Garden Diary: How to Make Organic Liquid Fertilizer

A stall at our local market was selling organic liquid fertiliser and a ‘so say’ miracle cure for my ailing zucchini. We bought some. The jury is still out. Probably snake oil. Let’s just say I’m not impressed. However, what did capture my attention and pique my interest was a small, rubbish bin-type container fitted with a tap. Intrigued, I asked for more information. Apparently, it was a bin to make your own liquid fertiliser from green kitchen waste, tea leaves, coffee grounds, eggshells, etc. I asked the price. ONLY €90. Seriously? I politely stifled a laugh. Last time I checked in the mirror, I didn’t have ‘MUG‘ tattooed on my forehead.

When we got home, Mr. Piglet raided the garage and found an old kitchen pedal bin, a plastic dustbin bag and a container to catch the liquid as it drained through. I had no idea how this was going to work, but I love a challenge.

I put the container in the bin to catch the liquid. Punched some holes in the bottom of the plastic bag and wedged it above the container. Okay, the container is the wrong shape and too small, but I’m sure I’ll find something more suitable in time. Remember, I am repurposing items I already have.

Ingredients:

Over the next few weeks, I added all my uncooked vegetable and fruit scraps, ground eggshells, coffee grounds, teabags etc. (no meat, cereals or cooked food)

Creative Mr Piglet made me a wooden block to weigh down the contents.

After about 15 days came the moment of truth. I carefully lifted out the bag of rotting matter. Yep, our first batch of natural home-made liquid fertiliser.

I then poured into an old water bottle to store until needed. I don’t think I would store for more than a few days.

I diluted about 15 parts water to one part fertiliser to test and applied to several flowering plants. Next week I will feed my vegetables.

On further research (see YT video below) they advise ratio of 10:1

I was especially delighted because not only had I produced our own liquid fertiliser, but we had also repurposed several items rather than buy new.

In the Spring, I make nettle fertiliser but it is a phaff as you must strain the liquid before use and it stinks. (I didn’t strain the first year and by the following spring, I had a proliferation of nettles in pots, raised beds and even growing in the brita.

Do you make your own plant fertiliser, and if so, what method do you use?