How to Make Fertilizer: 10+ DIY Fertilizer Recipes

While commercial fertilizers are widely available, making your own fertilizer at home can be more economical, sustainable, and tailored to the specific needs of your plants.

This guide will show you how to make fertilizer using simple ingredients often found in your kitchen or garden, from coffee grounds and crushed eggshells to grass clippings.

Plant Nutritional Needs Explained

Plant food is categorized into two main groups: macronutrients and micronutrients.

The three main macronutrients plants need are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), serving the following purposes:

Nitrogen

Promotes lush foliage and is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It’s vital in the production of chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis.

A deficiency in nitrogen manifests as yellow leaves, particularly in older foliage, as the plant allocates its limited nitrogen supply to supportnew growth.

Phosphorus

A key component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which fuels many biochemical processes, phosphorus supports root development and flowering and is crucial for energy transfer.

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency can include stunted growth and dark green or purpling of older leaves.

Potassium

This macro is essential for regulating water uptake and movement within the plant, improving drought resistance and overall health. It also plays a role in enzyme activation and photosynthesis.

A lack of potassium often results in leaf margin scorching and higher disease susceptibility.

Other important plant macronutrients include calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

As for micronutrients, these are required in smaller quantities relative to macronutrients, but it doesn’t mean they’re any less important.

The most notable ones are iron (chlorophyll production), zinc (enzyme function and growth regulation), boron (cell wall formation and sugar transport), and manganese (nitrogen assimilation).

For a more in-depth breakdown of plant nutrition, be sure to check out our guide on what fertilizers are made of.

DIY Homemade Fertilizer Recipes

As you’ll see, all of the recipes on our list are made from kitchen scraps or inexpensive organic materials.

So not only will you be saving money but also reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact associated with chemical fertilizers.

You can tailor each recipe to meet the specific needs of your plants.

1. Grass-Clipping Tea

Grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, making them an excellent base for liquid fertilizers.

They promote healthy growth for leafy greens and vegetables while improving soil quality.

For this recipe, all you need is fresh grass clippings and water. Just make sure to avoid clippings from treated lawns to avoid chemical contamination.

1. Fill a bucket two-thirds full with fresh grass clippings.
2. Add water until the bucket is full.
3. Cover the bucket with cheesecloth or a lid to allow it to brew for 1-2 weeks.
4. Stir occasionally to mix the contents.
5. Strain the liquid and use it around the base of your plants.

2. Green Tea Fertilizer

Green tea leaves contain all three primary macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, so we consider this a well-rounded fertilizer that can help promote overall plant health and prevent diseases.

1. Soak some used green tea bags or loose leaves in a container of water.
2. Let the mixture steep overnight for 24 hours.
3. Strain the mixture then apply it directly to your plant beds once a month.

3. Coffee Grounds Fertilizer

Used coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and can improve soil structure.

They also improve drainage and moisture retention in the soil and can be an effective pest deterrent due to their caffeine content.

1. Spread some spent coffee grounds on a tray and allow them to dry completely.
2. Sprinkle them once a month directly onto the soil around your plants.
3. Alternatively, you can mix the dry coffee grounds into compost to boost its nutrient content.

Note: Drying the used coffee grounds is only necessary if you want to store them without having to worry about mold development.

4. Banana Peel Fertilizer

This organic fertilizer not only supports root development but also repels pests, as the potassium in banana peel aids in reducing carbohydrate accumulation, lowering the likelihood of attracting insects.

We recommend using it on plants during the flowering and fruiting stages.

1. Place the banana peels in a jar and cover them with water.
2. Seal the jar and let it sit for a few days to a week.
3. Remove the peels and use the infused water to fertilize your plants.

5. Epsom Salt Solution

Epsom salt fertilizer provides magnesium and sulfur, essential for chlorophyll production.

You can use it on both indoor and outdoor plants. It’s particularly beneficial for flowering/fruit trees like tomatoes and peppers, especially those in containers.

It doesn’t work on tropical palms and carnivorous plants, however.

1. Dissolve two tablespoons of Epsom salt in one gallon of water
2. Spray the solution on your plants every 2-4 weeks.
3. Alternatively, you can apply the salt directly to the soil at a rate of one tablespoon per foot of plant height (once a month).

6. Fish Emulsion Fertilizer

Fish emulsion is a nutrient-dense fertilizer made from fish waste, providing a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with trace minerals that improve growth and soil microbial activity.

1. Combine fish scraps (heads, guts, etc.) with water in a container (ratio of about one part fish scraps to two parts water).
2. Seal the container tightly and let it sit for up to 6 weeks, stirring occasionally.
3. Strain out the solids using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
4. Dilute one part fish emulsion with 10 parts water before applying it around your plants every month.

Note: For convenience, you can buy fish emulsion fertilizer concentrate from gardening stores and follow the instructions for dilution ratios.

