🪴 Intro: The Secret to Fertile Soil is Already in Your Kitchen
Before you spend RM15 on a bag of commercial fertilizer, check your kitchen bin. That banana peel? The eggshells? Even your leftover ikan bilis wash water — all of them can become powerful, organic plant food.
In this Malaysia-style beginner guide, we’ll teach you how to make DIY homemade fertilizer using common household waste. It’s cheaper, safer, and your pokok will absolutely love it.
💡 Why Make Your Own Fertilizer?
- ✅ Save money (zero cost if done right!)
- ✅ Reduce kitchen and garden waste
- ✅ Avoid chemicals in your edible plants
- ✅ Enrich soil naturally over time
🔄 Top 7 Homemade Fertilizers You Can Try in Malaysia
1. 🍌 Banana Peel Tea
- What it’s good for: Flowering & fruiting plants (rich in potassium & phosphorus)
- How to make:
- Chop 2 banana peels
- Soak in 1L water overnight
- Strain & water your plants every 1–2 weeks
2. 🥚 Crushed Eggshells
- What it’s good for: Tomatoes, chillies, eggplants (adds calcium)
- How to use:
- Air-dry & crush into powder
- Sprinkle at base of plants or mix into soil
- Optional: blend with water and let sit overnight
3. 🐟 Fish Amino Acid (FAA)
- What it’s good for: Leafy greens, fruit trees (rich in nitrogen)
- How to make:
- Mix 1:1 chopped raw fish + molasses or brown sugar
- Seal in container and ferment for 2 weeks
- Dilute 1:500 with water before use
⚠️ Warning: Very smelly — store outdoors!
4. ☕ Used Coffee Grounds
- What it’s good for: Acid-loving plants (e.g. roses, chillies, blueberries)
- How to use:
- Sprinkle a thin layer on soil
- Mix into compost
- Avoid using in excess (can cause soil compaction)
5. 🥬 Vegetable Scrap Compost
- What it’s good for: General plant health, soil texture
- How to make:
- Use uncooked veggie scraps (avoid meat/oil)
- Combine with brown waste (paper, dry leaves)
- Let break down in a compost bin over 4–6 weeks
6. 🧂 Rice Water (Air Basuhan Beras)
- What it’s good for: All plants (adds trace minerals)
- How to use:
- Collect water from first rice rinse
- Use to water plants 2–3x a week
- Use fresh — don’t store for more than 24 hours
7. 🐛 DIY Compost Tea
- What it’s good for: Reviving tired plants and soil
- How to make:
- Soak 2 handfuls of compost in 1L water for 24 hours
- Strain and spray or pour onto plant base
🛠 Tools You Might Need
- Small food blender (optional)
- Airtight container for fermentation (e.g. peanut butter jar)
- Old watering can or spray bottle
- Gloves (for safety and hygiene)
⚠️ Things to Avoid
❌ No cooked food, meat, or dairy
❌ Don’t mix citrus peels in direct fertilizer (too acidic)
❌ No synthetic bags or plastic items
❌ Don’t over-apply — even natural fertilizers can harm if used excessively
📦 Bonus: Create a Starter Fertilizer Kit (Gift Idea)
Wrap these in a recycled basket with:
- Small compost jar
- Dried banana peel sachets
- Crushed eggshell shaker
- Printed guide with fertilizer recipes
Great as an eco-friendly birthday or housewarming gift!
🧠 Final Thoughts
You don’t need to buy fancy fertilizer to grow amazing plants. With just a few scraps from your kitchen and some basic know-how, you’ll be well on your way to a zero-waste garden that thrives.
Got a recipe to share? Tag us @projectharvest.my — we’d love to feature it!