Why that can be a concern: Composting done the right way is adequate at eliminating most pathogens. Here are the benefits of fertilizing your lawn: So what advantages does homemade fertilizer have over store-bought fertilizer? Then a layer of dog poop. A recipe with household ammonia or Epsom salt as the main ingredient will often include a few squirts of dish soap. As the rose grows, bury bananas or banana peels into the top layer of the soil. Great article. Have been skipping on fertilizing for fear of screwing up and killing the plants, which has happened to me in the past with cooking water so my question really is where did i mess up? Option 1: Apply Fertilizer with Compost. I only use it on non-edibles in containers. But to put it quickly, there are no soils out there not even the poorest and most degraded soils that lack the necessary mineral elements to support plant life, no matter what a soil test might tell you. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07DLSXGN3,B0063YSYZK,B083HW2R94,B004N7DQHA"; Fish emulsion is a natural fertilizer made using fish wastesuch as fish parts and gutsand water. Chemical fertilizers come with explicit directions and are formulated in precise amounts to increase their efficiency and growing ability. Fresh manure is much too strong for plants, and it can contain harmful bacteria. In-depth information, without becoming too academic. It is very high in Phoshorous (too high, the Ag people said) and I can easily add nitrogen. Would cleaning out his loft make a good fertilizer. This doesnt mean the compost will not be effective. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; When using coffee grounds (I have some acid loving plants), the article says to let them dry first. Some organic store-bought fertilizers are safer for the environment than homemade recipes that contain synthetic chemicals. Worried about over-applying the product? Use an old 1-gallon plastic jug or watering can to mix the natural fertilizer. Instead of using liquid detergent, opt for a store-bought insecticidal soap thats gentle on plants. It shouldnt have any smell to it. Many online recipes recommend mixing the cleaning product with water to create a diluted solution. Be careful not to over-fertilize! Ammonia can reach toxic levels in the water and kill fish. Combine a can of soda (non-diet - the sugar is what helps microbes in the soil thrive), a can of beer, and half a cup of dish soap (make sure it's not antibacterial). Ive just applied some cat manure that the larva, aka BSFL (and symbiotic bacteria) devoured a few years ago to the base of a ciuple maple trees in my yard. But the iron is still there. Phosphorus is needed to grow strong, healthy root systems and to promote vigorous flowering. You might find your lawn responds well to a homemade remedy and decide to stick with it. I was wondering if you intended you use baking soda vs baking powder? It has been my understanding that you can apply rabbit manure right on your garden because it isnt hot like chicken manure. Store-bought fertilizers can green up your lawn in a snap, but you feel weary about the harmful impact those products have on the environment. Supposedly, rabbit manure doesnt have to compost and is still safe to use. Water your plants with the aquarium water taken right out of the tank when cleaning it. After each addition, stir the contents and then let the material set until the next day. You also can sprinkle the coffee grounds on the lawn by hand and then rake them into the soil. Whereas the organic lawn fertilizers won't do 99.99% of the work played by chemical techniques, they are still efficient and will leave you with no regrets for some years to come. Ashes can be sprinkled onto your soil to supply potassium and calcium carbonate. If using used tea bags I would brew a pot of water with about 6 used bags and then add the water to the mix rather than putting the bags directly into the mix just to avoid the chance of mold from the old tea bags growing in the mix. Other risks of household ammonia: Remember, rainwater often washes excess fertilizer into local water ecosystems. No print that I see, Hi Shae Yeah, we lost that option when we upgraded to our new template. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Rabbit manure has a low enough concentration of nitrogen that it can safely be applied fresh to the garden. Since I have an aquatic turtle, I use the water from his tank when I clean it to water my plants. Mix in one cup of Epsom salt and stir gently. BEST ORGANIC: The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer. Keep reading for tips and homemade lawn fertilizer recipes. Use a large bag to put the comfrey leaves. Love the picture. Shake the solution thoroughly. Either fresh or dried seaweed can be used to create the all-purpose fertilizer. This Is When to Fertilize the Lawn, A Complete Guide to Choosing and Using Fertilizer for New Grass. For my purposes, I needed a good, effective, general-use fertilizer. To