kitchen waste as garbage, it can be repurposed into compost, which not only helps reduce waste but also provides organic fertilizer for plants.

compost

Making compost from kitchen waste is a simple and cost-effective way to create organic manure for your garden. The biggest advantage of this compost is that it is completely organic.

Food scraps are actually good sources of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. These nutrients enrich the soil and provide essential minerals to the plants grown in it.

Composting kitchen waste may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually very easy. In this article, we will discuss all the important points for making compost at home from kitchen waste.

Food scraps
Food scraps

What is Kitchen Waste Compost?

Kitchen CompostKitchen compost is an organic fertilizer made from kitchen waste or scraps. It is a process by which kitchen waste and food scraps are biologically decomposed.

  • Kitchen waste consists of organic matter, which is used to fertilize the soil and grow plants and crops at home.

It takes around 3 to 4 months to decompose

The process of kitchen waste composting typically takes around 3 to 4 months. It involves microorganisms that quickly convert waste into compost. This compost is highly nutritious and can be easily made at home.

Note:

1. In summer, when temperatures are high, bacteria decompose faster, speeding up the composting process.

2. In winter, when temperatures are low, bacteria take more time to decompose, resulting in a longer composting process.

Ingredients required for making Kitchen Compost:

First, choose carbon-rich (dry materials) and nitrogen-rich (green materials) waste materials from kitchen waste to make compost.

Brown Material for Kitchen Compost:

Brown leaves for kitchen compost
Dry leaves used for kitchen compost

This includes carbon-rich dry materials such as:

1. Dry Leaves – Dry leaves have carbon which helps in the process of decomposition. It also helps in soaking the water released by other components.

2. Compost – You can use vermicompost but avoid using mustard cake and banana peel.

3. Soil – Please use a handful of soil also.

A mixture of these dry materials is known as brown material.

Green Material for Kitchen Compost:

Waste from the kitchen or kitchen garbage is called green material.

1. What can we add?

  • Peels of fruits and vegetables.kitchen waste
  • Rotten fruits and vegetables.
  • Egg Shells
  • Used Tea Bags – You can use tea bags that are used while preparing tea. But you have to be careful while using it. Before adding it to the kitchen compost please wash and dry it properly. Do not use tea bags that contain milk and sugar in it.

2. What we should not add?

(i) Dairy Products – Do not add milk or any dairy products.

(ii) Cooked Food- Do not add any cooked food or last night’s leftover food like curries, chapati, rice, etc.

(iii) Meat And Fish – Do not add any meat or fish.

(iv) Sugar & Sweets – Avoid adding sugar, honey, or any sweet dish otherwise aunts will come.

(v) Wet Waste –  Do not add any wet waste.  If your peels are wet, then make sure you dry them completely before they go in the container.

(vi) Rotten and Sweet –  Avoid vegetables with fungus and insects. You can add old rotten vegetables but do not add any vegetables which are already having fungus and insects in them. Generally, in brinjal insects are there, so chop the brinjal first to check if insects are there or not.

Note:
  • To create kitchen compost, an equal ratio of both green and brown materials is necessary. If there is more green material than brown, the decomposition process will take longer and may result in unpleasant odors.

Use a container to dump the Kitchen waste

Container Selection and Preparation:

(i) One big container is required:

  • To collect the kitchen waste, you can use a larger, deeper container for composting depending on the amount of waste. You can take any clay pot or plastic container (bucket).
  • Generally, clay pots come with a hole, and they are porous also.
  • If you are taking a plastic container, then make a hole in it.
  • Avoid Cement pots for making kitchen compost because it is very difficult to make holes in cement pots.

(ii) Proper Flow of Moisture and Oxygen:

  • Ensure there is a proper flow of moisture and oxygen in the mixture to make compost from waste. To decompose the waste, oxygen or air plays a big role.
  • There should be a regular supply of air inside the container; otherwise, it will be smelly.

