What is heartbreak to you? For many gardeners, it’s seeing their plants suffer from phosphorus deficiency. The sight of your plant’s wilting, yellowing leaves is indeed deeply disappointing and has often led people to quit gardening – because let’s face it, seeing your favorite plants die is not easy. Such an incident can really drain your confidence.
But why does it happen? What causes plants to die? Phosphorus deficiency is a common plant ailment which can be caused by a lack of soil nutrients, specifically phosphorus in the soil. You may have used compost, amended your soil, or fertilized, but did you add enough phosphorus?
What better solution to phosphorus deficiency than to craft your own homemade phosphorus fertilizer, to use when you need it.
What is Phosphorus Fertilizer Used for?
Phosphorus fertilizers are used to increase crop production rates and can improve root development, photosynthesis, and flower growth in plants. They also help to promote healthy soil by increasing the microorganism population and aiding in water retention.
The Importance of Phosphorus for Plants?
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development, yet it is often one of the most neglected fertilizers in gardeners’ routine. Without adequate phosphorus, plants are vulnerable to poor root development, stunted growth, low yields, and overall poor health.
Plant experts say that phosphorus is necessary for photosynthesis and energy transfer, root development and fruit growth. It also helps to increase the efficiency of other nutrients, such as nitrogen and potassium, promoting healthier plants overall.
What happens when a plant is low on phosphorus?
When a plant is deficient in phosphorus, the symptoms are often not immediately visible. In the early stages of deficiency, plants may have stunted growth, but the leaves will remain green and healthy.
As the deficiency progresses, dark purple or reddish brown spots may appear on the leaves. Moving forward, plants low in phosphorus are prone to stress from disease and pests, wilting in the heat, and slower growth overall.
If left untreated for too long, phosphorus deficiency can cause yellowing of the leaves and eventual death. To prevent these adverse effects from happening, it is essential to provide plants with an adequate amount of phosphorus fertilization. And, the best way to do that is to use homemade phosphorus fertilizer for plants.
Homemade Phosphorus Fertilizers
The below are some of the most effective homemade fertilizers containing phosphorus.
1. Egg shell fertilizer
A phosphorus fertiliser homemade can be created using eggshells. Eggshells are loaded with phosphorus and calcium, both essential nutrients for plants. When you use them as a fertilizer, the phosphorus helps stimulate root growth and flowering, while the calcium helps strengthen cell walls.
How to make/use
To make your own phosphorus fertilizer homemade using eggshells, simply collect a few dozen shells, dry them out, grind them to a fine powder in a blender or food processor, and then add the fine powder to your garden soil.
2. Compost tea fertilizer
Compost tea is an easy phosphorus homemade fertilizer that you can make with items found in your backyard. Compost tea is full of phosphorus and is used by many experts.
How to make/use
To make a compost tea, start by gathering a few handfuls of fresh home compost and adding it to a container filled with water. Then cover the container and let it sit in direct sunlight for several days. The phosphorus in the compost will mix with the water as it steeps, creating a phosphorus-rich nutrient solution.
3. Banana peels fertilizer
Banana peels are a great source of phosphorus, as well as other essential nutrients that plants need to thrive. They help provide a slow, steady release of phosphorus, making them a good choice for homemade phosphorus fertilizer.
How to make/use
Simply place banana peels directly into the soil near your plants or steep in water to create a phosphorus rich fertilizer.
4. Bone meal fertilizer
Bone meal is a great organic phosphorus fertilizer. It can be made from organic sources such as animal bones, fish bones, or poultry byproducts. It is a very efficient fertilizer for providing phosphorus to the soil. However, it must be used carefully because the high levels of organic matter in bone meal can cause nitrogen and potassium deficiencies.
How to make/use
To make an organic phosphorus fertilizer homemade from bone meal, grind bones until they become a fine powder. Once done, spread the powder around your plants and work it into the soil. You may want to mix the powder with organic compost, so it will be better absorbed by the plants.
5. Coffee grounds fertilizer
Surprisingly, coffee grounds act as an effective homemade liquid phosphorus fertilizer. Coffee grounds contain high amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that can improve the soil quality. Moreover, they are also good at attracting earthworms, which are essential for healthy soil.
How to make/use
To make high in phosphorus liquid fertilizer with coffee grounds, add a cup of used coffee grounds to five gallons of water and make sure the grounds are completely submerged. Let the mixture steep for 24 hours before straining out the solids and pouring it directly onto the soil around your plants. This phosphorus fertilizer should be used within a few days of preparation and should not be stored for later use.
6. Burned cucumber skins fertilizer
Yes, you read that right. Cucumber skins contain phosphorus, and when burned and used as homemade fertilizer can have a significant impact on plant growth. The burning process helps to release the phosphorus, making it readily available for the plants to absorb. Overall, this homemade high in phosphorus fertilizer will help stimulate growth and flowering in garden plants.
How to make/use
To make homemade phosphorus fertilizer from cucumber skins, start by collecting a few skins and burn them in a safe area. After the skins have burned, let the ashes cool before adding them to your garden soil. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to a container of water and let it steep for 24 hours before using. The phosphorus will dissolve in the water and can be used to water your plants.
7. Banana peels and eggshell fertilizer
What’s better than one? Two. Banana peels and eggshells make an easy homemade phosphorus and potassium fertilizer duo that you can use for your garden. These ingredients will provide your plants many of the necessary nutrients they need to flourish.
How to make/use
To make this homemade fertilizer, simply put the banana peels and egg shells in an airtight container and fill the container with water. Allow the mixture to steep for up to two weeks before using it on your plants. When ready, strain the mixture and add it to the soil around your plants. The phosphorus and potassium will be slowly released over time, providing your plants with lasting nourishment.
Note: Make sure to use organic, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
This homemade potassium and phosphorus fertilizer blend is not only easy to make, but it is also a great booster for your garden!
8. Manure fertilizer
Manure is a great source of phosphorus and other essential nutrients, making it an ideal homemade fertilizer. Manure can be made from a variety of animal waste.
How to make/use
To make homemade phosphorus fertilizer from manure, start by collecting the manure and allow it to decompose. Once the manure is ready to use it can be worked into the soil around your plants. Alternatively, you can add the decomposed manure to a bucket of water and let it steep for up to seven days before applying it directly onto your garden.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect homemade phosphorus fertilizer blend for your garden is as easy as 1-2-3. With the right supplies and knowledge, you can craft a DIY solution that will provide your plants with all of the nutrients they need to flourish.
So grab your supplies and get ready to experience the reward of crafting your own phosphorus fertilizer blend. With proper application, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your garden starts to bloom!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What homemade fertilizer is high in phosphorus?
All the fertilizers we discussed above are high in phosphorus, with the best being a combination of any manure, bone meal, banana peels and egg shells.
What is a 2-minute homemade phosphorus fertilizer recipe?
A homemade phosphorus fertilizer recipe can be created in a matter of minutes. Start by combining equal parts superphosphate, rock phosphate and bone meal or greensand. Mix the ingredients together until they are well blended, then use 2 to 3 cups of this homemade mixture per 10 square feet of garden soil. This homemade phosphorus fertilizer will provide an excellent source of phosphorus to your soil.
How to make homemade phosphorus fertilizer with basic household items?
Making a homemade phosphorus fertilizer is quite simple and can easily be done with basic household items such as kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells.
Start by collecting the kitchen scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells into a large bowl. Grind the items together until they are finely ground and mixed together. This will create a homemade phosphorus fertilizer blend that can be added to your soil.