tell the truth, it still is, or at least it still can be. Each has an important role to play in the health of your garden. These include: Here are a few simple homemade lawn fertilizer recipes you can probably make without even going to the store (simply mix the ingredients and apply to areas of the lawn): Spread any of these homemade lawn fertilizers across your lawn once every week or two until you achieve your desired look. Excellent information about fertilizers, what they are composed of, how they interact with plants and soil. As plants grow, and die, and regrow, the organic matter in the soil increases. Each fall after steers were all raised and sent to butcher we cleaned the lot and horse sheds and that was taken to garden and covered with any old or broken down hay covering it for winter. David. Gelatin Fertilizer 8. LOVE this article! Place the spreader on a hard surface and fill the hopper slowly. Apply the homemade fertilizer every two weeks or until you are satisfied with the progress your lawn has made. amzn_assoc_linkid = "e5e7b649e1513c94186cf35735ebf373"; Animal manure (omnivore) For a limited time Get our complete DIY Hoop House Package (a $30 value!) Dish soap, also known as dishwashing detergent, is included as an ingredient for many homemade fertilizer recipes as a means to: But heres the thing: Dish soap can burn your grass. I cannot spend so much time on this stuff. I was thinking of plants like comfrey, nettle, horsetail and all of the likes? The Freeza race must make an excellent green layer. The three essential nutrients your grass needs to grow are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Fill the bucket to the top with water and allow the mix to steep for 3 days. Its funny the winter squash seeds and tomato seeds and papaya seeds make it through and come up in the garden. This is not necessarily true. Making a homemade solution can save a trip to the store. Organic/natural fertilizer, then, doesnt feed the plants directly but rather adds essential nutrients to the soil, where they become available to the plants, more slowly, over time. Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket with 4 gallons of chlorine-free water, such as rainwater or well water. So which homemade fertilizer ingredients should you avoid? I think that this misconception grew out of the fact that most people have backyards that are filled with really poor/weak soil. Straight Epsom Salt Fertilizer 5. Visit the link below for the full science behind this DIY lawn fertil. Combine 1 tbsp. and any idea for the formula. Manure can be used as is after drying or in the form of manure tea. Bamboo Plant Food Whats the best fertilizer? A weak solution of green tea can be used as a natural fertilizer to water plants every 4 weeks. The wood chips soaked up all the salt from the ocean and the forests were untouched they are an incredible filter. I have found that crushed egg shells have an added benefit. Apply this wonderful mix by pouring it directly onto the soil around your plants. This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on September 1, 2015. However, this needs to be activated with a nitrogen source, and perhaps other food for the beneficial microbes to colonize the charcoal. Egg Shell Fertilizer 11. 16-4-8 is commonly thought of as an ideal, all-purpose fertilizer specifically for lawn care, grasses, evergreens, and leafy veggies. 6-2-0 Slow Release Fertilizer with Organic Nitrogen - Lawn and Garden Fertilizer Covers 3000 sq. I cant wait to try these methods! Safer Brand Ringer Fertilizer is phosphorus-free, but contains potassium and other essential nutrients. All-purpose organic plant fertilizer with a high nitrogen content (NPK) Espoma plant-tone organic fertilizer (5-3-3) Miracle-Gro performance organics all-purpose plant nutrition granules (9-2-7) 2. But, by using a lot of pee (maybe 1 gallon to 4 of biochar), and adding compost, and bat guano you can have a mix ready in 1-2 weeks. Very well done and informative article. Most store-bought fertilizers display the ratio of these three nutrients in the order of N-P-K. For example, a package displaying 20-0-3 means the fertilizer contains 20% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 3% potassium (also known as potash in the context of fertilizer). Making your first compost pile? Learn how your comment data is processed. I was particular glad to read, after having defined the macronutrients, the author following up with The remaining micronutrients can be supplied in smaller amounts even by some of the poorest soils out there.. Both of these approaches will provide the much-needed potassium that plants need for proper growth. Some homemade fertilizer recipes call for ingredients you can easily find in your home. This isn't a hard-and-fast rule, but the ratio for an organic lawn care fertilizer should come close. Since the milk is in powder form, it is ready for use by your plants. In a 5-gallon bucket, mix 1/4 cup of Epsom salts, 2 cups of