The fact is that your plants will wither and may die if they lack the proper nutrients. Plants use the nutrients in the soil, and when they do, that means that over time the soil’s nutrients will need to be replenished. Store-bought food may be expensive and contain filler ingredients or chemicals that may not be best for your plants. Thankfully, there is a better solution out there—and it won’t cost much at all.
Homemade or DIY plant food in San Francisco, CA is often a cost-effective and better overall solution. It’s an easy way to feed your plants what they need while staying in your budget. Read on to find out more about the benefits of making your own plant food.
Plant nutrient deficiencies
Plants may demonstrate their nutrient deficiencies in a variety of ways. For example, yellow or pale greens indicate stunted growth and a nitrogen deficiency. In this case, adding coffee grounds to the plant’s soil can be an effective solution.
For plants with darkening leaves or absent flowers, a phosphorus deficiency may be the root of the problem. For this issue, you can add bone meal directly to the soil. Used fish tank water—so long as it’s not saltwater—may also help and is a good source of nitrogen, too.
Leaves that have brown or yellow spots indicate a potassium deficiency. To resolve this problem, simply bury banana peels in the soil. These will slowly rot and provide the potassium your plant needs.
Creating your own homemade plant food
An easy recipe to make your own plant food in San Francisco, CA includes the following simple ingredients:
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of ammonia
Put all the ingredients into a container, such as a plastic milk jug. Let the combination of ingredients sit for about half an hour. This will provide the ingredients with enough time to dissolve. Then add the plant food into the soil so the plant’s roots will absorb all the necessary nutrients. You can start by doing this one month, then adjust based on how the plants respond. You’ll want to make sure to keep the plant food in a safe space away from young children and pets.
We hope you found this guide on how to make your own plant food in San Francisco, CA helpful. For more than 75 years, The Delicate Daisy – House of Flowers has served the region and become a premier destination for flower arrangements and all things related to gardens.
When you visit The Delicate Daisy – House of Flowers, you are choosing a locally owned establishment that cares about quality flowers. We source our flowers from the flower market and select new ones three times a week. By choosing handpicked flowers in San Francisco, CA, we ensure that they are always fresh and fragrant. Give us a call or stop by today to check out our selection—we look forward to seeing you!