Category: Farm Management

Wood ash is a natural, organic fertilizer that adds essential nutrients to soil while improving its structure. It’s especially useful for acidic soils as it helps raise pH levels.

Nutrients in Wood Ash

Wood ash contains several important minerals:
✅ Calcium Carbonate (Lime) – Helps neutralize acidic soil
✅ Potassium (K) – Strengthens plant resistance & improves fruiting
✅ Phosphorus (P) – Supports root development & flowering
✅ Magnesium (Mg) – Essential for chlorophyll production
✅ Trace Minerals – Includes iron, zinc, and manganese

Benefits of Using Wood Ash in the Garden

✔️ Neutralizes Acidic Soil – Acts like lime to raise soil pH
✔️ Provides Potassium & Phosphorus – Boosts plant health
✔️ Improves Soil Structure – Enhances soil aeration & drainage
✔️ Natural Pest Repellent – Deters slugs, snails, and soft-bodied insects

How to Use Wood Ash as Fertilizer

1️⃣ Soil Amendment (Increase pH & Add Nutrients)

Sprinkle lightly (½–1 cup per square meter) on garden beds.
Mix into the soil before planting.
Avoid using on alkaline soils (pH above 7) or around acid-loving plants.

2️⃣ Compost Booster
Add in small amounts to compost piles to increase mineral content.
Do not mix with nitrogen-rich materials (manure, green leaves) as it can cause ammonia loss.

3️⃣ Pest Repellent (Against Slugs & Snails)

Sprinkle a thin layer around plants to create a barrier against pests.
Reapply after rain, as water washes it away.

4️⃣ Liquid Fertilizer (Wood Ash Tea)

Mix 1 cup of wood ash with 5 liters of water.
Let it sit for 24 hours, then use it to water plants for a potassium boost.

Important Precautions

Do not use on acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons.
Avoid mixing with fertilizers that contain ammonium (like urea) to prevent nitrogen loss.
Use in moderation – Excess wood ash can alkalize the soil too much.

Best Plants for Wood Ash Fertilizer

✅ Tomatoes
✅ Peppers
✅ Roses
✅ Garlic & Onions
✅ Fruit Trees

Eggshells are an excellent organic fertilizer because they are rich in calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which strengthens plant cell walls, prevents diseases like blossom end rot, and improves soil structure.

Benefits of Eggshell Fertilizer

✅ Rich in Calcium – Essential for plant growth, strong roots, and preventing calcium deficiencies in tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants (which develop blossom end rot).

✅ Improves Soil pH – Helps neutralize acidic soil, making it more suitable for a wider variety of plants.

✅ Enhances Soil Structure – Loosens compact soil and promotes better drainage.

✅ Boosts Microbial Activity – Beneficial microbes in the soil break down eggshells, enriching the soil with nutrients.

✅ Repels Pests – Crushed eggshells have sharp edges that can deter slugs, snails, and some crawling insects.

How to Make & Use Eggshell Fertilizer

1️⃣ Crushed Eggshell Fertilizer (Slow Release)
Rinse and dry eggshells to prevent odor.
Crush them into small pieces or powder using a mortar & pestle, blender, or rolling pin.
Sprinkle around the base of plants or mix into the soil before planting.

2️⃣ Eggshell Tea (Liquid Fertilizer for Fast Absorption)
Boil crushed eggshells in water for 5–10 minutes.
Let the mixture sit overnight.
Strain and use the nutrient-rich water to water plants.

3️⃣ Eggshell Compost
Add crushed eggshells to your compost bin to enrich compost with calcium.

Best Plants for Eggshell Fertilizer

✅ Tomatoes
✅ Peppers
✅ Eggplants
✅ Roses
✅ Leafy Greens

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a powerful oxygen booster and disinfectant that helps improve plant health, kill harmful pathogens, and promote root growth. Since it contains an extra oxygen molecule (H₂O₂ vs. H₂O), it oxygenates the soil, which is crucial for strong root development.

Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide for Plants

✅ Kills Fungal & Bacterial Infections – Helps prevent root rot, powdery mildew, and other plant diseases.
✅ Aerates the Soil – Improves oxygen levels, especially in compacted or overwatered soil.
✅ Boosts Root Growth – Promotes stronger root systems by increasing oxygen availability.
✅ Kills Pests – Deters aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats.
✅ Seed Germination – Speeds up germination by softening seed coats and killing bacteria.
✅ Cleans Hydroponic Systems – Keeps hydroponic water clean and free from algae buildup.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide on Plants

Use 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) Solution – Always dilute before applying!

1️⃣ Soil Drench (For Root Rot & Oxygen Boost)

Mix 1 tablespoon (15mL) of 3% H₂O₂ per 1 liter of water.
Water plants with this solution once a week to improve root health.

2️⃣ Foliar Spray (For Fungus & Pest Control)

Mix 1 teaspoon (5mL) of 3% H₂O₂ per 1 liter of water.
Spray on leaves to treat fungal infections and kill pests like aphids.
Apply in the morning or evening (avoid direct sun to prevent leaf burn).

3️⃣ Seed Germination Treatment

Soak seeds in 1 part 3% H₂O₂ + 2 parts water for 30 minutes before planting.
Rinse seeds with clean water and plant as usual.

4️⃣ Hydroponics & Watering System Cleaning

Use 1 teaspoon (5mL) of 3% H₂O₂ per liter of water to disinfect hydroponic systems.

Best Plants to Use Hydrogen Peroxide On

✅ Vegetables (Tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce)
✅ Houseplants (Orchids, Pothos, Snake Plants)
✅ Hydroponic & Aquaponic Plants

Pro Tips:
✔️ Always test on a small area before applying to the whole plant.
✔️ Do not overuse – Too much H₂O₂ can damage beneficial microbes in the soil.
✔️ Store in a dark bottle as hydrogen peroxide breaks down in light.