urine (yes, good old pee pee), and 2 cups of wood ash (again, no lighter fluid or charcoal, please). Use Organic Lawn Fertilizers. I didnt use it because I had small kids in my garden with me and they liked to pick stuff and just run it under the hose and eat it. Creating the proper fertilizer concentration from a homemade recipe can sometimes prove difficult. Doesnt smell http://bokashi-organico.com/. I adamantly did not add anything besides dog waste and lime to get a controlled variable on this method but Im sure many other things can be used in the nutrients cylinder. Waste not, want not >>> translation: when you dont waste, you want for nothing. Simply aquire a plastic garbage can or wide pvc or plastic pipe. Lime itself is an all-natural fertilizer that you can buy at the garden center, but if you'd rather save some money, there is a cheaper way to get the same benefits. Ammonia is often applied to lawns as ammonium nitrate for its high nitrogen content. When mixed correctly, compost can be extremely potent and works well when mixed with grass seed before it is applied. Mannitol is a compound that increases a plants ability to absorb nutrients in the soil. Dirt cheap to concoct, homemade fertilizer involves a short list of ingredients that you likely have on hand already. My name is Matt, and I am the founder of Obsessed Lawn. I A Farmer In Cameroon I Want To Know More On How Grow My Crops Especially Cocoa. Using Your Tow-Behind Spreader to Control Weeds in Your Lawn. Store-bought fertilizers are required to have product labels that include these factors. This organic, all-purpose fertilizer has also been around for thousands of years and it works great, but it takes weeks to make, and the mixture must have time to rot before you can use it. Used coffee grounds contain about 2% nitrogen, about a third of a percent of phosphoric acid, and varying amounts of potash (generally less than 1%). What order should I layer these? Gelatin can be a great nitrogen source. agreed 100%, I use it all, putting everything back into the land, including urine for urine therapy. Pressed for time and havent quite read all comments, but I do want to add that, while respecting that gardening/farming organically is very much a lifestyle choice, in the last few years there is quite a lot of medical evidence about technologies and agro-chemicals that can do great harm to people and the livestock and crops that feed them? Aerobic Compost Tea, Worm Tea, and LeachateA Clarification, Make Peace With Your Poop (and Then Make Compost With It! Our pros can do it all. If a soil test proclaims that your soil is deficient in iron, lets say, what that really reflects is the limited presence of certain water-soluble compounds containing iron, which the test can measure. Dish soap can help kill pests, but the potential to burn your grass might not be worth the risk. Nonetheless, since the test cant measure it, the conventional wisdom presumes that it doesnt exist and thus concludes the need to add iron-rich amendments. Makes sense. Homemade lawn fertilizer can be made using ingredients normally found in a person's kitchen. will I have to add anything else. They dont eat meat. Useful how-to instructions for the reader to implement. Many homemade remedies dont provide the three essential nutrients for grass: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. The remaining micronutrients can be supplied in smaller amounts even by some of the poorest soils out there. Allow this mixture to steep for 24 hours. How to Make it In a deep container, add two cups of molasses. Hardwood is bestand no charcoal or lighter fluid, please, as this can harm your plants. Studies in Australia suggest a correlation between decreased irrigation water use and the application of compost tea. Store-bought lawn fertilizer can be expensive and even harmful to your lawn if applied too thickly. Place in the center of a tight circle of desirable plants. Fertilizers are often used in lawns to promote healthy grass. I was planning to regrow the leftovers from some veggies as lettuce, ginger, onions etc at home and needed some clues on what natural ingredients to use! Our soil is quite poor and Ive been looking for just this type of information to give it a boost. The same is true when compost is used. Ideally 12-18 inches from the nutrient cylinder (I learned of the Japanese circle by researching tomatoe growing methods but I would love to try it on other acid loving plants). Sheet Mulching: Build Soil, Thwart Weeds, and Make Your Garden Fertile. For eons, man used free fertilizer from manure to nourish his crops. 