Organic Liquid Fertilizer

How to Make Organic Liquid Fertilizer from Expired Food

Many people ask me why my vegetables grow so lush and healthy, with vibrant green leaves and an abundant harvest. Today, I am revealing my secret! The key lies in two main factors: using homemade compost soil and applying organic liquid fertilizer every ten days.

Previously, I shared two composting methods—vermicomposting and EM bacteria composting. Now, let’s dive into making organic liquid fertilizer from expired food. This eco-friendly method helps reduce waste while providing nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants.

Tools You’ll Need

- Empty plastic bottles (various sizes)
- Funnel

Essential Ingredients

- **Brown sugar or molasses** (affordable options from grocery store sales, around $2-3 per pound)
- **Citrus peels** (fresh or dried orange, grapefruit, or lemon peels for a pleasant scent)

Expired Food Materials for Fertilizer

You can use any of the following expired food items:

1. Powdered Foods

- Expired flour (wheat flour, corn flour, rice flour, sesame powder, soybean powder, milk powder, etc.)

2. Whole Grains & Legumes

- Expired grains (rice, black rice, quinoa, oats)
- Expired beans (soybeans, black beans, mung beans, etc.)
  - *Tip:* Soak and cook these before using to speed up decomposition.

3. Cooked Carbohydrates

- Leftover plain rice, bread, steamed buns (even if moldy)
- Soybean pulp from homemade soy milk

4. Low-Oil Processed Foods

- Expired biscuits, cakes, candy (as long as they have low oil content)

How to Make the Fertilizer

Mixing Ratios (by Volume)

- 1 part brown sugar
- 3 parts expired food (plus a bit of citrus peel for fragrance)
- 10 parts water

Steps:

1. Add all ingredients into the bottle using a funnel.
2. Loosely cover the bottle cap to allow gases to escape.
3. Store in a warm place and let it ferment.

How Long Before It’s Ready to Use?

- If using powdered food, fermentation takes **2 to 4 weeks**.
- Warmer temperatures speed up the process.
- A finished batch should have a mild citrus and alcohol scent, indicating proper fermentation.

How to Apply the Fertilizer

- Dilute with water at a **1:100 ratio**.
- Pour it around the edge of the plant’s soil, avoiding direct contact with the roots to prevent root burn.

Expected Results

After applying this organic liquid fertilizer, you should notice **visible plant growth within a week**. Leaves will become greener, and plants will thrive faster.
This natural and cost-effective method enhances plant health while reducing food waste. Try it out and enjoy lush, thriving plants!

I hope this guide helps! Happy gardening! 🌿🌱🌼