Fertilizer Blending Techniques

Overview

Fertilizers contain nutrients that are essential for a plant's growth. Some fertilizers are made from organic waste such as manure. Others are manufactured from certain minerals or from synthetic compounds produced in factories. There are four basic forms of fertilizer. They are as follows: 1) Straight-goods fertilizer, which is any chemical compound that contains one or more blended fertilizer element; 2) Bulk-blend fertilizer, which is a mixture of straight goods in certain proportions; 3) Manufactured fertilizer, which is two or more chemicals that are blended and formed into small grains; and 4) Liquid fertilizer, which is one or more blended fertilizers dissolved in water.

Step 1

For the liquid blend: Pour 1 cup water into bucket followed by 1 cup Epsom salt, 1 can of Coca-Cola, 1 can of beer, which is optional, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 tbsp. Miracle-Gro.

Step 2

Blend ingredients well until the Epsom salt has dissolved. For blending the ingredients, you can use an old cooking utensil such as a spatula.

Step 3

Fill a garden feeder with the solution and attach the feeder to a hose. Begin feeding plants. Any leftover solution should be stored in a dry, cool place.

Step 4

When the solution in the feeder turns clear, pour out the excess water that is left in the feeder and refill it with the solution.

Step 5

For the granular blend: Pour 1 cup perlite, 1 cup crushed egg shells, approximately five handfuls of red wood chips, 1 cup coffee grounds and 2 tbsp. alcohol into the bucket. The alcohol is to moisten the blend. If you prefer, more alcohol can be added. Do not exceed 6 tbsp.

Step 6

Blend ingredients well with an old cooking utensil.

Step 7

Start 1 inch from the trunk of the plant and begin applying blended ingredients all around the plant as far out as branches stretch.