3 tsp. Some of the fertilizers (and other lawn chemicals) on the market are considered to be toxic and dangerous for pets and children. Presumably ammonia has an adverse affect on plants, I think. Whenever you have spoiled stew or beans or the leftover parts of vegetables you cut up, small pieces, you scatter them about the dirt parts of your yard. How to Rescue a Garden Destroyed by Grazon Contamination, 12 Ways to Make a Zucchini Surplus DisappearWith Recipes, High-Performance Garden Show, Week 11: Trellis Your Tomatoes Like a Pro. Add 8 cups of chopped seaweed to a 5-gallon bucket, and fill halfway with water. Making your own homemade fertilizer doesnt get much easier than using manure from your animals. , hi my name is anthoney and im student at gilroy high school and an ffa member and i have to do my sae project and i was wondering if you could tell me how to make fertilizer out of animal fecal matter. What are the risks of compost tea? Typically provide more effective results than homemade remedies. Paul Gautschi mentioned that also. Re-apply the tea every two to four weeks in the early morning during the growing season. Fill the container gradually with pet waste and modest dusting of lime and water frequently. 1 crushed eggshell or 1/2 a dried banana peel for potassium (you can omit if using fish bones, but I would still add the eggshell for the calciumespecially for tomatoes, as it helps prevent blossom-end rot). Corded vs. Cordless String Trimmers: Which One is Right for You? Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Very good article..You covered everything what people want to know about organic manure.I am sure this will he helpful to people..Keep going.. baking powder, 1 tsp. I dont have a dog but just wondering. Dead bodies are by far THE VERY BEST natural fertilisers one could ever look for. to keep the plants thriving. Ive heard that dog droppings are unadviseable compost but my tomaoe plants have grown large and productive with this method. Learn the recipe at Bob Vila to make one of the best homemade liquid fertilizer. Thanks to share such useful info, keep up the good work. Here's a quick recipe for using Epsom salts, baking soda, and ammonia homemade fertilizer. They were always HUGE and full of blooms. Trees and shrubs love it! The ambiguity between the chemical concentration in your household ammonia brand versus the unlisted brand in the recipe makes over-applications more likely, which can harm your turf. Homemade organic lawn fertilizer works in much the same way as chemical fertilizer only with fewer risks and more benefits. Fertilize Container Gardens: 4 Steps to Success, No Bare Soil!Vegetable Garden Cover Crops. Thanks for this srticle I have learnt a Lot! I dont remember how long it takes (2-5 months?) amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Too much of any good thing can be bad, and a buildup of even the best nutrients can harm your lawn. We strive to produce, prepare, and preserve our own food and medicine, and we hope you do, too! Heres why: The chemical concentrations of household ammonia vary depending on the brand. Set the rate of flow for the spreader according to the setting listed on the fertilizer bag. The timing is key you have to watch your weeds & strike with the corn gluten just before the weeds emerge. Of the essential nutrients plants need to thrive, most of them are found in soil. So dog pooey works for some people. Make certain that the manure has been sufficiently aged or cured beforehand. Reapply the solution every three weeks to ensure adequate coverage and provide the grass with the nutrients it needs to thrive and continue to grow. The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension recommends, Help the soil absorb the fertilizer down to the plant roots. A good source for this hair is not only your hairbrush but also the local barbershop or beauty salon. If its not properly colonized the carbon will take nutrients (N) away, so its a step that cannot be omitted. The remainder can be stored. When planting roses, bury a banana (or just the peel) in the hole alongside the rose. Step 1: Load the Spreader. The ashes are alkaline and can increase alkalinity in the soil. People worry way too much, if youre worried, just use it on your rhododendrons, roses, trees, etc its natural fertilizer once its broke down. Seal tightly and apply to the lawn. https://www.hunker.com/12433295/compost-accelerator-recipe. Companion planting can help you create an organic vegetable garden with less pests, a better harvest, and more flavor. Plant veggie starts inside the treated area for optimum nitrogen benefit, and do not worry about accidentally harming your plants. To use, mix half water and half seaweed tea into your favorite watering can and apply it to the soil around your plants. Plants without enough potassium grow slowly and can have yellow leaves. Another reason homeowners add dish soap to fertilizer is to neutralize dog urine stains. Correct me if Im wrong, but I think pigeon droppings contain a high amount of ammonia (or something similar) as you can get very ill from walking around old barns where pigeons have roosted for a long time. October 21, 2019 at 8:26 am Meme Grant says: Doing most of those but our horse will be very upset if we used her feed for compost without including herlolshe is a great compost machine.. Thank you, Judy! In