100% Organic Plant Care at Home
I believe in gardening that respects nature. Here, I share my personal techniques for natural composting, DIY organic fertilizers, and chemical-free pest control.
I started composting when I was in 8th standard, and here I am harvesting my "black gold". I can teach you how to balance greens and browns to make rich, smell-free compost at home.
Learn how to make your own organic pesticide. This video shows two methods for making neem oil at home, a traditional one from seeds and a simpler infusion with leaves.
Here are my top plant care tips for the rainy season. I cover important topics like checking drainage, removing mulch, and when to avoid fertilizing to prevent root rot.
Don't throw away used tea powder. I'll show you how to turn it into a nitrogen-rich fertilizer that promotes leafy growth in your plants.
Banana peels are full of potassium and are great for your flowering and fruiting plants. Learn how to make a powerful liquid fertilizer from them.
Learn how to make a natural liquid fertilizer from watermelon peels. This is a great way to use kitchen scraps to feed your plants, especially those that need potassium.
Summer can be tough on plants. Here are my best tips to save them, including watering strategies, using shade nets, and mulching to retain soil moisture.
Aloe vera isn't just for skin, it's also a fantastic fertilizer for plants. It contains natural growth hormones that boost root and shoot development.
The liquid from your compost bin, or "compost tea," is a nutrient-rich fertilizer. I show you how to dilute and use it as a soil drench or foliar spray.
Fermented curd is another amazing homemade fertilizer. It's full of beneficial microbes that improve soil health and help plants absorb nutrients.
About 100% Organic Plant Care
The secret to smell-free, successful composting is all about the balance. If you mix your kitchen waste, which I call greens, with an equal part of dry leaves or cardboard pieces, which I call browns, you will not have any foul odor or pest issues in your bin. I have been fine-tuning this ratio since I started gardening in 8th standard, and it is the single most important habit for maintaining a healthy, organic balcony garden.
Why I Stick to 100% Organic
For me, gardening is seva, a form of service to nature and my Kannaya. Using synthetic chemicals on plants feels wrong, especially when growing food. My entire approach is based on what I have learned through trial and error on my own terrace in Anantapur.
My Natural Fertilizer Recipes
I rely on kitchen scraps to feed my plants. Here are a few things I do regularly:
- Banana Peel Fertilizer: This is my go-to for flowering plants. I ferment the peels in water for 48 hours to extract potassium and phosphorus. It makes a huge difference in the number of blooms you get.
- Tea Powder Feed: Used tea leaves are full of nitrogen. After rinsing them well to remove any milk or sugar, I dry them in the sun and mix them into the soil. It promotes lush, green leafy growth.
- Fermented Curd: This is excellent for soil health. It adds beneficial microbes that help plants absorb nutrients better. I dilute it heavily before spraying or applying as a soil drench.
Keeping Pests Away Naturally
I never use chemical pesticides. Instead, I use a simple neem oil solution. I mix 3 to 5 ml of neem oil with a few drops of soap solution in a liter of water. The soap acts as an emulsifier. I always spray this in the evening, ensuring I cover the undersides of the leaves. It is a powerful preventative measure against hundreds of pests.
Seasonal Tips
- Rainy Season: The biggest danger is root rot. I check my drainage holes constantly and avoid fertilizing when the soil is already too wet.
- Summer: I rely on mulching. A simple layer of dried leaves or coconut husk on the soil surface keeps the roots cool and retains moisture. It is a simple jugaad that saves many plants from the heat.
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