How to Make Liquid Fertilizer for Plants

Plants that are mulched usually grow well enough, but the mulch needs to break down so it can be absorbed through the plant's roots. Liquid fertilizer is easy to make and can be directly absorbed by the plant, meaning your plant will grow faster and be healthier and stronger. Liquid fertilizer is especially important for plants that grow in pots, and plants quickly use up the nutrients in the potted soil.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• compost (organic if you are trying to grow organic vegetables)
• bucket or container.

1. Fill the bucket or container about halfway with compost. Make sure you are using compost (it will be dark and crumbly), and not mulch.

2. Fill the bucket the rest of the way with water and stir it well.

3. The mixture needs to sit for about 3 days to a week. Stir the mix at least once a day to aerate it. If the mixture has a strong smell, it needs more oxygen; stir it more often and add some fresh water.

4. After at least three days, strain the mixture.

5. The fertilizer is now ready to use. The fertilizer will be very strong, and you will need to dilute it otherwise the nitrogen will burn the plant's roots. Dilute about one cup of the fertilizer with about one gallon of water before using.

6. Do not keep the fertilizer for more than one week, as the compost will start to rot.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not pour the liquid fertilizer over your plants without first diluting it.