Do your plants suddenly stop growing despite adequate care and attention? Even with sufficient water and sunlight, sometimes plants fail to thrive due to insufficient nutrients. Instead of resorting to expensive commercial fertilizers filled with chemicals, consider using homemade fertilizers made from natural ingredients.
Why Homemade Fertilizer? Plants may suffer from stunted growth or wilting when essential nutrients are lacking. In such cases, people often turn to costly fertilizers available in the market. However, these may contain chemicals that can be harmful in the long run. Using homemade fertilizers made from natural ingredients can provide the necessary nutrients without the risk of chemical exposure.
How to Make Natural Fertilizer at Home
Soybean Liquid Fertilizer
Ingredients
- 1 cup soybeans
- 2 cups water
- 1 bottle
Method
- Soak the soybeans in water overnight.
- The next day, remove the soaked soybeans from water and set them aside.
- Strain the remaining water and pour it into a bottle.
- Seal the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place.
How to Use: You can keep this soybean liquid fertilizer in a bottle or spray bottle for easy application. Spray it directly on the leaves of the plants by diluting it with water. Avoid spraying it directly on the leaves; instead, mix it with water before application. You can use this fertilizer twice a week. Start by applying it to a small part of the plant to observe any adverse effects before using it extensively.
Soybean liquid fertilizer is a good source of nitrogen, which promotes plant growth and development. It’s a natural and cost-effective alternative that reduces the use of chemical fertilizers.
Rice Water Liquid Fertilizer
The water left over after cooking rice, also known as rice “mand” or “starch water,” can be an excellent fertilizer for plants. It contains starch and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), which are essential nutrients for plant growth and health.
How to Use Rice Water
- Collect the water used for washing rice in a separate container. This water is rich in starch and can be used to nourish plants.
- After cooking rice, the leftover water can also be used as “mand” for plants. Just make sure it doesn’t contain any salt.
- When watering plants, dilute the rice water with regular water at a ratio of 4:1.
- You can also spray the diluted rice water directly on the leaves of the plants for better absorption.
Using homemade fertilizers like soybean liquid and rice water can help promote healthy and vibrant growth in your plants without the use of harmful chemicals.