skins and Epsom Salt. There were some other ingredients also but I
have forgotten what they were and what the amounts were. I used to
make this when I lived in Florida. I had 9" Hibiscus blooms and
elephant ears that were huge when I used it on them. I have looked
everywhere and can't find it. I remember that everything was put in
the blender and blended. It is a wet mix. It was absolutely wonderful
and inexpensive to make.
A. I had to combine sources and come up with a suitable recipe for
you. Some gardeners adore this mix and claim great results:
Mix:
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon household ammonia
1 tablespoon Epsom salts
1 teaspoon salt
Stir well in:
1 gallon water
Add:
1 cup banana skins, pureed in a blender or food processor or minced
finely with a knife
Shake or mix very well.
Apply monthly to indoor and outdoor plants.
Here is one of the old gardeners' tales to feeding roses. Once
finished eating a banana, take the skin out and lay over the surface
of the soil so the outer part of the skin is facing up towards the
sun and the soft inside is flat along the ground. Over time with sun
and the rain, it breaks down and releases vital nutrients into the
soil, which enhances the performance of the rose, both foliage, roots
and flowers, giving natural feed to your plants. Bury them near roses
and other established shrubs. Banana skins are rich in potassium
which encourages strong, healthy growth and helps plants resist
disease. Chop them up and feed to your roses. Epsom salts are said to
be a good deterrent for slugs in the garden. This also adds magnesium
to the soil but do not be too heavy-handed, or you may get a build up
of excess salts. There is misunderstanding concerning Epsom salts
since some sulfate compounds (e.g., ammonium sulfate, aluminum
sulfate, iron sulfate) have soil-acidifying properties. However,
there are many other sulfate compounds which do not acidify soil.
Examples include calcium sulfate (gypsum), magnesium sulfate (Epsom
salt), and potassium sulfate. Magnesium is a key component of
chlorophyll, the green coloring material of plants, and is vital for
photosynthesis ( the conversion of the sun's energy to food for the
plant). Deficiencies occur mainly on sandy acid soils in high
rainfall areas, especially if used for intensive horticulture. Heavy
applications of potassium in fertilizers can also produce magnesium
deficiency. Magnesium deficiency can be overcome with dolomite lime (
a mixed magnesium-calcium carbonate), magnesite (magnesium oxide) or
Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate).
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 ounces
Essential Oils Needed: Peppermint, Rosemary
Other Ingredients / Materials: Garlic cloves, water, cayenne powder,
liquid dishwashing detergent (biodegradable), spray bottle
Directions:
Place 5 garlic cloves, 1 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
into a blender and mix.
Strain through a fine strainer or coffee filter.
Stir in 1/4 teaspoon peppermint and 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing
detergent.
Pour solution into spray bottle and use on vegetables and flowers.
Any tips for growing veggies in rocky/clayish soil? I always joke and say we grow rocks.
BB,tina
Throw aways like old pantyhose can be used to tie tall flowers, or climbing vines
(or veggies) to stakes or trellises. Newspapers can be used to eliminate the
worst gardening task of all ~ weeding. Place 6 layers of newspaper on the ground
between plants and cover with a thin layer of dirt or shredded bark. The papers
will rot by the end of season providing compost and no weeds will survive.
Dig coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells into the ground
around Roses, Azaleas, and rhododendrons to acidify the soil.
Instead of using harmful pesticides, try cultivating natural predators such as Praying Mantis, Ladybugs, and Green Lacewings .
* I got these Gardening tips from Flower Gardens magizine.
I will have to try this recipe. I have been looking for unique and healthy(for my plants)ways to feed. Thanks guys!
Ahandful of wormwood, a handfull of roesemary, left soaking in a 1/2 gallon of water for a few days, strain out the herbs, pour liquid in a spray bottle, spray plants. This repels most garden pests. I use it on the animals too!
