If you are an avid gardener, or even not so avid, you probably have your own type of fertilizer that you prefer to use and probably something that it has in common with mine is that it is expensive.  It is almost alarming at how expensive a fertilizer can be. Sure, we all want big and beautiful blooms but does it have to be so expensive to create those blooms.  The answer, of course, is no, it doesn’t need to be that expensive.

Instead, you can make a number of fertilizers using everyday items that you find at home.  Not only is it more inexpensive, reusing, and recycling the materials around your home is a great way to be a “green” gardener.

Tip #1:  It’s all in the grounds

The first time I heard this being suggested, I was a little surprised.  After all, doesn’t coffee stunt growth, I mean, that is what happened to me.  Fortunately for my plants, coffee works as a great fertilizer for gardens and instead of throwing your leftover coffee away, why not save it for your garden.  With this fertilizer, you actually don’t use the grounds but you use the coffee that is brewed from the grounds.  Once you have a pot of coffee, add it with another 4 pots of water for a 1:4 ratio.  This will give you your fertilizer and you can use it on your plants every other week to see some pretty amazing results.

Tip #2: Apples aren’t just used to keep the doctor away

Okay, maybe it’s not apples exactly but using a homemade fertilizer that has 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one gallon of water, can add a definite boost to your plants.  This fertilizer is great for house plants and it does an amazing job at boosting those green leaves.

Tip #3: Keep your fish tanks clean

This may seem like a strange tip but if you have a fish tank, your dirty fish tank water works as an excellent fertilizer since it is chalked full of nitrogen, which plants need in their soil.

Tip #4: A little Epsom for you and me

I love having baths and nothing is as nice as a bath with Epsom salts.  It can clean those pours and relax those muscles after you have spent a day out in the garden digging up that new flower bed.  What is even better, a mixture of 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt and 1 gallon of water can really help your tomato plants and other plants that require a higher level of magnesium to thrive.

Tip #5: Get cracking

The last tip that I am going to recommend as a homemade fertilizer is egg shells.  Whenever you make some eggs, save the shells until you have a fair amount. At that point, simply crumble them and then sprinkle them in the soil around your plants.  This provides your soil with much needed calcium carbonate.

And there are a few tips to get you on your way to not only saving a few nickles and dimes but also towards being an organic gardener.

Sirena Van Schaik

photo credit: © Fallsview | Dreamstime.com

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The beauty of evergreens lie in their name – they add year-round colour and life to gardens and yards.

The beauty of evergreens lie in their name – they add year-round colour and life to gardens and yards. Narrow leaf evergreen shrubs, such as cedar and spruce are most commonly known, but this group also includes broadleaf evergreens including rhododendrons, camellias and laurels. Although these trees and shrubs are a low-maintenance addition to yards and gardens, they do require a little extra attention to keep them healthy throughout the winter.

As the temperatures begin to fall, continue to water evergreens as often as once a week, as long as the air temperature is above freezing. This is especially important for recently planted or transplanted trees and shrubs. Remember to stop watering once the temperature dips below freezing as ice formation can damage evergreens.

Fall is also good time to feed your large evergreens. Spruce, yew, hemlock and juniper need nutrients at their roots, making fertilizer spikes such as Miracle-Gro Evergreen Fertilizer Spikes 12-10-10 a good choice. For broadleaf evergreens like rhododendrons, use something like Miracle-Gro Evergreen Tree and Shrub Food, which is specially formulated for these acid-loving shrubs.

Evergreens are susceptible to moisture loss from the drying effects of winter winds. Protect them from wind damage by erecting a screen made of burlap, shade cloth or similar material stapled to wooden stakes. Sprays such as anti-desiccants or anti-transpirants can also help prevent winter moisture loss. These sprays, which can be used on both broad and narrow leaf evergreens, coat leaves with a clear film that does not interfere with plant growth, photosynthesis or other natural processes. These products are available at your local nursery or garden centers and should be applied when the temperature is above freezing.

For information from a Scotts Garden Expert call 1-866-436-8477 or visit www.Scotts.ca.

- News Canada

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