This recipe for Homemade Miracle Grow for Your Garden contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will make a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you.
Thanks to this homemade miracle grow recipe, my garden this year can only be described as delightful.
I have never used that word to describe anything before but it really is the perfect way to describe my garden.
If you google the word, the definition pops up as de·light·ful-causing delight; charming.
“a delightful secluded garden”
It’s even more perfect than I knew, although I am still working on the secluded part. Thankfully as things in my garden grow taller, my neighbors are becoming less visible.
- The Benefits of Using Homemade Miracle Grow
- How to Make Homemade Miracle Grow
- Does this Homemade Miracle Grow Recipe Keep Mosquitos Away?
- What Will Keep Mosquitoes Out of the Garden?
- What Else Can Help Encourage Blooms?
- What Nutrients Do Most Gardens Lack?
- How to Naturally Add Magnesium to Your Garden
- How to Naturally Add Nitrogen to a Garden
- How to Naturally Add Potassium to Garden Soil
- Looking for more Garden Tips?
The Benefits of Using Homemade Miracle Grow
Here in Iowa, our gardening season is much shorter than I would like so I use this homemade miracle grow to make the most of the gardening season.
I have been pretty lucky this year because I have a ton of colorful flowers that are bursting with new blooms daily and I can credit those colorful, full plants to this Homemade Miracle Grow Recipe.
All of my fruit and vegetable plants are looking super healthy and already starting to produce delicious homegrown food.
How to Make Homemade Miracle Grow
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 tbsp Epsom salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
Mix these ingredients and pour them onto plants as you would normally use Miracle Grow, for me and my garden, this is about every 7-14 days.
This is the recommended amount of use for traditional miracle grow that you can buy at the store so I apply the same guidelines that I have read on the box.
I would also recommend keeping an eye on your plants and noticing differences, this is a great way to determine which plants may need more care than others.
You may want to pick up a soil tester to find out what nutrients your soil may be lacking. For tips on how to add the nutrients that your soil is lacking, scroll through this post for information on adding magnesium, nitrogen, and more, naturally.
Does this Homemade Miracle Grow Recipe Keep Mosquitos Away?
No. This homemade miracle grow does not keep mosquitoes away but luckily I have found some other ways to keep those pesky bugs away.
I can only stand them for a few minutes without needing to slather myself in that poisonous bug spray. You know, the kind that so many people are trying to avoid these days.
I get why some people are against it, it is not without its own dangers but I will spray poison on myself to avoid torture anytime.
I am all for using natural and homemade stuff for my family when it works but in this case, a spritz of vanilla or essential oils, will not keep the mosquitoes away from me.
What Will Keep Mosquitoes Out of the Garden?
There are several natural ways to keep mosquitoes out of the garden. Here are some suggestions:
Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so be sure to eliminate any standing water sources in your garden, such as bird baths, buckets, or rain barrels.
Use Mosquito-Repelling Plants
Certain plants, such as citronella, catnip, lavender, and marigolds, contain natural mosquito-repelling properties. Planting these in your garden can help to keep mosquitoes away.
Encourage Mosquito Predators
Mosquitoes have natural predators such as dragonflies, bats, and birds. Attracting these animals to your garden can help to control the mosquito population.
Use Natural Mosquito Repellents
There are several natural mosquito repellents that you can use in your garden, such as neem oil, garlic spray, and lemon eucalyptus oil.
Maintain Your Garden
Keeping your garden well-maintained, including mowing the grass regularly, trimming bushes and trees, and removing any debris, can help to reduce the areas where mosquitoes can hide and breed.
Check out this list of mosquito-repelling plants. These plants will significantly improve your garden experience as they naturally deter those pesky bugs and it’s an easy homemade type of way to keep them at bay.
Although I haven’t been able to replace everything in my home with homemade things, I try to go organic when it makes sense, use fewer chemicals when possible, and create my own homemade versions of things I would usually buy.
This way I can see what goes into the product and in this case, I like knowing the ingredients that make up my homemade miracle grow since it goes into my plants, of course, I want the best.
What Else Can Help Encourage Blooms?
There are many different household items that can help encourage blooms in the garden and improve your soil.
Using a composter is always a good way to reduce waste while churning out high-quality soil that will help your plants thrive.
I also have been known to add eggshells, coffee grinds, banana peels, and fish to my plants.
Some people add ammonia to their homemade miracle grow recipes but I have read conflicting reports on the effectiveness and have even read in some articles that it has been reported to have killed plants, I just don’t want to take the chance.
For now, I will stick with this Homemade Miracle Grow Recipe and continue to watch my garden in delight.
What Nutrients Do Most Gardens Lack?
The nutrients that most gardens lack can vary depending on several factors such as the type of soil, the plants being grown, and the location of the garden.
However, there are a few key nutrients that are commonly deficient in garden soil.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and it is often the most deficient in garden soil. Plants use nitrogen to produce chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis. Signs of nitrogen deficiency include yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and reduced yields.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is also essential for plant growth, especially for root development and flower and fruit production. Signs of phosphorus deficiency include weak and stunted growth, delayed maturity, and reduced yields.
Potassium
Potassium is important for plant growth and helps plants to resist disease and stress. Signs of potassium deficiency include yellowing leaves with brown edges, weak stems, and reduced yields.
