Liquid Fertilizer: Compost Tea

Last Updated on May 2, 2022 by Josh

Plants, like humans, require food and water to survive. They may not require the same resources as we do to develop and survive, but the fundamental principles remain the same.

They require liquid fertilizers and compost, among other things. It will act as a channel for nutrients to be delivered to plants through their leaves as a foliar feed or through the soil and root system.

Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is any liquid solution fed to plants as a source of nutrition. These fertilizers can provide plants with the food they require to survive through various delivery techniques. You can either spray the fertilizer over the plant’s leaves or place it in the soil, where its roots will absorb it.

While liquid fertilizers are typically used to feed individual plants, you can also use them to increase the growth area in which several plants are located. In addition, you can add liquid fertilizer to the region if you want to boost the amount of nutrient content in the soil or another sort of growing medium. This article explains the best liquid fertilizer for your agricultural needs in-depth.

Choosing the right liquid fertilizer

It’s crucial to know that different liquid fertilizers should be used for other growth places and plants before choosing the one you think is best for your plants. The plants will likely be injured or destroyed if you use the wrong fertilizer. Additionally, keep clear from overly concentrated solutions.

The NPK balance of the solution is the most crucial factor to consider. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) balance relates to the nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. All three nutrients are required for the production of liquid fertilizer. However, each plant requires a specific NPK nutrient content, which you should consider before using liquid fertilizer.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is an element that is extremely useful to plant growth. When supplied to plants, this material mainly encourages leaf growth, so leafy crops require a lot of nitrogen to live. A plant’s green leaves that aren’t getting enough nitrogen will begin to yellow and discolor. It’s also conceivable for plants with insufficient nitrogen to develop a reddish hue on their leaves.

If the leaves of your plants turn yellow after being heavily watered, you know they aren’t getting enough nitrogen. Because nitrogen is a remarkably soluble element, it can be washed out of the soil if you over-water your plants. Instead, consider feeding your plants nitrogen-rich feeds, such as nettle-based and grass clippings.

Phosphorus

Another key element that most plants require to survive is phosphorus. This element can aid in the formation of roots and shoots. While phosphorus deficiency in plants is uncommon, it can happen after heavy rains or if the plants are growing in clay soil. Slowing growth, dulling foliage, and yellowing leaves are the most common symptoms of phosphorus shortage. Consider adding blood and bone meal or fish to your meals to solve this problem and offer your plants the nutrients they require.

Potassium

Potassium is needed for the management of water intake as well as the photosynthetic process. Because plants rely on photosynthesis to transform sunlight into food and fuel, each plant must obtain the proper quantity of potassium. In addition, potassium aids in the healthy fruiting and flowering of various plants. The leaves of plants that aren’t getting enough potassium to survive will become purple or yellow. It’s also possible that the plants won’t flower correctly or the leaves’ edges will turn brown.

When using sandy or chalky soils, potassium shortage is more likely. This problem might also arise as a result of excessive rains. Consider utilizing organic tomato feeds or feeds based on alternative potassium sources to solve this issue adequately. Banana skins, for example, might be used as the basis for your diet. Once the plants have been introduced to them, any indicators of deficiency should go quickly, resulting in healthy plants.

pH levels

When looking for the best liquid fertilizer for your plants, it’s critical to pay attention to the pH levels of the fertilizer. Because the soil already has its pH, the fertilizer must have a specified pH level. Suppose the fertilizer’s pH levels are drastically different from the soil levels. In that case, the fertilizer may cause the pH levels to alter once applied, thus compromising the health of your plants. The plants may be unable to grow adequately if the nutrients are too acidic or alkaline.

A potash liquid fertilizer is an example of a fertilizer that can alter the pH of your soil. This fertilizer is widely used to bring very acidic soils back into equilibrium. While different plants require varying pH levels in the ground, most plants prefer a pH range of 5.5-7.5. If the pH of the fertilizer is less than 5.5, it is termed acidic; anything higher than 7.5 is considered alkaline. Before you choose a liquid fertilizer, check the pH of your soil. You probably won’t need to apply a potash liquid fertilizer if the pH is already at an ideal level.