7. Crushed Eggshells

In addition to helping balance soil pH levels when mixed into compost or potting mixes, eggshells provide calcium carbonate that strengthens plant cell walls and prevents blossom end rot in flowering plants.

1. Rinse eggshells (from raw or cooked eggs) thoroughly to remove any egg residue.
2. Allow them to dry completely on a towel or a baking sheet.
3. Once dry, crush them into small pieces or grind them into a fine powder using a blender or food processor.
4. Apply once before planting or as needed if you notice signs of calcium deficiency.

8. Wood Ash Fertilizer

Wood ash is rich in potassium and can help raise soil pH levels if needed but it should be used sparingly due to its alkalinity.

It can also help deter certain pests due to its abrasive texture when applied around plant bases.

1. Collect the wood ash after burning untreated wood; ensure it has cooled down completely before handling.
2. Store the ash in a dry container away from moisture to prevent clumping until it’s ready for use.
3. Lightly sprinkle some wood ash over garden beds or mix it into a compost pile at a rate of one cup per square yard of garden space.

9. Homemade Compost

Compost is one of the best natural fertilizers because it’s loaded with beneficial nutrients for your plants.

You can make it using pretty much all of the ingredients mentioned in this article, from fruit and vegetable scraps to coffee grounds, eggshells, grass clippings, and more.

The great thing about compost is that it benefits all types of plants by improving soil structure and fertility while also reducing waste going to landfills.

1. Create a compost bin where you can add food scraps regularly.
2. Turn the compost bin every few weeks to aerate it.
3. After 2-12 months, you’ll have a dark, crumbly compost rich in essential nutrients.
4. Mix the compost into your garden beds or use it as a top dressing.

10. Compost Tea

Want to make a liquid fertilizer out of your homemade compost for easier application and quicker nutrient uptake? Let us show you how to make compost tea.

1. Take a bag or a mesh cloth filled with well-aged compost and place it in a bucket.
2. Fill the bucket with water, ensuring the compost is submerged.
3. Let the mixture steep for 24-48 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove the compost bag or cloth and use the liquid as fertilizer.

11. Molasses Fertilizer

With just some unsulfured molasses and water, you can make a fertilizer that’s rich in sugars that the beneficial microorganisms in your soil will love.

Besides, molasses is rich in potassium and helps promote healthier plant roots.

1. Mix one tablespoon of unsulfured molasses into one gallon of warm water until it’s dissolved.
2. Use the solution to water your plants once a month to encourage microbial activity in the soil.

12. Seaweed Fertilizer

Seaweed is packed with micronutrients like copper, selenium, and manganese, as well as growth hormones and minerals that improve drought resistance and improve overall plant vigor.

1. Pack a container with kelp or some other seaweed and fill it with water.
2. Cover the container with an airtight lid and let it sit for 2 weeks.
3. Strain the liquid using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer before using it.
4. Dilute the liquid with at least 10 parts water for application.

Tips for Using Homemade Fertilizers

To maximize the benefits of homemade fertilizers, consider the following:

Know What Your Plants Need

Nutritional needs vary between plant types.

For instance, leafy greens require higher nitrogen levels, whereas flowering plants benefit from balanced or slightly higher phosphorus levels to promote blooming.

So, make sure to use a fertilizer that offers what your plants need.

Timing of Application

You want to apply your homemade fertilizer, particularly liquid ones, during the cooler periods of the day (early morning or late afternoon) to prevent evaporation and potential leaf burn.

We’d recommend applying the fertilizer post-watering to prevent root burn and improve nutrient absorption.

Soil Testing

Conducting a soil test before applying any fertilizer provides valuable insights into existing nutrient levels and pH balance.

If you notice a potassium deficiency, for instance, then opt for a recipe that uses potassium-rich ingredients.

Also, you can opt for a fertilizer that alters the soil pH level as needed.

Monitor Plant Response

After applying homemade fertilizers, you want to closely monitor your plants for signs of improvement (new growth or vibrant colors) or distress (yellowing leaves or stunted growth).

Based on your observations, you may need to adjust your application frequency and ratios.

Rotate Fertilizer Types

To prevent nutrient imbalances and keep your plants healthy, consider rotating different types of homemade fertilizers.

Try different recipes each month based on what nutrients your plants seem to need most.

For example, you can alternate between banana peel water for potassium and fish emulsion for nitrogen throughout the growing season.

Save Money and Go Green

You don’t need commercial fertilizers; your kitchen scraps and garden waste can give your plants exactly what they need to grow strong and healthy. Plus, you’ll save money and help the environment.

We recommend experimenting with different recipes until you find what works best for your garden soil and plants.

If you’re looking for tailored lawn care services in the Midwest or need guidance on implementing a comprehensive fertilization program, we’re here to help.

Contact Sunco today to learn about our services and how we can help you maintain a healthy, vibrant lawn.

Also Read:Our Seasonal Lawn Fertilizer Schedule for Midwest Lawns — SunCo