How to Make a Simple, Free and Eco Friendly Organic Fertilizer

The green movement is rapidly gaining momentum. More people are deciding to avoid the use of toxic chemicals on their lawns and in their gardens. Most commercial fertilizers are not only harmful to the soil, but to the air and water as well. It sure makes sense to refrain from placing poisonous chemicals around your living area and especially around the food you are going to eat. It is also important to keep your children and pets from having any chance of coming into contact with these chemicals.

Now a few of the tried and true homemade fertilizers are coming back into vogue with the expansion of the green movement. I am going to discuss two free and highly effective methods that can be accomplished at home by anyone. The cost effectiveness of these two fertilizers makes it almost impossible to argue against them. These methods are easily available to everyone. And best of all, they help greatly to rejuvenate nutrient depleted soil.

The first method is liquid manure fertilizer and all you need is horse manure, water, and a container. The size of the container depends on the amount of fertilizer you wish to make. You can use a drum, large garbage can, or just a bucket you have sitting around. The procedure is simple and the results are effective. Just fill the container about 1/3 full of the manure, then fill the rest with water. You can stir the mixture with a shovel a little bit to break it up some if you wish. The product will look somewhat like tea when it is ready for use. This mixture can be applied immediately directly to the soil around your plants and vegetables. However, a popular method is to let the mixture ferment for two weeks to a month because the nitrogen content increases as the mixture ferments, and the results will be much better for your plants. If you decide to use this as it is fermenting, you will notice that it becomes rather odoriferous as it ages. It is a good idea not to have it close to the house unless it is loosely covered.

The second method is similar, but uses vegetation instead of manure. You can use seaweed, pond/lake weeds, or even just general greenery. Grass clippings, weeds, and plant prunings can all be used the same way. If you use actual seaweed, the salt must be rinsed off well before making your solution. Seaweed is good because it contains nitrogen, bromine, calcium, iron and iodine. Water weeds found in local ponds and streams are also very good. Dense water weed, cabana, Alvinia and water lettuce (leaves only) all enrich and nourish the soil which enhances the growing process. When using this vegetation method it is necessary to chop the greenery up before adding water. You may also use pond water in the solution instead of hose water, for even more nutrients.

Both of these solutions should be applied to the soil, not the plant. The mixture ratio can also be altered somewhat to suit your own needs. If the mixture is too strong the plants will let you know when some of their lower leaves start turning brown around the edges. When this happens, just dilute the solution with more water. The leftover organic solids can be put on your compost pile, or used to start a new pile. Either way, the compost heap will be one of the best you have ever had. Your plants, vegetables, and flowers will all thank you by delivering wonderful results.

There you go folks. These are very good alternatives to dispersing hazardous chemicals all around your home and the environment. Why buy expensive bags of man made toxins, when you can make an effective, inexpensive and safe substitute yourself? Do the environment and yourself some good and grow better veggies and plants along the way. The green movement is moving forward so please join us and do your part.

Please go green, and thanks for reading.