How to Make Organic Fertilizer Liquid

 

 

Liquid organic fertilizer is remarkably easy to make, and incredibly beneficial for your plants.Often referred to as “manure tea,” I find that it’s easier to use than solid manure products because it’s fed directly to the plant by watering with it. No spreading of material is needed for this method of fertilizing, and you don’t have to work it into the soil.

Things You'll Need

• Large empty trash can or barrel
• Garden hose
• Old pillow case that you don't need anymore
• 3-4 gallons cow manure, well rotted
• 1-gallon contailer
• Bottle of plain Ivory Dish Liquid
• 4 Cups of Epsom salts
• 5-gallon bucket
• Garden Spade
• Package of Herbal Cinnamon-Apple Tea (optional)

Instructions

1. Pick Your Poop

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     Well-cured cow manure can be obtained in a couple of different ways. You can purchase it by the bag at any garden supply center, hardware store, or home improvement center.
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     You can grab your trusty garden spade and a 5-gallon bucket, and head over to the residence of any cow, bull or steer that you are acquainted with. If you have not yet been formally introduced to the animal(s) you are considering, just knock on the front door of the nearest human residence, as this will probably be the home of the bovine’s owner. If you ask the owner politely, he or she will most likely be more than happy to allow you to head out into the back 40 and help yourself to all the cow poop you want.
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     If there are also horses in the pasture, make sure that you are not picking up their poop. There’s nothing wrong with it, and it’s also a beneficial fertilizer -- but doesn’t even run a close second to Bossy’s droppings.(For the uninitiated, cow plops are loose and kind of runny. Horse poops form solid, rounded balls a little bigger than a golf ball.)
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     Look for cow plops that have already dried and may even be really firm to the touch (yes, touch -- so wear gloves). If it’s fresh and wet, it will produce a solution that is much too strong and which will probably “burn” your plants.That’s why it’s important to use manure that is “well-cured,” or “aged.”

   Brew Your Poo

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     Begin by deciding where to place your trash can full of developing fertilizer, because it will need to spend several days in the spot that you choose.Although it doesn’t really matter whether you place the container in the shade or in a sunny locale, you might want to put it where it’s not going to be in your way.Once situated, fill the trash can with water to within about 6 inches from the top.
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     Now take that old pillow case that you hate, but that you didn’t really want to throw away, and dump 3-4 gallons of the cow manure into it.You don’t have to be scientifically precise here -- “sorta-kinda” will work. But if you’re questioning what “3-4 gallons” of manure looks like, just use any old 1-gallon container to help you approximate the measurement.Tie a loose knot in the pillow case close to the packaged poo -- yes, containing it like a sort of teabag.
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     Toss your bag of manure into the trash can full of water. Now let it “steep” for 3-4 days.(Don't cover the trash can because the fermenting of the manure will create lots of gases.)
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     When the time is “ripe” (pun intended), remove the bag of manure from the can of water. (Don’t discard the manure, though -- scatter it thinly throughout any area that you think might benefit from it. Or just toss it into the compost heap.)Now dump into the poopy water ½ cup of plain Ivory dish liquid and 4 cups of Epsom Salt. Stir the solution well -- your garden spade will serve nicely for this activity.

   Pour Your Poop

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     Dip several gallons of this solution into a 5-gallon bucket, and dilute it with water until it’s the color of weak tea.
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     Generally speaking, you can feed your shrubs with 1-2 pints of this diluted mixture for a small plant, and about 1-2 quarts for a large plant.
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     This stuff is great for your vegetable plants like, too. Again generally speaking, use about 2 pints for medium size plants, and about a pint each per small plant.
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     If you’re truly concerned about the proper amount of organic liquid fertilizer to use, just consult seed packets, gardening books or online sites to determine each plant’s requirements.
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     While your plants are savoring their organic fertilizer liquid tea, why not reward yourself for a job well done by brewing up a nice, relaxing cup of herbal cinnamon-apple tea?

 

Posted in: Gardening Basics