Liquid fertilizer for plants

Here are some examples of organic liquid fertilizers you can manufacture at home for your plants:

Banana peels

Potassium is abundant in banana peels. Therefore, potassium-rich fertilizers are beneficial to flowering and fruiting plants. However, this may not be the best option for foliage plants like spinach and lettuce.

Organic liquid fertilizer created from banana peels is beneficial to squash and tomato plants. Fill a mason jar halfway with water and cork it with banana peels. Allow it to rest for three days before using it in your garden.

Eggshells

The calcium content of eggshells is high, while the potassium concentration is low. Crush them and combine them with water in a mason jar. Allow a week for the water to settle before using it to water your plants. It’s ideal for tomatoes as well as indoor plants. Calcium helps to keep blossom-end rot at bay.

Vegetable cooking water

Cooking? Don’t throw away the water used to boil the vegetables. Instead, allow it to cool entirely before diluting with water. It can be used on both houseplants and in the organic garden. To avoid an unpleasant odor, use it all at once. This water also contains many vitamins lost when the vegetables are cooked.

Droppings

Collect chicken, rabbit, or goat droppings and place them in a bucket with just enough water to cover the droppings. Drain the water after two to three days of sitting. Use a one-to-twenty water ratio to dilute it and use it to water plants in your organic garden. Droppings tea contains a lot of nitrogen.

Epsom salts

Sulfur and magnesium are found in Epsom salts. Add a tablespoon of Epsom salts to a gallon of water. Use a sprayer to apply the mixture to peppers, tomatoes, roses, and onions. Twice a month, spray them.

Before applying an organic liquid fertilizer to your plants, make sure they’re well-watered. This stops them from absorbing too much salt. If the plants appear to be withered due to a lack of water, it is best to water them well first and then wait twenty-four hours before fertilizing.

Composting

Composting is the natural process of converting organic matter such as leaves and food scraps into valuable fertilizer for both soil and plants. In addition, it hastens decomposition by creating an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing organisms (such as worms, sowbugs, and nematodes) to work in.

Compost is the decomposed stuff that looks like fertile garden soil after decomposing. Compost, often known as “black gold” by farmers, is nutrient-rich and can be utilized in gardening, horticulture, and agriculture.

Composting requires three essential components:

• Browns: Materials such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs fall within this category.
• Green: Grass clippings, vegetable trash, fruit leftovers, and coffee grounds are all examples of greens.
• Water: Having the appropriate amount of water, greens, and browns is crucial for composting.

You should evenly distribute browns and greens in your compost pile. Layers of organic materials of various sizes should also be alternated. The brown materials offer carbon, the green materials provide nitrogen, and the water helps break down the organic matter by providing moisture.

Compost benefits

Some of the benefits of composting include:

• It enriches the soil and aids in retaining moisture and suppresses plant diseases and pests.
• Chemical fertilizers aren’t needed as much.
• Encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungus that decompose organic materials into humus, a nutrient-rich substance.
• Reduces landfill methane emissions and minimizes your carbon footprint.

Compost bin

A compost bin is a container storing dry or moist (organic) waste that eventually decomposes into compost. Compost bins aim to speed up the decomposition process by providing appropriate aeration and moisture retention. The aerobic bacteria can turn organic waste into compost under ideal conditions, such as the right balance of air and moisture.

The composting process will differ depending on the type of bin you use. Compost bins can be purchased or made at home.

Compost bins can be made at home using the following materials:

• Plastic
• Ceramic
• Stone
• Wood

Well-designed aerobic compost bins encourage aerobic bacteria to thrive, which you want. In addition, compost bins that are well-maintained do not emit a foul odor. On the other hand, anaerobic bins emit a foul odor for days.

