Store bought fertilizers and pesticides could be dangerous to the health of your family, including your pets. Use these easy recipes and tips, from my friend Mythili Bandi, to make DIY fertilizers and pesticides, and grow a lush and verdant garden and for a bountiful produce of flowers, fruits and vegetables.
Natural Eco-friendly Fertilizers
Banana Peel Recipes
Dried Banana Peel Powder
Dry banana peels in the sun. Blend to make a powder. Banana peels contain potassium which is an essential nutrient for promoting more flowers and fruits on plants.
Banana Peel Garden Tea
Steep banana peels in water for a few days. Use the banana tea to water your plants.
NPK Garden Fertilizer Recipe
The three major nutrients that plants need are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are referred to by the initials of their chemical symbols: N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorus), and K (Potassium).
- 4 banana peels blended (rich in potassium)
- 8 teaspoons blackstrap molasses (contains several nutrients such as carbon, potassium and magnesium)
- 4 crushed eggshell (contains nitrogen and phosphorus and is also high in calcium, which is especially important for preventing blossom end rot in tomatoes)
Mix all the above ingredients and place in a container. Cover the container with muslin or breathable cloth and allow it to ferment for a week. Make sure you stir well once a day. Cover with the cloth and leave it in a shaded spot. After a week, dilute the solution in 7 gallons of water and feed it to plants for NPK and micronutrients. Ratio of ingredients can be adjusted based on the quantity proportion.
Worm Castings Compost Tea
Tie worm castings in a mesh bag and hang in a bucket. Add molasses and water (rain water if available). Mix everything and place aerator (you can use the bubbler/airstone end of an aquarium aerator) for 36 to 48 hours. Dilute in 1:5 compost tea to water ratio and give it to plants for healthy and organic fruits and vegetables.
DIY Natural Pesticides & Sprays
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol desiccates the bodies of: aphids, thrips and mealy bugs. Mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 quart of water into a spray bottle. Spray on your plants.
Insect Soap
Although insect soaps are available in the gardening aisle of your local store, you can make your own. This spray is effective against caterpillars, aphids and mites. Adding cooking oil to the mixture makes it cling to the leaves for more effectiveness.
Into a spray bottle, combine 3 drops of mild dishwashing liquid, 1 quart water and 1 tablespoon cooking oil. Mix thoroughly until the liquid soap is fully dissolved. Spray this mix on herbs or vegetables
Orange Oil Recipes
Orange Citrus Oil And Soap
This orange citrus oil and soap mixture is effective in treating your plants against slugs. You can also spray it directly on roaches and ants.
In a mixing bowl, mix 3 tablespoons liquid organic Castile oil, 1 ounce Orange oil 1 gallon water. Transfer the mixture in a spray bottle. Before you use it, shake well and spray on the affected area.
Citrus Oil And Cayenne Pepper
This organic pesticide works best on ants. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which repels spider mites and other insects on plants.
In a mixing bowl, mix 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 10 drops citrus essential oil and 1 cup warm water. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle. Before use, shake well and spray on the affected area.
Garlic
Garlic Recipe
Garlic is known for its strong aroma which is delectable to some while repellent to others. It’s scent comes into play when you use it as an insecticide. A single spray is good to knock out insects in the garden.
Peel the garlic cloves (use 1 garlic head). Puree the cloves with 2 tablespoons vegetable or mineral oil and 2 cups water. Allow the mixture to sit overnight. Strain the mixture and add 1 tablespoon dish soap. Mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Use it on pest-infected plants.
If you have other tried and tested DIY fertilizers and pesticides, please share in the comments section.
Other Gardening Articles on our Website
- The Magic of Microgreens
- No Place to Garden? No Problem!
- Enjoy Fresh Tomatoes Until Thanksgiving
- It’s Easy to Grow Colorful Caladiums
Do you love our posts and recipes? We’d LOVE to see your creations so click a photo and tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #healthyindian3 and please give a star (★) rating below. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube & Tumblr for healthy, easy and delicious recipes and lifestyle tips.
*There could be affiliate links in this blog. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
