Brewing liquid fertiliser from everyday scraps is a budget-friendly and eco-conscious way to nourish your plants. Let's explore how to create nutrient-rich concoctions from common household and garden materials:

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Ingredient Powerhouse:

• Kitchen Castoffs:

• Fruit and Veggie Peels: Banana, potato, citrus, and more!
• Coffee Grounds: Packed with nitrogen.
• Eggshells: A calcium champion.

• Yard and Garden Riches:

• Grass Clippings: Another nitrogen source.
• Weeds (pre-seed): Avoid spreading unwanted guests.
• Plant Trimmings: Leaves, stems, and prunings.

• Extra Boosters:

• Manure: Aged or composted to prevent scorching.
• Seaweed: Full of trace minerals.
• Fish Scraps (heads, bones, guts) for a potent fish emulsion.

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Brewing Methods:

1. Compost Tea:

• Ingredients: Compost or compostable materials (kitchen scraps, garden waste).
• Recipe: Steep materials in a water-filled container for days or weeks, stirring occasionally.  Strain solids and dilute the mix before feeding your plants.

2. Manure Tea:

• Ingredients: Aged or composted manure (cow, horse, chicken).
• Recipe: Submerge a burlap sack or pillowcase filled with manure in a bucket of water. Steep for days or weeks, stirring occasionally. Dilute before use to avoid harming plants.

3. Weed Tea:

• Ingredients: Weeds (pre-seed).
• Recipe: Steep weeds in a water-filled container for several weeks. Strain solids and use the diluted liquid as fertiliser.

4. Seaweed Elixir:

• Ingredients: Fresh or dried seaweed (rinsed to remove excess salt).
• Recipe: Steep well-rinsed and chopped seaweed in water for days or weeks. Strain solids and dilute them before using them as fertiliser.

5. Fish Emulsion Power Food:

• Ingredients: Fish scraps (heads, bones, guts).
• Recipe: Fill a bucket with fish scraps and water, letting it ferment for weeks with occasional stirs. Strain solids and dilute them before using them as liquid fertiliser.

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Fertiliser Wisdom:

• Dilution is Key:

  Always dilute liquid fertilisers to prevent burning plants (typically 10 parts of water to 1 part fertiliser).

• Application Options:

  Use liquid fertiliser as a soil drench or foliar spray.  Targeting the base of plants or leaves directly.

• Feeding Frequency:

  Apply every 2-4 weeks during the growing season, adjusting based on plant needs and nutrient deficiencies.

• Storage Secrets:

  Keep liquid fertilisers in sealed containers in a cool, dark place, using them within a few weeks for the best results.

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By creating your liquid fertiliser from household scraps and garden waste, you're reducing waste, boosting soil health, and promoting vibrant plant growth – all without relying on synthetic chemicals.

It's a win-win for your garden and the environment!