Plant Care Tonics

Tea

• Recycle used tea bags by placing in a gallon jar and cover with water. When the water darkens, use it to water your house or garden plants. Break open the tea bags and sprinkle around the base of house plants to provided a free and effective plant tonic rich in nitrogen.

Miscellaneous Household Tonics

• Use leftover coffee to water houseplants. Its rich in nitrogen that encourages foliage growth. Save the water used to hard boil eggs. Allow to cool and use to water garden or house plants. Eggs provide calcium and magnesium needed for root development.

Manure Tea

• Place a couple of shovels of aged herbivore manure (sheep, chicken, cow, goat or horses) in a 5-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket with water and cover with a tight fitting lid. Place in a sunny location in the garden. Leave it alone for two to three weeks. Dilute the liquid with 4 parts of water and use to water garden vegetables and flower beds.

Kitchen Compost

• Vegetable scraps, fruit rinds and peels, grains, egg shells and coffee grounds can be placed in a 5-gallon bucket and covered with water. Place a lid on the bucket and leave to age in the sun for six to eight weeks. When ready, the liquid will be foamy, dark brown and present an earthy aroma. Strain the liquid and dilute with 6 to 8 parts of water. Use to water garden plants. The leftover solids can be cultivated into garden soil.

Comfrey

• High in potash and other ingredients essential for plant nutrition, the herb comfrey provides the basic ingredient for a plant growth stimulating tonic. Place cut comfrey leaves and stems in a 5-gallon bucket. Place a brick or rock on top of the leaves to weigh them down. Fill the bucket with water and cover with a tight fitting lid. Let the mixture stand for four to six weeks. The resulting herbal tonic should be diluted with 8 parts of water and used to water garden plants. Add any remaining solids to the compost pile.

Plant Feeding Tonic

• Combine one cup of lemon-scented ammonia with 1 can of cola (non-diet), 1 can of beer, 1 cup of lemon juice, 1 cup of apple juice and 1/2 cup of liquid fish fertilizer. Mix 1 qt. of the mixture with 20 gallons of water in a spray applicator. Apply to garden plants and vegetables monthly.