How to Make Your Own Fertilizer System

An easily controlled part of successful planting, soil management involves incorporating the key nutrients for plant growth. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the primary nutrients plants need and are generally included in commercial fertilizers in inorganic forms. However, if using natural products is important to you, you can make your own fertilizer system using organic ingredients and compounds readily available in nature and your garden center. Add dry organic fertilizer in the spring before planting and liquid fertilizer to plant leaves to increase plant development.

Soil test kit
Dried bone meal
Garden hoe
Manure
Kelp powder
Container with spray nozzle

Instructions

- 1
  Test the soil with a soil test kit in the spring to determine the existing levels of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. You can find these kits at garden centers or you can take a sample of the soil to a university extension office for them to test. The extension test will provide much more accurate data.
- 2
  Spread 1 pound of dried bone meal over a 10-square-foot area of soil to increase the phosphorus content in the soil. Mix it deep into the soil with a garden hoe to distribute it fully.
- 3
  Add 3 pounds of manure per 10 square feet of garden soil to increase the nitrogen content in your soil. Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer over the soil. You can obtain mulches and organic mixes made from manure at garden supply stores.
- 4
  Sow the spring plants into the prepared soil.
- 5
  Mix 1/2 teaspoon kelp powder with 1 gallon of water. Place in a container with a spray nozzle. Spray a fine mist over the underside of foliage to increase the potassium content. The stomata on the leaves will absorb the liquid fertilizer and transfer it to the plant’s roots.

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