A good fertilizer is the key to a lush lawn and a thriving garden. But what happens if you're out of fertilizer on a day when you were planning to do some yard work? You may be able to save yourself a trip to the store by using a natural fertilizer that you already have around your house. Take a look at some surprising common items that can help your plants and grass thrive.
Eggshells
Make yourself an omelet in the morning, and don't throw those eggshells in the trash. Eggshells are a great source of calcium, a nutrient that plants need to help them build strong cell walls. Grind the shells into a powder and put them at the bottom of a hole where you're putting a new plant – they'll help a transplanted survive the move. Till crushed eggshells into your soil in the fall – they'll help aerate your soil and reduce its acidity. As the shells break down, the calcium will be released into the soil and absorbed through your plant's roots.
Eggshells also make an effective and attractive mulch that can keep the soil around your plants moist and inhibit weed growth. What's more, eggshells deter certain pests, like deer – but they may attract rodents, so use them on plants that are a safe distance away from your house.
Cooking Water
Why not water and fertilize your plants at the same time if you can? When you boil food in water, nutrients from the food are released into the water. So instead of dumping used cooking water down the drain, allow it to cool for awhile and use it to water and fertilize your plants.
Use the water from high-iron vegetables like spinach to give your plants a needed dose of iron as well as some potassium. Starchy foods like pasta and potatoes leave compounds in the water that cause the soil to release more nutrients for your plants to absorb. The water from hard-boiled eggs contains a good dose of calcium for your plants. If you're planning to use cooking water on your plants, don't salt the food while it's in the water, as the salt can harm your plants. Also, make sure the water is thoroughly cooled before pouring it over your plants or grass.
Coffee Grounds
Enjoy your morning cup of coffee, then use the grounds to perk up your lawn. Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, which plants need for photosynthesis. If your soil is too alkaline, coffee grounds can help raise the acidity level. If your soil is already acidic and you don't want to add to it, wash the coffee grounds first. This reduces the acid and renders the coffee grounds neutral.
Coffee grounds attract earthworms, which can help keep your garden healthy. Coffee grounds may also repel less welcome pests, like snails and slugs.
It turns out that your kitchen is a great source of healthy fertilizer material for your garden. You'll reduce the amount of food waste you throw out and improve your lawn at the same time (go online for more info).
