Household ingredients such as coffee grounds, banana peels and eggshells contain necessary minerals to strengthen and encourage growth in plants. In this article, we explore simple recipes for DIY Plant Fertilizer, the advantages of using each ingredient and provide a sampling of the plants that benefit most.

When I was a kid, Mom used to dump the last cold drop of black coffee from her cup every day on a small collection of plants on the corner of the driveway. She always reasoned that it helped the plants grow. Indeed, over time I realized that these plants were generally larger than their fellow counterparts dispersed throughout the same garden. I suspected as well, like the rest of us in the family, the plants were addicted to their daily dose of joe.
As an adult, I also learned that many household ingredients can easily serve as DIY Plant Fertilizers. Using household ingredients also has the benefits of reducing waste and saving money, both of which bring me joy.
Fertilizing plants should be done in the growing season. This is much more easily identified for outdoor plants, typically in early spring through early autumn. Indoor plants, however, may be gently fertilized year-round with natural DIY fertilizer, typically every couple of months. If using a commercial fertilizer, be sure to follow the package directions.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee is high in nitrogen, so this fertilizer works best on plants that love acid, such as Ferns, Azaleas, Hydrangeas, Rhododendron, Magnolia, Holly, Caladium, Gardenia, Begonias and Pepper Plants.
Soak coffee grounds in water for about a week. Strain out the grounds, then water the plants with the remaining liquid. If you don’t drink coffee, visit a local coffee shop and ask for some used grounds. Most will give it to you for free.

Banana Peels
Banana Peels provide plants with much-needed potassium. Plants that thrive with potassium include Fruit Trees (Pear, Apple, Lemon, Apricot and Orange), vegetables such as Zucchinis, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Eggplants and Peppers, and flowers and shrubs such as Bougainvillea, Roses, Lantana, Hibiscus and Marigolds.
To make banana fertilizer, either puree the banana peels with water and pour the mixture directly onto the soil, or steep banana peels in a covered container with water for a week. While some gardeners add banana peels directly to their garden, I would caution against this as the disintegrating peels may attract insect visitors to their vegetable garden.
Egg Shells
Eggshells provide plants with calcium carbonate, which provides plants structure to its cell walls by promoting growth and increasing its resilience to pests and diseases. Plants lacking in calcium may have weak stems and browning leaves. Flowering plants that benefit most from calcium include Roses, Marigolds, Petunias, and Sunflowers. Many of the cold-weather vegetables are also very responsive to calcium: Spinach, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bok choy, Collards, Kale, Carrots, Cabbage, and Brussels Sprouts.
Clean eggshells can be finely ground and mixed into the soil, which helps to deter snails. However, they breakdown slowly, so if plants are showing signs of calcium deficiency, soak eggshells in boiling water overnight then pour the water onto the soil.
Of course, if all else fails (and you drink black coffee), empty the last drop beside your struggling tomato plant and dream of plenty of Pico in your future...
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