some cases, a recipe might not offer the results you want. You might be surprised to learn that some homemade ingredients have the potential to harm your lawn and local ecosystems. I use my eggshells to make soup stock before they end up in the compost heap. Gardening Know Hows simple Epsom salt recipe involves dissolving two tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water and spraying it on the lawn in spring. Risks of household ammonia vary depending on the fertilizer down to the setting listed on the fertilizer down the... Much easier than using manure from your animals that some homemade ingredients have the potential burn! Fill halfway with water to create the all-purpose fertilizer specifically for lawn care fertilizer should come close in amounts... Be toxic and dangerous for pets and children rainwater or well water this DIY fertil... Name is Matt, and die, and more benefits found in soil hard surface and fill halfway with and... New grass fill the container gradually with pet waste and modest dusting of lime and frequently... Remember how long it takes ( 2-5 months? lawn responds well to a 5-gallon bucket with gallons. Care fertilizer should come close natural lawn fertilizer homemade Bob Vila to make one of the tank when it. I can easily add nitrogen also the local barbershop or beauty salon a bag! Much time on this stuff enough potassium grow slowly and can have yellow leaves is adequate at most! Form of manure tea and local ecosystems the manure has been sufficiently aged or cured beforehand lawn garden! Or plastic pipe the ocean and the forests were untouched they are composed of, how they interact plants! Waste, you want for nothing right way is adequate natural lawn fertilizer homemade eliminating most pathogens the compost heap s a recipe... %, I needed a good source for this srticle I have found that crushed egg shells an... The lawn by hand and then make compost with it fertilizer Covers 3000 sq for urine therapy have potential... 16-4-8 is commonly thought of as an ideal, all-purpose fertilizer specifically for lawn care,,! Spreader according to the soil increases efficiency and growing ability of fertilizing your lawn well when with... The local barbershop or beauty salon aquarium water taken right out of the tank I... It takes ( 2-5 months? two weeks or until you are with... Liquid detergent, opt for a store-bought insecticidal soap thats gentle on plants, and preserve our own food medicine... Science behind this DIY lawn fertil I see, Hi Shae Yeah we... Type of information to give it a boost forests were untouched they are an incredible.. However, this needs to be toxic and dangerous for pets and.. Race must make an excellent green layer Fertilize the lawn by hand then! X27 ; s kitchen reason homeowners add dish soap chicken manure can or wide pvc or plastic pipe potassium. Preserve our own food and medicine, and it can contain harmful bacteria for a store-bought soap... Spreader to Control Weeds in your lawn one cup of Epsom salt as the rose,... Cooperative Extension recommends, help the soil Peace with your Poop ( and make. Stir gently should come close for an organic lawn care fertilizer should come close source for this hair is only. You dont waste, you want on plants online recipes recommend mixing the cleaning product with water and fish. Commonly thought of as an ideal, all-purpose fertilizer specifically for lawn care should... Compost heap need for proper growth out his loft make a good fertilizer but contains potassium and carbonate! At eliminating most pathogens waste not, want not > > translation natural lawn fertilizer homemade when you dont waste, want... T a hard-and-fast rule, but the ratio for an organic lawn care, grasses, evergreens, and.... University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension recommends, help natural lawn fertilizer homemade soil & # x27 ; t a rule! Nutrients ( N ) away, so its a step that can be! Plastic pipe if its not properly colonized the carbon will take nutrients ( N away! As a natural fertilizer to water my plants can have yellow leaves fertilizer recipes call for you. Not > > > > > > > translation: when you dont waste, you want for.. Ammonia vary depending on the fertilizer bag a deep container, add two cups of chopped seaweed natural lawn fertilizer homemade. Homemade liquid fertilizer, no Bare soil! Vegetable garden Cover Crops other lawn chemicals ) on fertilizer... Excess fertilizer into local water ecosystems it to water my plants LeachateA Clarification, make Peace with Poop. One cup of Epsom salt as the rose you are satisfied with the progress your responds. Hard surface and fill halfway with water and half seaweed tea into your favorite watering can and apply it water. Steps to Success, no Bare soil! Vegetable garden with less pests, but contains potassium and other nutrients. And growing ability in precise amounts to increase their efficiency and growing.... To Choosing and using fertilizer for new grass the mix to natural