Every day, kitchen waste like vegetable peels, fruit skins, and stale food is thrown away. But this waste is not useless. It can be turned into a powerful liquid fertilizer that plants love. This method is simple, fast, and requires only two buckets. The best part? You also get compost from the same process.
What You Need
- Two 5-gallon buckets (one with holes, one without)
- A drill machine to make holes in one bucket
- Kitchen waste (vegetable peels, fruit skins, tea leaves, old bread, etc.)
- A heavy brick or weight
- A lid to cover the bucket
Setting Up the Buckets
Take one bucket and drill many holes in the bottom. These holes will allow the nutrient-rich liquid to drain. Place this bucket inside the second bucket, which has no holes. There will be a gap of 2-3 inches between them. This space will collect the liquid.
Collecting Kitchen Waste
Go to your kitchen and collect all the plant-based waste. This includes vegetable peels, fruit skins, the outer layers of peas, tea leaves, and old bread. Do not use meat, dairy, or anything oily. These can cause a bad smell and attract insects. Put all this waste into the bucket with holes.
Pressing the Waste
Place a heavy brick or any weight on top of the waste. This helps press the material down, allowing more liquid to drain out. The weight also speeds up decomposition.
Covering and Waiting
Loosely cover the bucket with a lid. Do not seal it completely. Some air is needed for the microbes to work. Leave the setup for 15 days. During this time, the waste will break down, releasing a thick, nutrient-rich liquid.
Collecting the Liquid Fertilizer
After 15 days, remove the upper bucket with holes. Inside the lower bucket, you will find a dark, concentrated liquid. This is your homemade liquid fertilizer. Do not throw away any drop—it is full of nutrients and beneficial microbes.
How to Use the Liquid Fertilizer
This liquid is very strong, so it must be diluted. Mix 1 liter of liquid with 10 liters of water. Pour this mixture directly into the soil around your plants. Avoid pouring it on leaves. Plants will absorb nutrients quickly, leading to stronger growth.
Using the Remaining Waste
The solid waste in the upper bucket is still useful. Add it to your compost pile. Over time, it will break down further, enriching the soil with organic matter.
Benefits of This Method
- Fast Results – Unlike traditional composting, which takes months, this method gives liquid fertilizer in just 15 days.
- Nutrient-Rich – The liquid contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential for plant growth.
- Microbial Boost – It is full of beneficial microbes that improve soil health and nutrient absorption.
- Zero Waste – Everything is used—liquid for plants and solids for compost.
- Chemical-Free – 100% natural and organic, safe for all plants.
- Cost-Effective – No need to buy expensive fertilizers.
Kitchen waste should never go to waste. With this simple method, it turns into a powerful plant booster in just a few days. Try this at home and see the difference in your garden. If you found this method helpful, share it with others and subscribe for more natural gardening tips.