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If you want lush healthy houseplants and garden growing but are n’t thrilled about paying for costly commercial-grade food with ingredient you ca n’t pronounce , you ’re in luck ! you could easily make your own industrial plant solid food at home for a fraction of the toll and — this is the best part — you’ll know exactly what goes into it .
All it ingest to keep your favorite works species full-bodied and beautiful are three common constituent that you ’ll find at any supermarket for around $ 8 total , if you do n’t already have them on hired man . Because this recipe requires such minor amount and the component last for months , your cost will literally be pennies per batch .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
You may be surprised to learn that the abide by product possess the properties and nutrients plant life need to boom :
How to Make Plant Food
Tools & Materials
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Step 1: Measure 1½ tablespoons of Epsom salt into a clean, 1-gallon jug.
A rinsed - out charge card milk jug with its lid makes a swell container for this homemade plant food .
Step 2: Add 1½ teaspoons of baking soda to the jug.
Step 3: Measure a scant ½ teaspoon of household ammonia into the jug.
Scantmeans slightly less than the full ½ teaspoonful . Do n’t exaggerate it with the ammonia water — a lilliputian goes a long way !
Step 4: Fill the rest of the jug with plain tap water, screw the lid on tightly, and shake well to combine.
Step 5: Let sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the Epsom salt to completely dissolve.
Label the container and store it in a cool ironical smear where kids and pets ca n’t get to it .
Tips for UsingHomemade Plant Food
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you fix up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raised bed , or an in - ground plot of land out back — and select the correct plants for your soil and region .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
