When you harvest vegetables from your garden, the first thing you usually do is clean them. But did you know that washing them can actually waste something incredibly valuable? The soil and root ball of your vegetables contain beneficial microbes that can be used to help your plants grow faster and stronger.
Instead of washing away these microbes, you can capture them and turn them into a natural fertilizer that boosts the health of your garden. Here’s how you can easily do this with a few simple steps.
Why Vegetable Scraps and Soil Are Valuable for Your Garden
When you pull vegetables from the ground, they often bring a little bit of soil with them. This soil isn’t just dirt—it’s filled with beneficial microbes that are great for your garden. These microbes play an important role in breaking down organic matter, improving soil health, and making nutrients more available to your plants. Instead of discarding this valuable resource by washing it down the sink, you can use it to your advantage.
By using the soil and root ball that cling to your vegetables, you can create a nutrient-rich liquid that will give your garden the boost it needs.
How to Capture the Beneficial Microbes
The first step is to wash your vegetables, but do it in a way that captures the beneficial microbes. Instead of rinsing them in your kitchen sink, fill a clean bucket with non-chlorinated water. Chlorinated water can kill the microbes you want to keep, so make sure you use water that doesn’t contain chlorine. This can be tap water that has been left to sit for a while or any other clean, non-chlorinated water source.
Once the bucket is filled, use it to wash the soil off the roots of your harvested vegetables. As you clean them, the water will turn cloudy, and that’s a good sign. The soil is releasing microbes and nutrients into the water. This liquid is now a valuable resource for your plants, and you can use it to water them or even turn it into a more powerful fertilizer.
Turning the Water Into Fertilizer
After washing your vegetables in the bucket of water, you can leave the water as is and use it to water your plants directly. The microbes in the water will help improve soil health, giving your plants a stronger foundation to grow. However, you can also enhance this water by turning it into a more concentrated fertilizer.
To do this, take any vegetable scraps you don’t plan to eat, such as outer leaves, carrot tops, or radish greens. These scraps are full of nutrients that can break down in the water and enrich it further. Chop the scraps into smaller pieces and add them to the bucket of water where you washed your vegetables. Stir everything together, ensuring that the vegetable scraps are fully submerged in the liquid.
Let It Ferment
Once you’ve added the vegetable scraps to the bucket, cover it with a lid. Be sure to leave the lid slightly loose so that air can still circulate. This is important for the fermentation process, which is how the microbes break down the vegetable scraps and release their nutrients into the liquid.
Now, place the bucket in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight, and leave it there for about seven days. During this time, the microbes in the water will start to break down the vegetable scraps, creating a nutrient-rich liquid that can be used to fertilize your plants.
Using the Fertilizer
After seven days, your liquid fertilizer is ready. You’ll notice that the water has become a darker, greenish color and smells a little like compost. This is a sign that the fermentation process has worked and that the liquid is full of nutrients that will help your plants grow.
Before using the fertilizer, it’s important to dilute it. The concentrated liquid is very strong, so you should mix it with water to avoid overwhelming your plants. A good rule of thumb is to dilute the fertilizer in a 1:10 ratio, meaning one part liquid fertilizer to ten parts water. This will give your plants the nutrients they need without harming them.
Once diluted, simply pour the mixture around the base of your plants, focusing on the soil. Avoid pouring it directly on the leaves or stems, as it’s best absorbed by the roots. This natural fertilizer will provide your plants with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for strong growth and healthy yields.
Why This Method Works
There are many types of fertilizers available on the market, but this homemade liquid fertilizer has some key advantages. First, it’s made from natural ingredients that are already in your garden, so it’s completely organic and safe for the environment. Second, it’s free! By using the scraps from your vegetable harvest and the soil from your garden, you’re recycling resources that would otherwise be wasted.
The microbes in the water also play a crucial role in promoting soil health. Healthy soil is key to a thriving garden, as it supports a balanced ecosystem of beneficial organisms that help break down organic matter, fight pests, and keep plants healthy. By using the water from your vegetable wash, you’re adding more of these beneficial microbes to your garden, helping it thrive in a natural, sustainable way.
Storing the Fertilizer
If you have leftover liquid fertilizer after using it, you can store it in the same bucket for a few weeks. Just make sure the lid is loosely covered so that air can continue to circulate. The microbes will continue to thrive in the liquid, so it will stay effective for some time. When you’re ready to use it again, simply dilute it with water and apply it to your plants.
However, if the liquid begins to smell too strong or starts to show signs of mold, it’s best to discard it and start a new batch. As with any organic material, fermentation can vary, and it’s important to monitor the condition of your liquid fertilizer to ensure it stays effective.
Benefits of Using Liquid Fertilizer Made from Vegetable Scraps
There are many benefits to using homemade liquid fertilizer made from vegetable scraps. Here are some of the most notable:
- Boosts Plant Growth: The nutrients in the fertilizer, combined with the beneficial microbes, help plants grow faster and healthier.
- Sustainable: This method recycles waste materials from your garden, reducing the amount of garbage you create and helping you use resources more efficiently.
- Affordable: The only costs involved are the water and a little time, making it an incredibly affordable way to fertilize your plants.
- Improves Soil Health: The microbes in the liquid fertilizer work to improve the overall health of your garden soil, making it more fertile and better able to support plant growth.
- Completely Organic: This method is 100% organic, meaning you’re not introducing any chemicals or synthetic fertilizers into your garden.