I recently stumbled upon a cool, eco-friendly, low-cost gardening hack that has truly transformed the way I look at my garden. I picked it up from the JADAM book and found a different take on it by Nigel Palmer. Both versions have been equally enlightening. This simple yet powerful extraction technique is referred to as WCA (water-soluble calcium), and it’s an absolute game changer.
Vinegar and Eggshells – The Magic Potion
So, it turns out your kitchen holds some powerful secret ingredients that’ll make your plants go “wow”. The humble organic apple cider vinegar, eggshells, bones, or even sea shells you have lying around can be turned into a potent plant booster. When mixed together, these ingredients extract calcium and other minerals that are perfect for your garden.
I sourced eggshells from my neighbors, as they have a couple of chickens in the garden.
The best part? The minerals are in a form that your plants can absorb and use immediately, without any additional processing required. Imagine it like a ready-to-use, plant-friendly multivitamin.
The Power of Vinegar Extraction
Now, I bet you’re thinking, “Vinegar? Isn’t that going to kill my plants?” Well, not exactly. While it’s true that vinegar is known for its acetic nature and can be a potent weed killer, it’s all about how you use it. When extracted and diluted properly, vinegar actually turns into a gentle yet effective fertilizer for your plants.
How to Make DIY Vinegar Extraction
- Crush the 8 eggshells and bake them for 1 hour (150°C/300°F)
- Add to a jar
- Add organic apple cider vinegar
- Add a breathable cover on top and strain in 1 week before using
Alright, here’s the important part: getting the dilution right. For every 15 liters (4 gallons) of water, add either 1 or 2 tablespoons of the vinegar extraction. That corresponds to a dilution ratio of 1:500 or 1:1000.
Benefits of this Gardening Hack
Besides the obvious cost-effectiveness (no more expensive store-bought fertilizers!), there are a whole bunch of advantages to this DIY vinegar extraction. The concoction provides essential nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium to your plants. This not only promotes healthier growth but also results in robust blossoms. It’s like giving your plants a supercharged energy drink!
And don’t worry about harming the good microbes while watering your garden. As long as you stick to rainwater or filtered water, the beneficial microbial activity remains intact. I’ve been using this mostly as a foliar spray and it’s been a great solution for issues like blossom end rot on tomatoes, or for a quick absorption of minerals!
This vinegar extraction technique is a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to supercharge your plants. Give it a try, and let me know how it goes. I can’t wait to hear about your lush, vibrant garden!
Happy growing!
