How to Make Fermented Plant Juice (Organic Fertilizer)

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Organic gardening is really fun because you can produce delicious veggies naturally right from your garden. The most common source of organic matter is compost. But there are times that you can't make your own compost and there are times when you don't have enough organic matter to fertilize your garden. There are liquid fertilizers available in garden stores. These can be a substitute to regular application of compost, but organic liquid fertilizer is quite expensive, especially if you have plenty of plants to fertilize.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. Example: 1 kg. plant materials, 1 kg. brown sugar, 1 gallon (3.8 L) water. This can be reduced, just remember the ratio.
  2. Mix the materials together until the sugar is dissolved in water.
    Advertisement
  3. [1]
  4. Make sure the container won't be disturbed. [2]
  5. Do not disturb or move it as much as possible. [3]
    • A week later, you will notice molds growing on the surface. The liquid will have a sweet-sour smell. It may be disturbing but its worth it. It is a sign that beneficial bacteria has inhabited the liquid.
  7. Leave enough space for the bacteria to breathe. The solid materials can be placed into the compost pile, if you have. Otherwise, throw it in the trash. [4]
  8. [5]
  10. Mix 1 cup of the liquid to 1 gallon (3.8 L) of chemical-free water. It is best applied early in the morning or late afternoon. Use the diluted liquid to water the plants at their bases.
    • For most plants, apply the diluted FPJ at least once a week.
    11. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I use white sugar? And what are plant materials?
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    You can use white sugar, but brown or crude sugar is better because it gives elements to bacteria that help them to grow. Concerning the plants, you must use Nitrogen-rich parts like stems and leaves of pea, bean, lentil, soya or peanuts.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 18
  • Question
    What difference does it make if the plant juice is stored in a light vs. dark area?
    Community Answer
    Light, air, and heat are the enemy of nutrients. Store your juice in a cold dark area in an airtight container.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 8
  • Question
    Can I add sugar cane juice instead of water and sugar?
    Community Answer
    You can, but it won't give you the same osmotic pressure as granular sugar.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you want to make sure that the plants have a steady supply of nutrients, you can apply half strength (1/4 cup FPJ per gallon of water). This is applied everyday.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • FPJ can also be used to accelerate the decomposition of organic matter in a compost pile. If so, sprinkle undiluted FPJ on the compost. It also improves the nutrient content of the compost.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Shake the FPJ at least once a week to bring air to the bacteria and to avoid settling of the organic matter.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Raw Materials:

      • Plant parts of fast growing plants (legumes have plenty of Nitrogen)
      • Brown Sugar/ Crude Sugar/ Molasses
      • Chlorine-free water

      • Other Materials:

      • A large plastic container, large enough to contain 1 gallon (3.8 L) water(e.g. bucket)
      • A piece of cloth
      • Rubber Band
      • Plastic Bottles w/ cap (1L soda bottles, gallon bottles, etc.)
      • Strainer
      • Funnel
      • Measuring Cup (optional)

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Apply Urea Fertilizer
      Fertilizing a Citrus Tree: What Month, How Much, & Best Ratios
      How to
      Fertilize Soil With Eggshells
      How to
      Make Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer with Fresh or Dried Seaweed
      How to
      Use Ashes As Fertilizer
      How to
      Revive an Overfertilized Plant
      How to
      Make Nitrogen Fertilizer
      How to
      Use Blood Meal
      Fertilizing an Apple Tree: When, What, & How Much (All Your Questions Answered)
      How to
      Fertilize Trees
      How to
      Use Miracle‐Gro
      How to
      Use Seaweed in the Garden
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/SA-7.pdf
      2. ↑ https://sproutingfam.com/gardening/fermented-plant-juice/
      3. ↑ https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/SA-7.pdf
      4. ↑ https://sproutingfam.com/gardening/fermented-plant-juice/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp6ZAmtbDj8

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 164,530 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Phone Thiha

        Dec 31, 2016

        "I totally love it. Now I can make my very own fertilizer for my precious plants, and I don't have to worry ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement