What home made fertilizers can I use instead of Botanicare, Pure Blend Pro?

Generally, liquid fertilizers like Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Bloom, Pure Blend Pro Grow, and Cal-Mag Plus have a shelf life of around 3-5 years if stored properly (sealed, in a cool, dark place, and not exposed to extreme temperatures). Since your bottles expired two years ago, you might still be able to use them, but with some considerations:

How to Check If They're Still Usable

1. Smell Test – If the liquid has a foul or rotten odor, it may have gone bad due to microbial growth.
2. Consistency Check – If there are clumps, separation, or a sludge-like texture, it could indicate that the nutrients have broken down. Try shaking the bottle to see if it re-emulsifies.
3. pH Test – If you have a pH meter, check the pH before use. If it's drastically different from the normal range, the formula may have degraded.
4. Test on a Single Plant – If you’re unsure, dilute a small amount and test it on a less important plant to see if it causes any issues before using it on your entire crop.

What Happens If You Use Expired Fertilizers?

• If the nutrients have broken down, they may not be as effective, leading to poor plant growth.
• Organic components might have spoiled, which could cause root issues or pH imbalances.
• Synthetic components like Cal-Mag Plus may last longer but could still lose potency.

Final Verdict

If the nutrients smell fine, mix well, and have no visible mold or separation, they’re probably still good to use—just shake well before applying. If anything seems off, it’s safer to replace them to avoid plant damage.

If you’d rather go with homemade fertilizers, here are some great DIY options based on what your plants need:

1. Nitrogen-Rich Fertilizers (For Vegetative Growth – Like Pure Blend Pro Grow)

• Banana Peel + Eggshell Tea – Chop banana peels and crushed eggshells, soak in water for 24–48 hours, then strain and use as a liquid fertilizer.
• Coffee Grounds – Mix used coffee grounds into your soil or compost for a slow-release nitrogen boost.
• Grass Clippings Tea – Soak fresh grass clippings in water for 24–48 hours, then use the liquid to water plants.

2. Phosphorus & Potassium Boost (For Flowering – Like Pure Blend Pro Bloom)

• Banana Peel Tea – Bananas are high in potassium and phosphorus. Chop peels, soak in water for a day or two, strain, and use.
• Bone Meal – Crushed, dried animal bones (or ground-up eggshells) provide phosphorus over time.
• Wood Ash – Sprinkle lightly on soil for potassium (avoid if your soil is already alkaline).

3. Calcium & Magnesium (Like Cal-Mag Plus)

• Crushed Eggshell Tea – Soak crushed eggshells in water for a few days to extract calcium.
• Epsom Salt Solution – Dissolve 1 tbsp of Epsom salt per gallon of water to provide magnesium and sulfate.
• Milk Water – Dilute one part milk with two parts water and water plants for a calcium boost.

4. General All-Purpose Organic Fertilizer

• Compost Tea – Soak compost in water for 24–48 hours, strain, and use as a liquid feed.
• Manure Tea – Steep aged manure (cow, horse, or chicken) in water, let sit for 24 hours, then dilute before use.
• Blended Food Scraps – Blend fruit/vegetable scraps with water to create a liquid fertilizer.

Would you like a specific mix tailored to your plant type? 🚀

Cucumbers, Watermelon, Green Beans, Peas, Strawberrys, Green Onion, Peppermint, Carrots, Cantaloupe, Peppermint

Great selection! Here's a homemade fertilizer plan tailored to your plants’ needs. Since you have a mix of fruiting plants, leafy herbs, and root vegetables, we'll focus on nitrogen for greens, phosphorus/potassium for fruiting crops, and calcium/magnesium for overall health.

🌱 Homemade Fertilizer for Your Garden

1️⃣ Nitrogen Boost (For Green Beans, Peas, Green Onions, Peppermint)

• Banana Peel + Eggshell Tea – Provides calcium and nitrogen.
  • Chop banana peels and crush eggshells.
  • Soak in water for 48 hours.
  • Use to water plants once a week.
• Used Coffee Grounds – Add a small amount to soil for a slow nitrogen release.

✅ Use during early growth stages for leafy greens.

2️⃣ Phosphorus & Potassium (For Fruiting Crops: Cucumbers, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Strawberries)

• Banana Peel Tea (Potassium Boost)
  • Chop 2–3 banana peels.
  • Soak in a gallon of water for 2 days.
  • Strain and use once a week during flowering/fruiting.
• Wood Ash (Potassium & Calcium)
  • Sprinkle a small amount around fruiting plants (avoid overuse).

✅ Use once plants start flowering.

3️⃣ Calcium & Magnesium (For Stronger Roots & Preventing Blossom End Rot)

• Eggshell & Vinegar Solution – For calcium absorption.
  • Crush eggshells and soak in vinegar for 24 hours.
  • Mix 1 tbsp of this solution in 1 gallon of water.
  • Use as a foliar spray or soil drench every 2 weeks.
• Epsom Salt Solution (Magnesium Boost)
  • Dissolve 1 tbsp of Epsom salt per gallon of water.
  • Use once every 2 weeks, especially for cucumbers, melons, and strawberries.

✅ Prevents calcium deficiencies and strengthens fruit production.

4️⃣ All-Purpose Compost Tea (For Everything)

• Ingredients: A handful of compost, banana peel, eggshells, and a bit of molasses.
• Instructions:
  • Place ingredients in a bucket with a gallon of water.
  • Let sit for 24–48 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Strain and use as a soil drench every 2 weeks.

✅ Perfect for overall plant health and balanced nutrition.

5️⃣ Root Vegetable Booster (For Carrots & Green Onions)

• Wood Ash + Banana Peel Tea (For potassium and phosphorus)
  • Use lightly in soil to promote strong root development.

✅ Apply every few weeks during growth.

Application Schedule

Would you like additional pest control tips or composting advice? 😊

🍵 Compost Tea Recipe for a Supercharged Garden 🍵

Compost tea is like a nutrient-packed smoothie for your plants! It feeds the soil with beneficial microbes and essential nutrients, boosting growth and preventing disease.

🌿 Ingredients

✔ 1–2 cups of finished compost (homemade or store-bought)
✔ 1 tbsp molasses (feeds good bacteria)
✔ 5 gallons of water (dechlorinated, let tap water sit for 24 hours)
✔ (Optional) 1 tbsp seaweed extract or fish emulsion for extra nutrients

🛠 Instructions

1️⃣ Fill a bucket with 5 gallons of water.
2️⃣ Add compost (use a mesh bag, old sock, or strain later).
3️⃣ Stir in molasses (this feeds beneficial microbes).
4️⃣ Aerate – Stir vigorously a few times a day OR use an aquarium pump for 24 hours (better results!).
5️⃣ Let it brew for 24–48 hours in the shade.
6️⃣ Strain & use immediately!

💧 How to Use Compost Tea

✅ Soil Drench – Pour tea directly onto soil near roots.
✅ Foliar Spray – Spray leaves to boost disease resistance (morning or evening).
✅ Use every 1–2 weeks for maximum plant health!

⚠ Compost Tea Tips

🚫 Don’t let it sit too long (it spoils after 48 hours).
🚫 Avoid spraying in direct sun (leaves may burn).
🚫 If it smells bad, don’t use it—it should smell earthy, not rotten.

This works wonders for cucumbers, melons, strawberries, beans, and carrots! 🌱