(iii) Holes in the Container:

  • The container should have holes.
  • When this process starts, waste starts decomposing and water comes out from the container. So, there should be one hole beneath the container to shed the water away.

(iv) Collect Water and Use it as a Fertilizer:

  • You can collect this water, which is very nutritious and also called liquid fertilizer (tea).
  • You can give this water to your plants; it will work as a liquid compost.

(v) Covering the Container:

  • Make sure that the container should be covered so that any insects and rats would not enter it.
  • You can use any plate or tray to cover the pots or containers.

Benefits of Kitchen Waste Compost

compost
kitchen compost
  • With just a little knowledge, you can make organic compost for your plants from kitchen waste.
  • This will not only make the soil fertile for your plants, but the plants will also get enough nutrients.
  • The special thing is that there is no cost in making compost from kitchen waste.
  • It is a very easy process.
  • So, now use your kitchen waste wisely.

It was all about the material and ingredients required to make kitchen compost.

Keep collecting your kitchen waste !!!

Happy Gardening !

Make Your Own Garden!

From Soil to Soul: The Benefits of Organic Gardening

Blog, Fertilizers & Tonics, , , , , , ,

In an era where environmental sustainability and personal well-being are paramount.

Organic gardening is a powerful practice with numerous benefits. By prioritizing organic methods and materials, we can create flourishing gardens while preserving the health of our planet and safeguarding our well-being.

Organic gardening offers us an opportunity to be stewards of the earth, cultivating beautiful gardens and a sustainable future for coming generations.

organic gardening

Organic fertilizers lie at the heart of organic gardening.

    • These fertilizers are derived from natural sources like compost, manure, and plant-based materials and enrich the soil with essential nutrients, fostering the growth of strong and healthy plants.
    • They also improve soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity, creating a balanced ecosystem that supports plant vitality.
organic gardening

Some Organic fertilizers are cow dung compost, vermicompost, kitchen compost, leaf compost, mustard cake, neem cake, groundnut cake, banana peel, onion peel, bio enzymes, seaweed fertilizer, etc.

Leaf compost fertiizer

When it comes to Pest control, organic gardening takes a different approach.

    • Rather than relying on harmful synthetic pesticides, organic gardeners employ integrated pest management techniques.
    • These involve promoting beneficial insects, utilizing companion planting, and using organic pest repellents.
Organic gardening

“Furthermore, organic gardening practices contribute to the safety and well-being of birds.”

    • By avoiding chemical pesticides, organic gardening preserves the delicate balance of nature, safeguarding beneficial insects and minimizing harm to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
    • This approach promotes biodiversity and creates a harmonious ecosystem within our gardens.
    • Neem oil, neem leaf water, cinnamon powder, turmeric powder, and garlic paste are some popular and effective organic pesticides.
Organic gardening

Synthetic pesticides are likely to cause adverse effects on bird populations, including habitat loss, reduced food sources, and declining reproductive success.

By embracing organic methods, we create safe havens for birds, free from harmful chemicals.

Benefits of Organic Gardening:

    • Organic gardens provide natural habitats and offer shelter, food sources, and nesting opportunities. Welcoming birds into our gardens helps maintain a balanced ecosystem as they play a crucial role in pollination and insect control.
    • An additional benefit of organic gardening is its ability to rejuvenate soil health. Using organic matter such as compost and rice husk, organic gardeners enhance soil fertility, structure, and nutrient content.
    • These practices promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, earthworms, and other soil-dwelling organisms, creating a thriving soil ecosystem.
    • Healthy soil, in turn, supports plant growth, improves water retention, prevents erosion, and reduces the need for excessive watering.

Embracing organic gardening practices is not merely a trend but a significant step towards a sustainable and healthier future. We nourish the earth and our plants, creating vibrant and resilient gardens with organic fertilizers.

Let us embrace the importance of organic gardening as a holistic approach to nurturing the earth and our well-being. Through conscious choices and sustainable practices, we can create thriving gardens that contribute to the health of our planet and enhance our connection to nature.

Happy Organic Gardening!