Compost machine

A composting machine addresses the drawbacks of old composting methods, which were time-consuming, smelly, and took up a lot of room. In addition, there was a slew of other difficulties with the traditional approach that also needed to be addressed. Composting machines are used to treat and recycle both solid and liquid waste.

The discovery of the organic waste composting machine was a watershed moment in the search for waste treatment technologies that were both safe and environmentally benign. As more public and private businesses and people become aware of the machines’ benefits, they turn to them to recycle and convert their garbage to ease landfill congestion.

Composting machine technology provides several advantages that have attracted the attention of many people. For example, the devices are quiet, have no unpleasant odor, don’t attract rats, insects, or flies, and can compost garbage indefinitely. In addition, the efficiency of their volume reduction is in the region of 80 to 90%.

Compost with coffee grounds

Coffee grounds are an excellent addition to the compost pile and garden. You can recycle this valuable organic resource and reduce organic waste in landfills.

Layer the components in the compost pile using 1/3 leaves, 1/3 fresh grass clippings, and 1/3 coffee grounds. If you use it as part of a static compost pile, add coffee grounds, including an equal amount of a carbon source, such as shredded paper or dried leaves. Mix everything up thoroughly.

Compost tea recipe

The term “compost tea” is a misnomer. Tea is technically an infusion, which involves boiling water and pouring it over herbs to make a healthy beverage. While compost tea is similar to a healthy drink for plants, the process is closer to fermentation. Therefore it should almost be named compost beer. It’s a brewed liquid that concentrates bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and, hopefully, nematodes into a liquid form that can be easily used.

You can make compost tea in a variety of ways. The use of vermiculture casting is a popular method. This is another reason to build a worm bin if you don’t already have one. You can create a nutritious tea even if you haven’t begun your worm compost yet.

Ingredients:

• Compost
• Pillowcase or empty bag from rice or wheat
• String or baling twine
• Five-gallon bucket
• Water

Steps:

1. Rinse the bucket well with plain water to remove any remaining bleach or soap.
2. Fill the pillowcase with one shovel of compost.
3. Using the string, firmly close it.
4. Place the bucket in a bright area.
5. Fill the bucket with water until it is two-thirds full.
6. Allow three days for it to “brew.”

Your compost tea recipe is complete once it has been brewed. Remove the bag and re-insert it into your compost. You can now water your plants with the tea.

Is compost a fertilizer?

Compost and fertilizer are not interchangeable terms. However, compost can be used as a fertilizer.

Fertilizer is a natural or synthetic origin item applied to soil or plant tissues to deliver one or more plant nutrients required for plant growth.

Compared to a fertilizer, compost has lower nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (a.k.a. NPK) values. To boost these macronutrient ratios, some people add substances like urea.

However, the NPK value of compost has a monetary worth. Therefore, any input decisions regarding synthetic fertilizer purchases should consider the nutrients given by a compost product. Compost also contributes a variety of micronutrients that aren’t typically found in commercial fertilizers and improves nutrient uptake.

The soil is nourished with compost. The earth looks after the plants by providing many nutrients, pest and disease resistance, and other benefits. However, those nutrients are slow-release, allowing plants to sustain themselves over time. The advantage of a single compost treatment is that it can last for several seasons.

The main objective of fertilizer is to feed plants. The primary purpose of most synthetic fertilizers is to provide N, P, and K to the soil. The application offers a rush of nourishment right away.

Have you tried using liquid fertilizer or compost tea? How did it help your plants?

Source:

• https://sensorex.com/2021/01/11/liquid-fertilizer-for-agriculture/
• https://happydiyhome.com/liquid-fertilizer/
• https://www.ecomena.org/liquid-organic-fertilizer/
• https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101
• https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
• https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/compost-pile-vs-bin.php
• https://ecepl.com/all/organic-waste-composting-machine/
• https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/soil-compost/coffee-grounds-composting
• https://morningchores.com/compost-tea-recipe/
• https://mcgillcompost.com/resources/are-compost-and-fertilizer-the-same/