Calcium
Calcium is essential for plant growth and helps to strengthen cell walls and regulate nutrient uptake. Signs of calcium deficiency include stunted growth, leaf tip burn, and blossom end rot in fruits.
Magnesium
Magnesium is important for chlorophyll production and photosynthesis. Signs of magnesium deficiency include yellowing between veins of older leaves, and reduced growth.
To ensure that your garden has adequate nutrients, it is important to test the soil periodically and amend it as needed with organic fertilizers or soil amendments.
How to Naturally Add Magnesium to Your Garden
There are several ways to add magnesium to your garden naturally:
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a great source of magnesium, and it is easily absorbed by plants. You can add Epsom salt directly to the soil around your plants, or dissolve it in water and apply it as a foliar spray.
Compost
Composting organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps is an excellent way to add magnesium to your garden over time. As the organic matter decomposes, it releases nutrients including magnesium into the soil.
Manure
Adding animal manure to your garden can also be an effective way to add magnesium, as well as other nutrients, to the soil. However, it’s important to use well-aged manure to avoid burning your plants.
Rock dust
Rock dust is a natural source of minerals including magnesium, and it can be added to the soil to improve its fertility. You can find rock dust at most garden centers.
Mulch
Using mulch in your garden can help to improve the soil’s nutrient content, including magnesium. Organic mulches such as straw, leaves, and grass clippings break down over time and release nutrients into the soil.
It’s important to keep in mind that adding too much magnesium to your soil can lead to imbalances with other nutrients. It’s always a good idea to test your soil periodically to ensure that you are providing the right balance of nutrients for your plants.
How to Naturally Add Nitrogen to a Garden
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and is a key component of chlorophyll, the molecule that allows plants to carry out photosynthesis. Here are some ways to naturally add nitrogen to your garden:
Composting
Composting is a natural way to add nitrogen to your garden soil. Nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells can be added to your compost pile to increase its nitrogen content. The compost can then be used to fertilize your garden soil.
Cover Crops
Planting cover crops like legumes can help add nitrogen to the soil. Legumes have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that plants can use. When the cover crop is turned under, nitrogen is released into the soil.
Animal Manure
Animal manure, such as chicken or cow manure, is an excellent source of nitrogen. It can be added directly to your garden soil or added to your compost pile.
Green Manure
Green manure is a term used for plants that are grown specifically to be turned into the soil to add organic matter and nutrients. Examples of green manure crops include clover, alfalfa, and vetch.
Mulching
Mulching with organic materials such as grass clippings, leaves, and straw can help add nitrogen to the soil over time as the organic matter breaks down.
It’s important to note that adding too much nitrogen to your garden soil can lead to nutrient imbalances and other issues, so it’s important to monitor your soil and make sure you’re not over-fertilizing.
How to Naturally Add Potassium to Garden Soil
Potassium is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and it helps plants to develop strong stems and roots, resist diseases, and produce high-quality fruit and vegetables.
Here are some natural ways to add potassium to your garden soil:
Wood Ash
Wood ash is a good source of potassium and other trace minerals.
However, it’s important to use only hardwood ash and not ash from treated or painted wood, as these can contain harmful chemicals.
Sprinkle a thin layer of wood ash around your plants, and work it into the soil.
Banana Peels
Banana peels are a good source of potassium, as well as other nutrients like calcium and magnesium. You can bury banana peels in the soil around your plants, or chop them up and add them to your compost pile.
Seaweed
Seaweed is rich in potassium, as well as other trace minerals like magnesium and calcium. You can collect seaweed from the beach and rinse it off before adding it to your garden soil or compost pile.
If you don’t live near the ocean, you can also buy dried seaweed or liquid seaweed extract.
Kelp Meal
Kelp meal is a dried and ground seaweed that is rich in potassium and other trace minerals. You can add it directly to your garden soil or mix it into your compost pile.
Greensand
Greensand is a natural mineral that contains potassium, as well as other trace minerals like iron and magnesium. You can add greensand to your garden soil or mix it into your compost pile.
It’s important to remember that adding too much potassium to your soil can also lead to imbalances and other issues, so it’s important to monitor your soil and make sure you’re not over-fertilizing.
Looking for more Garden Tips?
Tips for Growing Peppers in a Garden Bed
Beginner’s Guide for Growing Mushrooms Indoors
How to Care for Boston Ferns Indoors & Out
How to Build a Retaining Wall the Right Way
Air Plants vs Succulents Care Guide
Crafty Ways to Repurpose Old Dishes In the Garden
Check out my Whimsical Garden Tour and see why I am enjoying this delightful garden so much.
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About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.
Kathy Mitchell
Wednesday 11th of May 2022
Your recipe doesn't have amonia like others do. Reason for that? I'll try this today because I don't have amonia on hand.
Melissa
Wednesday 18th of May 2022
There really is no reason other than that this is the recipe I have used for quite some time. I never thought to add ammonia and it may just be as simple as I didn't have it on hand. :) Thanks for stopping by, commenting, and trying the recipe.
Helga
Wednesday 5th of January 2022
This is so simple I have to try it on my plants. Much less expensive too!
Antoinette M
Saturday 9th of June 2018
I am definitely trying this. Thanks!
Dana Rodriguez
Saturday 9th of June 2018
I love this idea! I had no idea how to make my own. Thanks!
Pedro De Pacas
Wednesday 30th of May 2018
esos mosquitos son imbéciles!