Kitchen Waste Transformed into 'Black Gold' Organic Fertilizer and Bio-Enzyme

Kathmandu. Every day in all our homes, vegetable peels, fruit pieces, and leftover tea leaves are thrown into the dustbin.

But do you know? What you consider waste is actually no less than a treasure for your plants.

Among gardening enthusiasts, the trend of making 'black gold', i.e., organic fertilizer, from kitchen waste is rapidly increasing. Let's learn how to turn your daily waste into this precious 'black gold' right at home.

What is Black Gold After All?

Black gold refers to high-quality natural fertilizer, which is formed by the natural decomposition of cold waste from our kitchens. This fertilizer is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

It works like magic for plant growth. After using it, you will not need to buy expensive chemical fertilizers from the market.

The Easiest Way to Make Fertilizer at Home

Making fertilizer at home is not a difficult task. You can prepare it very easily by following these simple steps:

• Take any old clay pot, planter, or plastic bucket. Make sure to make a few small holes all around and at the bottom for air circulation.
• First, lay a layer of dry leaves, newspaper pieces, or a little dry soil at the bottom.
• Now add vegetable and fruit peels, leftover tea leaves, and eggshells to it.
• After adding kitchen waste, cover it with a little more dry soil or leaves. Adopting this 'sandwich method' prevents the fertilizer from smelling and also keeps insects away.
• Place the container in a shaded area on the balcony or roof. Sprinkle a little water on it so that moisture is maintained. Stir it up and down with a stick or trowel every 4-5 days so that it gets oxygen.
• In about 2 to 3 months, this waste will completely decompose and turn into loose soil of dark black color. Once this is done, homemade 'black gold' for your plants will be ready.

Make Bio-Enzyme from Peels, Not Just Fertilizer

If you have leftover peels of citrus fruits like lemon, orange, or pomelo at home, you can make an excellent bio-enzyme from them. It is a completely natural and chemical-free cleaning liquid.

Easy Method to Make It:

• Take an airtight plastic bottle.
• Mix 3 parts citrus fruit peels, 1 part jaggery, and 10 parts water in it.
• Close the bottle cap tightly and keep it in a safe corner of the house.
• For the first month, open the bottle cap slightly once daily to release the gas being formed inside and then close it again.
• Exactly after 3 months, strain this liquid.
• Your homemade natural bio-enzyme is ready. You can mix it with water and use it to mop the floor at home, clean the bathroom, or spray it on plants as an organic pesticide.

Therefore, think once before throwing away vegetable peels instead of waste. Your little understanding and small effort will not only help keep our environment clean but can also keep your garden lush green forever.