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Gardeners harbor a strong dislike for weeds, and it's entirely justified. Weeds not only vie with your beautiful plants for vital nutrients but also mar the aesthetics of your flower beds, among other reasons. Ready to exact revenge on these pesky intruders in your garden? What could be more satisfying than transforming them into cost-free, organic fertilizer for your garden? In this guide, discover four simple methods to convert weeds into nutrient-rich fertilizer.
1. Turn weeds into weed tea organic fertilizer
Were you aware that you can craft an excellent organic fertilizer using the weeds from your garden? Weed tea is a simple, DIY solution that repurposes those bothersome weeds effectively. Apply this uncomplicated organic fertilizer to any plant in your garden, providing them with essential nutrients without the need to consistently purchase commercial inorganic alternatives. Just combine weeds with water in a large bucket, cover it, and allow it to sit for approximately four weeks, stirring weekly. Use around 8 cups of water per pound of weeds. Once the weed tea is ready, strain out the plant material using a sieve, which will catch the seeds for disposal. What remains is a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. Dilute one part of weed tea fertilizer with ten parts of water and apply this mixture at the base of each plant for an instant nutrient boost. Alternatively, use it as a foliar fertilizer by spraying the solution onto your plant leaves.
2. Chop and drop weeds around fruit trees
Easily incorporate weeds into your gardening routine by chopping them and dropping them around your fruit trees. Alternatively, uproot the weeds and let them decompose, but for optimal results, consider chopping them into smaller pieces, especially if they have a woody texture, to expedite the decomposition process. This "chop and drop" approach transforms the green waste into a beneficial mulch, enriching the soil with nutrients, suppressing weed growth, and aiding in moisture retention by reducing evaporation.
3. Compost weeds in a compost pile for organic fertilizer
Transforming weeds into fertilizer is easily achievable through a compost pile, and it doesn't have to be elaborate. Your compost pile can be as simple as a collection of garden waste, including dried leaves, stems, and old plants. However, ensure not to include sick or diseased plants. Integrate freshly cut weeds into the compost pile to provide a rich green nitrogen source. Alternatively, combine dried and freshly cut weeds into a large compost pile, accelerating the decomposition process. For efficiency, consider chopping the weeds. Note: Refrain from including weeds with abundant seeds, as these seeds can persist in the compost and transfer to the garden.
4. Use chickens to compost weed
This method is incredibly simple and direct. When you raise chickens, ordinary yard weeds become wholesome and cost-free treats for them. Chickens have a fondness for weeds, as do ducks. Simply provide your chickens with nourishing weeds like dandelions, and they will produce nutrient-rich manure that can be later added to your compost pile or diluted into liquid fertilizer. As an additional benefit, most backyard weeds are exceptionally nutritious, containing a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that prove beneficial for your chickens. What an excellent way to reduce reliance on commercial chicken feed while obtaining valuable fertilizer simultaneously – a true two-in-one solution!
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