​Eco-friendly Soil Amendments Straight From the Kitchen

Most of us will be prepping our soil for spring planting soon. There are lots of ways to improve soil quality and health other than just using compost and conventional fertilizers. Here's a list of items you may already have around your home.


Coffee Grounds

• Brewed coffee grounds are slightly acidic, but un-brewed grounds contain more acid. Too much nitrogen can actually stunt seedling growth though, so only use where nitrogen is needed or for acid loving plants.
• Quick plant liquid fertilizer: 1 part cold coffee, 3 parts water. Drench the soil.
• Blueberries, carrots and radishes love coffee. 

Epsom salt

• Epsom salts are great for emerging seedlings! They contain magnesium which boosts germination by offering extra energy and strengthening plant cells.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts for every gallon of water and drench the soil after seeding.
• Great for roses, tomatoes, and peppers.

Egg shells

• Egg shells moderate soil acidity and offer a source of calcium.
• Crumbled shells can be placed in the bottom of holes dug in the soil before transplants. They can also go in compost or be used to make eggshell tea.
• Nightshade plants love egg shells (tomato, pepper, eggplant) as well as broccoli, Swiss chard, spinach and other greens.

Leftover Wine or Beer

• Includes nitrogen and yeast (more than regular water), which will speed up the breakdown of items.
• Add leftover wine or beer to compost to moisten the compost!

Banana peels

• Rich in calcium (helps plants break down nutrients for ingestion), phosphorus (healthy roots and shoots), magnesium (helps photosynthesis) and potassium (creates strong stems).
• Dehydrate peels, grind into powder and work into soil. You can also brew banana peel tea (boil peels and steep in the refrigerator for one week before use). Peels can be tossed right into the compost heap as well.
• Banana peels contain no nitrogen so are a good general purpose fertilizer.

Coconut Water

• Full of electrolytes, magnesium, calcium and other trace minerals. When used regularly, plants grow faster and are stronger. It also contains cytokinin hormones which trigger the division of cells into growing shoots and roots, resulting in bushier growth. 
• Apply directly to soil.
• A good all purpose fertilizer.

White Vinegar

• Great for raising soil acidity.
• Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1 gallon of water. Pour on the soil where acidity is needed.

Blackstrap Molasses

• Molasses is full of calcium, magnesium, and potassium which encourages plants and garden-friendly microorganisms.
• Dilute .5 cups of molasses in a gallon of water. Pour the solution in a spray bottle and spritz on the soil. If crops are flowering, spritz along the roots to boost yield.

Sourdough Starter

• Sourdough starter is great for compost! The good bacteria adds so much nutrients to soil.
• Just dump any discard right onto the compost heap!