After a few Pinterest project fails, I was a little nervous about using the DIY plant fertilizers that were being posted. Without knowing why different amounts of ingredients were being added, or their benefit (or worse, harm) to the plants, I thought I’d hold off. So it was time to do a little research into the different ingredients, which ones were beneficial, and in what amounts.
Here’s a table of what I found:
| Ingredient | Quantity (per gallon of water) | Benefits | Possible Harmful Effect | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | 2.5 TBSP (1%) | Nitrogren for Growth | Too much can stunt growth and reduce water absorption | link |
| Epsom Salt | 2 TBSP |
Magnesium for Chlorophyll |
link | |
| Aspirin | 1.5 – 81mg tablets | Boosts immune system Improves seed germination rate |
Too much kills; plant focuses on defenses instead of root/plant growth | link |
| Brewed Coffee | 1 cup | Magnesium and Potassium | Can increase acidity | link |
| Coffee Grounds | 1 TBSP | Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium and Copper as they decompose | link |
This year, I’ll be testing this formula out on potted plants and the vegetable garden, comparing Miracle Grow to the DIY method; Fertilizing every two weeks. I’ve tested it on the seedlings I sprouted in cottonballs and it was gentle enough not to harm their roots and did seem to speed up secondary leaf development.
The end result of the fertilizer cocktail looks like a weak tea.
