Vinegar Extraction
Vinegar extraction is a great way to recycle eggshells while providing your plants with essential nutrients like calcium. This natural remedy strengthens plant cell walls, helping them resist pests and diseases.
Ingredients:
- 8 eggshells (we’re practicing a plant-based diet so we got the eggshells from our neighbor)
- 500ml organic apple cider vinegar
- 1 glass jar
Instructions:
- Clean and dry the eggshells, then crush them into small pieces.
- Place the crushed eggshells in a glass jar and pour in the apple cider vinegar. The vinegar will react with the eggshells, creating a fizz as it extracts calcium.
- Cover the jar and let it sit for a week.
- After a week, strain the mixture and label the container.
To use, dilute the solution at a ratio of 1:500 to 1:1000 with rainwater or filtered water. This translates to about one tablespoon of the solution in 4 gallons (15 liters) of water. This diluted mixture can be applied directly to your soil or as a foliar spray, giving your plants a calcium boost.
JADAM Microorganism Solution (JMS)
JADAM Microorganism Solution (JMS) is a powerful, cost-effective way to introduce beneficial microorganisms into your soil. These microorganisms break down organic matter, releasing nutrients that are easily absorbed by your plants.
Ingredients:
- 5 gallons of water
- 1 or 2 scoops of leaf mold
- 1 boiled potato
- A few rocks
- 1 tablespoon of sea salt
- 1 paint strainer or an old pair of socks
Instructions:
- Find an area with high vegetation where you can collect leaf mold. Ideally, look for spots where you see mycelium (white, fluffy stuff) on the ground.
- Collect the well-decomposed layer of leaves, rich in organic material.
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket with water and mix in the sea salt.
- Add the rocks, boiled potato, and leaf mold to your paint strainer or sock, and knead the bag in the water for a few minutes to release the microorganisms.
- Suspend the bag in the water, cover, and let it sit for 2-3 days. The solution is ready when you see foam on the surface, indicating active biology.
- Dilute the JMS at a ratio of 1:50 with unchlorinated water and use it as a soil drench or spray over your plants.
Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)
Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) is a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer made from plant material and organic brown sugar. This potent juice is full of enzymes, beneficial microbes, and growth hormones that can invigorate your plants.
Ingredients:
Fresh plant material (collected early in the morning when it’s full of dew)
Organic brown sugar
A scale
A glass jar
A strainer
Instructions:
1. Collect your plant material in the early morning, when it’s at its most potent.
2. Weigh the plant material, chop it finely, and mix it with an equal amount of organic brown sugar. The sugar will draw out the juices, creating a rich, syrupy mixture.
3. Pack the mixture tightly into a glass jar, leaving some space at the top. Cover with more brown sugar and seal with a breathable cover.
4. Let the mixture ferment for 7 days, then strain it gently without pressing. Save the solids for making vinegar later.
5. To use, dilute the FPJ at a ratio of 1:1000 with rainwater or filtered water (1 tablespoon per 15 liters) and water your plants with this nutrient-rich solution.
These three natural soil boosters—Vinegar Extraction, JMS, and FPJ—are not only easy to make but also highly effective in enriching your garden soil. By using local resources and working with nature, you can nurture a thriving, sustainable garden while reducing waste. Give these recipes a try and watch your garden flourish!
Happy gardening!
