7 Things You Can Bury in Your Garden for Free Fertilizer

As a gardener, you're always looking for ways to keep your plants healthy and thriving without breaking the bank. Did you know that you can use everyday items as free fertilizer for your garden? In this blog, I'm going to cover seven things that you can bury in your garden or raised beds to provide nutrients to your plants. But first, let's talk about what you shouldn't bury in your garden. Avocado peels take a while to decompose and they also have a strong odor while decomposing. Additionally, onions and garlic scraps are not attractive to earthworms, and therefore not ideal for your garden.

Now, let's get into the seven things that you can bury in your garden for free fertilizer.

1. Kitchen scraps:

   All kinds of kitchen scraps are great for your garden. Squash peels, tomato leftovers, butternut squash peels, banana peels, and even mushroom scraps are all great additions to your garden. However, make sure to use a fencing material to prevent rodents, raccoons, or your dog from digging up the scraps.

2. Eggshells:

   Save your eggshells and add them to your garden for added calcium. It may take six months to a year for the calcium to dissolve into the soil for the plants to intake, but the wait is worth it. To speed up the process, you can crush the eggshells before adding them to your garden. The best time to add eggshells to your garden is over the fall months in August, September, and October.

3. Cardboard products:

   Cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, and paper towel rolls can all be buried in your garden as long as they don't have any plastic tape or stickers on them. Cardboard products are great for decomposing in your garden and providing nutrients to your plants.

4. Coffee grounds:

   Used coffee grounds are a great addition to your garden. They add nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to your soil, which are all essential for plant growth.

5. Wood ash:

   Wood ash from your fireplace or wood stove is a great source of potassium for your garden. Just make sure to use it sparingly as it can also raise the pH level of your soil.

6. Grass clippings:

   Grass clippings are a great source of nitrogen for your garden. Just make sure they haven't been treated with any chemicals before adding them to your garden.

7. Leaves:

   Fall leaves can be added to your garden as well. They provide carbon and other nutrients that are essential for plant growth.

In conclusion, there are many everyday items that you can bury in your garden for free fertilizer. From kitchen scraps to eggshells, and even coffee grounds, there are plenty of options to choose from. Just make sure to use them properly and in moderation to keep your garden healthy and thriving. Happy gardening!