Homemade Fertilizer for Hot Peppers

Epsom Salts

• Epsom salts are good sources of magnesium for hot pepper plants. Dissolve 1 tsp. of Epsom salts into 1 qt. of cool water. Spray this mixture over the pepper plants in the morning when the plants are starting to set blossoms and then again 10 days later. The magnesium will help the plant set more peppers sooner so they have time to ripen and develop pungency.

Grass Clippings

• Hot peppers require a moist ground for the rapidly developing fruits. Covering the ground around the plant with a blanket of grass clippings after the soil warms will keep water from evaporating from the soil. At the same time, the grass will decompose and supply nitrogen to the soil.

Animal Manure

• Manure will vary somewhat between animal species but generally it is a good well-balanced source of the three major elements, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Some of the nitrogen escapes into the air during handling but the phosphorus and potassium stay unchanged, remaining similar to commercial fertilizers.

Compost

• Compost is a natural way to feed the soil and therefore the plants that grow in it. It adds decomposed plant material that holds water from leeching through the soil. Microbial life is attracted to the plant matter as well as earthworms, which also help fertilize the soil and keep it aerated.