How to Make Organic Fertilizer? 4 Simple Methods

Want to know how to make organic fertilizer that actually works? You’re in the right place.

I’ve been making my own organic fertilizers for over a decade. And in this guide, as a professional organic fertilizer production line manufacturer, I’ll show you exactly how to turn everyday kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer that your plants will love.

The best part?

You don’t need fancy equipment. Or a chemistry degree. Just basic ingredients you probably already have at home.

Let’s dive right in.

Table of contents

Why Make Your Own Organic Fertilizer?

Here’s the thing:

Store-bought fertilizers can get EXPENSIVE. Especially if you’re trying to go organic.

But that’s not the only reason to make your own.

When you create homemade organic fertilizer, you’re:

Saving money (obviously)
Reducing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills
Controlling exactly what goes into your soil
Building healthier soil with beneficial microorganisms

Plus, synthetic fertilizers can actually harm your soil over time. They kill off beneficial microbes and can lead to nutrient imbalances.

Organic fertilizers? They feed your soil AND your plants.

The Basics: What Plants Actually Need

Before we jump into recipes, let’s talk nutrients.

Plants need three main nutrients (known as NPK):

Nitrogen (N): For leafy growth
Phosphorus (P): For roots and flowers
Potassium (K): For overall plant health and fruit production

They also need micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and iron.

The cool part? You can get ALL of these from stuff in your kitchen and yard.

How to Make Organic Fertilizer?

Method #1: Composting (The Gold Standard)

Composting is hands-down the BEST way to make organic fertilizer.

Why?

Because it creates a complete, balanced fertilizer that improves your soil structure too.

What You Need:

“Greens” (nitrogen-rich materials): Kitchen scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds
“Browns” (carbon-rich materials): Dry leaves, shredded paper, cardboard
Water
Air

Step-by-Step Process:

Choose your location. Pick a spot with good drainage. A bin works great, but you can also just make a pile.
Start with browns. Lay down a 4-inch layer of twigs or straw for airflow.
Alternate layers. Add greens and browns in a 1:3 ratio. Think lasagna.
Keep it moist. Your pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge.
Turn regularly. Every 2-3 weeks, mix everything up with a pitchfork.
Wait. In 2-6 months, you’ll have dark, crumbly compost.

Pro tip: The more you turn it, the faster it breaks down.

Method #2: Quick Liquid Fertilizers

Don’t want to wait months for compost?

These liquid fertilizers work in days (sometimes hours).

Banana Peel Fertilizer

This is my go-to for fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers.

Here’s how to make it:

Chop up 3-4 banana peels
Add to a jar of water
Let sit for 3 days
Strain and dilute 50/50 with water
Use immediately

The potassium boost helps with flower and fruit production.

Coffee Ground Fertilizer

Used coffee grounds are like GOLD for acid-loving plants.

Two ways to use them:

Direct application: Sprinkle around plants (but not too close to stems)

Liquid version:

Add 1 cup used grounds to a bucket of water
Let sit for 24 hours
Use the liquid to water plants

Just remember: Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen. Great for leafy greens, not so much for plants that are flowering.

Eggshell Water

Don’t toss that water after boiling eggs!

It’s loaded with calcium, which prevents blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.

Simply:

Let the water cool completely
Use it to water your plants

That’s it. Seriously.

Method #3: Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)

This is where things get interesting.

FPJ is basically concentrated plant nutrients in liquid form.

How to Make It:

Collect fresh plant material. Comfrey, nettles, or even weeds work great.
Chop everything up. The smaller, the better.
Mix with brown sugar. Use equal parts by weight.
Pack in a jar. Leave some headspace.
Cover with cloth. You want air flow but no bugs.
Wait 7-10 days. It’ll smell… interesting.
Strain and store. The liquid is your fertilizer.

To use: Dilute 1:500 with water.

I know that sounds like a lot of work. But one batch lasts months.

Method #4: Manure Tea

If you have access to aged manure, this is fertilizer GOLD.

Important: Never use fresh manure. It’ll burn your plants.

Here’s the process:

Fill a burlap sack with aged manure
Tie it closed
Submerge in a bucket of water
Let steep for 2-3 days
Remove the bag
Dilute the liquid 1:10 with water

Think of it like making tea, but for your plants.

Advanced Recipes That Actually Work

Want to level up your fertilizer game?

These recipes target specific plant needs.

High-Nitrogen Mix (For Leafy Greens)

4 parts coffee grounds
1 part crushed eggshells
2 parts grass clippings

Mix everything together and work into soil around plants.

Bloom Booster (For Flowers and Fruit)

3 parts banana peels (dried and crushed)
1 part bone meal
2 parts wood ash (from untreated wood only)

This combo provides the phosphorus and potassium flowering plants crave.

All-Purpose Organic Fertilizer

This is my personal favorite:

4 parts seed meal
1/4 part agricultural lime
1/4 part gypsum
1/2 part dolomite lime
1 part bone meal

Mix by volume, not weight. Apply 4-6 quarts per 100 square feet annually.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made ALL of these mistakes. Learn from them:

Using too much: More fertilizer ≠ better growth. Over-fertilizing can actually harm plants.

Fresh manure: I mentioned this already, but it bears repeating. Fresh manure WILL burn your plants.

Wrong timing: Fertilize in spring and early summer. Fall fertilizing can promote tender growth that won’t survive winter.

Ignoring pH: Some fertilizers change soil pH. Test your soil first.

Meat in compost: Unless you’re a composting pro, skip the meat. It attracts pests and can harbor pathogens.

When and How to Apply

Timing matters almost as much as what you use.

Best Times to Fertilize:

Spring: As plants wake up and start growing
Early summer: During peak growing season
After heavy rain: Nutrients get washed away

Application Methods:

Side dressing: Sprinkle fertilizer around plants, then water in

Foliar feeding: Spray diluted liquid fertilizer on leaves (early morning is best)

Deep root feeding: For trees and shrubs, make holes and add fertilizer directly

Testing and Adjusting

Here’s something most guides skip:

You need to know what your soil actually needs.

Get a soil test kit (they’re like $20) and check:

pH level
NPK levels
Micronutrients

Then adjust your fertilizer accordingly.

For example:

Low nitrogen? Add more coffee grounds or grass clippings
Need phosphorus? Bone meal or rock phosphate
Potassium deficient? Wood ash or banana peels

Safety Tips

Let’s talk safety for a minute.

Even though these are organic, you still need to be careful:

Wash hands after handling any fertilizer
Keep pets away from fresh applications
Store liquids properly (they can get pretty stinky)
Label everything (trust me on this one)

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Not seeing results? Here’s what might be wrong:

Plants look burned: You used too much or didn’t dilute enough. Flush soil with water.

No improvement: Your soil might need something specific. Get that soil test.

Fertilizer smells terrible: That’s… actually normal for some types. Store outside if needed.

Attracting pests: You might be using meat or dairy (don’t) or applying too close to stems.

The Bottom Line

Making organic fertilizer isn’t rocket science.

Start simple. Try one method. See how your plants respond.

The beauty of organic fertilizers is that they’re forgiving. Unlike synthetic options, they won’t burn your plants if you use a bit too much.

Plus, you’re building healthier soil with every application.

Remember: The best fertilizer is the one you’ll actually make and use. So pick a method that fits your lifestyle and available materials.

Your plants (and wallet) will thank you.

And that’s how to make organic fertilizer that actually works. Start with whatever materials you have on hand, and expand from there as you get comfortable with the process.