DIY version of Miracle-Gro Shake ’n Feed / Continuous Release
Great! Let's make a DIY version of Miracle-Gro Shake ’n Feed / Continuous Release — a granular, slow-release plant food that you can sprinkle around your garden or mix into potting soil.
🌿 DIY "Shake ’n Feed"-Style Slow-Release Plant Food
🪴 What It Mimics:
Miracle-Gro Shake ’n Feed combines synthetic and natural ingredients to feed plants for up to 3 months, often including:
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Bone meal
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Feather meal
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Potash
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Microbes or organic matter
🧪 Ingredients (per batch)
| Ingredient | Function | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bone meal | Phosphorus, calcium | 1 cup |
| Feather meal or blood meal | Nitrogen (slow-release) | 1 cup |
| Kelp meal | Micronutrients, hormones | ½ cup |
| Greensand or langbeinite | Potassium, iron, magnesium | ½ cup |
| Rock phosphate | Long-term phosphorus | ½ cup |
| Crushed eggshells (optional) | Calcium | ½ cup |
| Compost or worm castings | Microbes + trace nutrients | 1 cup |
🔄 All ingredients can be found at garden centers or online (many are organic fertilizers on their own).
🥄 Instructions
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Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly in a bucket or large bowl.
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Store in an airtight container (like a plastic tub or jar).
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Sprinkle 2–4 tablespoons per plant or 1–2 cups per 10 sq. ft. of soil.
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Work into the top inch of soil and water well.
🔁 Application
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Every 2–3 months
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Safe for veggies, flowers, shrubs, trees
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Ideal at planting time or for side-dressing established plants
🛡️ Tips & Notes
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Adjust ratios depending on whether you're growing leafy greens (more nitrogen), fruiting plants (more potassium/phosphorus), or flowers.
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Add a handful of compost when applying to boost microbial life.
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Store cool & dry — moisture can activate nutrients too early.