Proper fertilizer can create a lush and beautiful garden
Fertilizing your garden can create difficult decisions whether it's a flower garden or you're growing edibles. If you are eco-conscious, you may want an organic and safe alternative to commercial fertilizers. Commercial fertilizers often contain animal manure traces and harsh chemicals that release nitrates into the soil that can get into your drinking water. One alternative to this is making your own organic sugarcane fertilizer using vermicompost. Does this Spark an idea?
Sugarcane
Sugarcane is a grass-like plant that grows well in tropical climates. It requires fewer nutrients than other edible crops, and it possesses an extra absorbent root system that holds moisture in as it releases nutrients into the soil it is growing in. It is very water tolerant and can be grown in areas that experience flood. This unique ability to retain water and nutrients makes it a great addition to fertilizers for enriching soil and improving crop quality. Use a wood chipper or mulcher and shred about 10 pounds of sugarcane. Shred the entire plant for optimal benefit.
Vermicompost
Vermicompost is basically ordinary home compost like coffee grounds and other kitchen wastes. Worms and potting soil are added to this compost to create vermicompost, or worm compost. The earthworms thrive in this environment, and their waste enriches the mixture, which creates the same fertilizing abilities as manure-based fertilizer. It is also much safer to the environment than manure fertilizers. Mix 20 pounds of potting soils with about 30 pounds of kitchen compost to create a suitable base for your vermicompost. Let the mixture ferment in a compost bin for 30 to 60 days. This is best done in the winter season, when your garden is dormant. Add live earthworms to the compost about a month before the growing season begins.
Sugarcane Fertilizer
Combine your shredded sugarcane with the rest of the organic compost materials. Make sure it is thoroughly mixed throughout the vermicompost. For extra water support in dry climates that have poor soil quality, add about 4 pounds of peat moss to the compost and sugarcane. There is no need for animal manure of any kind, because the sugarcane and worm castings provide high amounts of essential nutrients and alkalinity needed for growing conditions. Till your garden about a foot beneath the surface of the ground, and cover the entire garden area with the sugarcane fertilizer. Mix it with the surface dirt, and let it sit for about three weeks before you plant your garden.
Tags: your garden, about pounds, animal manure, compost create, into soil