There are cheap ways to make ferts. Here are a few I found on the net;
From the kitchen:
- Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and lower soil pH. Spread in soil around plants.
- Garlic adds trace elements to soil. Blend a few cloves with water and spread the paste around the garden. (It will help repel insects too!)
- Corn meal provides phosphorous.
- Vinegar lowers pH levels and can revive wilted plants. Mix 1 tablespoon per gallon of water and spray soil and foliage.
From the bathroom:
- Epsom salts are basically magnesium sulfate. Create a solution of 1 tablespoon epsom salts per gallon of water and drench garden soil.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a great folar fertilizer. For one gallon of water, dilute 1/2 cup of 3 % hydrogen peroxide or 2 teaspoons of 35% hydrogen peroxide. Mist leaves to fertilize, and the solution will also kill mold or bacterial infections.
From the pets:
- Chicken manure is an excellent source of nutrition for plants, as are the droppings from indoor pet birds.
- Alfalfa meal or rabbit food made from alfalfa meal contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorousall the main ingredients in complete fertilizers.
http://gardening.sheknows.com/2011/03/04/organic-fertilizers-in-the-home/
Banana peels, for instance, are rich in potassium, which promote strong root growth. Flowering bushes like roses and root vegetables like carrots or beets need potassium. To use banana peels as a fertilizer, you can bury the peel near the roots of the plant you wish to fertilize, or just throw the peel directly onto the ground under your plants. If youre concerned about animals digging up the peel, puree the peel in a blender with about a quart of water then, simply water your plants with this banana peel smoothie.
Used coffee grounds are also a great fertilizer for plants, providing them with nitrogen for strong green growth. Coffee grounds also provide other trace nutrients plants need, like calcium and copper. Let them cool and dry out slightly first and then simply sprinkle them on top of the soil. Coffee grounds are ideal for indoor plants; use about a tablespoon per pot. Crushed eggshells also contain nitrogen, and are also good for balancing the acidity of your soil.
If you or someone you know has a pet rabbit, you have a ready source of fertilizer. Like all other animal droppings, rabbit droppings are rich in nitrogen; they also contain phosphorus, which helps promote flower and fruit growth. Rabbit droppings are also compact and odorless, which makes handling them far more pleasant for the gardener! To use rabbit droppings, simply sprinkle a little on the soil around your plants.
Even ashes can be a fertilizer. Ashes from real wood provide a boost of potassium to the soil. Be sure you are using ashes from real wood, and not from the commercial fireplace logs which are often treated with chemicals that could harm your plants. To use, simply sprinkle a handful around the roots of your plants. If youre preparing a new garden, use about five pounds per 100 square feet of soil; sprinkle the ashes over the soil, and then rake the soil to mix it in.
How Often Can I Use My Homemade Fertilizers?
Like with other fertilizers, you should limit your homemade fertilizer use to only once every other week. Wood ashes have a stronger impact on the acidity of your soil, however, so only use them once a year.
