frugal fertilizers

[forestdale]

I've got three recipes for frugal fertilizers.  I've use all these as they are an excellent way to add minerals and organic matter to the garden without forking out dollars.

Comfrey

Comfrey is an invasive herb that should be grown in a big tub.  I wish someone had told be that when I planted it.  But it is an excellent fertilizer, especially for potatoes.  When growing potatoes I simple cut off all my comfrey and make a much of it for the spuds.  The potatoes love it.  Comfrey grows quickly so it won't be long before you have another batch waiting to be used.

You can also made a herb tea from comfrey which serves as a very good liquid fertiliser. Comfrey contains nitrogen, calcium, potash and phosphorus, greater than any animal manures.   The average garden will need around seven plants for a continual supply of leaves.  To make the liquid fertilizer take a bucket full of comfrey leaves and place in a large container of water that you can put a lid on.  Leave the mixture in the container for around two weeks, stir it every couple of days.  After two weeks you can use it as a fertilizer by mixing 1/4 comfrey mixture to 3/4 tap water.  Water your plants with this and they'll love you for it.

Comfrey is also excellent in the compost heap and will break down compost in around half the time it should normally take.

Egg shells

Eggs shells contain calcium, a tiny amount of nitrogen and other trace minerals necessary for plant growth.  I crush my egg shells to as fine a grain as I can get them as sprinkle them in the garden.  Get your cultivator and work it into the soil slightly, don't expose the roots.

Coffee Grounds

Don't throw them out. Instead, dry them in the oven and then scatter around your plants.  You'll need to dry them to stop them from going mouldy.  Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, phosphorus and various trace elements.

[Darlene]

Thanks Rhonda! I still remember my Mom saving coffee grounds & egg shells, that was about 30 some odd years ago. Her gardens loved the extra attention.

[Kimberlina]

Just wanted to add that most Starbucks will give anyone who asks free coffee grounds. (The ones in book stores/ hopitals etc. do not have to do this if they don't want to, apparently, even though the Starbucks web site says their stores do this.)

DH sometimes works near one. We've been able to get them no problem until this week when all of a sudden everyone wanted them, but they did say if we call 3 days ahead, they will safe them just for us!

[jlxian]

Great tips. Thanks, Rhonda.

Many years ago, on our first country place, my husband planted comfrey. I'm guessing he had read it was a good natural garden additive, but I do not recall him making use of it.

I wonder if it became invasive and if the new residents are cussing us!

[DaisyLady]

Comfrey grows wild here, without any help at all!

[Telephus44]

Thanks Rhonda! I knew about the eggshells (I have a small tin of crushed one that I am using this year) but had never heard about the coffee grounds. I am a big coffee drinker, so I will start saving them as well.