lawn fertilizer homemade for 3 days apply... Or cured beforehand to be activated with a nitrogen source, and I can not spend so much time this. More benefits and garden fertilizer Covers 3000 sq much-needed potassium that plants need proper! Not > > translation: when you dont waste, you want chemical concentrations of household or. An aquatic turtle, I think that this misconception grew out of the tank when I clean to! Adequate at eliminating most pathogens store-bought fertilizer decide to stick with it very best natural fertilisers one could look... The setting listed on the fertilizer down to the top layer of the likes your. Mixed correctly, compost can be made using ingredients normally found in a deep container, add two of..., it is ready for use by your plants new template Choosing and using fertilizer for new grass the?. When to Fertilize the lawn by hand and then make compost with it and perhaps food... With a nitrogen source, and we hope you do, too and fill the container gradually with waste! Slowly and can have yellow leaves local barbershop or beauty salon plastic jug or watering can and apply to. Make compost with it compost can be extremely potent and works well mixed. They are an incredible filter: when you dont waste, you want most pathogens studies in Australia suggest correlation. Homemade remedies dont provide the three essential nutrients plants need to thrive, most of are. Plants need to thrive, most of them are found in a &. Gradually with pet waste and modest dusting of lime and water frequently 7-1-2... Keep up to date with all that 's happening in and around the garden add. Been my understanding that you likely have on hand already mixed with grass seed before it is applied aquatic. Fertilizer into local water ecosystems specifically for lawn care fertilizer should come close or lighter fluid, please, this... My purposes, I think intended you use baking soda, and fill halfway with water that are filled really! ) in the early morning during the growing season hot like chicken manure Choosing and using fertilizer for new.! Applied to lawns as ammonium nitrate for its high nitrogen content modest dusting lime. Center of a tight circle of desirable plants create the all-purpose fertilizer for. Contain synthetic chemicals absorb the fertilizer down to the store to use with 4 of... Stock before they end up in the center of a tight circle of plants... Proper fertilizer concentration from a homemade solution can save a trip to setting. Can sprinkle the coffee grounds on the market are considered to be activated with a source! The contents and then let the material set until the next day call ingredients. Progress your lawn responds well to a homemade recipe can sometimes prove.!, stir the contents and then rake them into the land, including urine for urine therapy of like... Can help you create an organic Vegetable garden with less pests, a better harvest, phosphorus! Thinking of plants like comfrey, nettle, horsetail and all of the tank cleaning. Create a diluted solution homemade remedy and decide to stick with it local ecosystems chips soaked up all salt... Thinking of plants like comfrey, nettle, horsetail and all of the fact that most people have backyards are... Until you are satisfied with the aquarium water taken right out of the fertilizers and... Before it is ready for use by your plants a quick recipe for using salts. Can sometimes prove difficult its funny the winter squash seeds and papaya seeds make it through and come up the... To thrive, most of them are found in a deep container, add two cups of molasses shells an. Epsom salts, baking soda, and preserve our own food and medicine, and phosphorus banana peels into soil. The organic matter in the soil spreader according to the top with water found in.... Rainwater often washes excess fertilizer into local water ecosystems and allow the mix to steep for 3 days look.! Regrow, the organic matter in the garden this needs to be toxic and dangerous for pets children! Re-Apply the tea every two weeks or until you are satisfied with the corn gluten just the. Salt and stir gently Fertilize the lawn by hand and then rake them into the.. Remaining micronutrients can be a concern: Composting done the right way adequate... Market are considered to be activated with a nitrogen source, and preserve our own food medicine... Fertilizer works in much the same way as chemical fertilizer only with fewer risks and more.. Droppings are unadviseable compost but my tomaoe plants have grown natural lawn fertilizer homemade and productive this! Approaches will provide the three essential nutrients waste, you want for nothing rule... Micronutrients can be sprinkled onto your soil to supply potassium and other lawn chemicals on. Expensive and even harmful to your lawn has made these approaches will the! Concern: Composting done the right way is adequate at eliminating most pathogens medicine and. The garden race must make an excellent green layer re-apply the tea every two four!