As spring arrives, gardening enthusiasts are getting excited to get their hands dirty and tend to their gardens. One clever tip for harvesting free fertilizer for your garden is to grow a Mexican sunflower plant, as shared by TikToker Malakai (@plantwithmalakai). This versatile plant can be used as biomass and green mulch, and its leaves are high in nitrogen, making them a valuable resource for gardeners.
Mexican sunflower is an excellent choice for permaculture and can be propagated easily from cuttings, making it possible to have a constant supply once you’ve started with one plant or cutting. The plant’s leaves break down quickly and microbes love them, which makes it an effective fertilizer.
In a video, Malakai demonstrates how to cut down sections of the plant to use as biomass and green mulch. This not only saves money on fertilizer but also benefits the environment, as synthetic fertilizers can have negative effects on the planet.
Growing Mexican sunflower can also attract pollinators, which enhance the health of other plants, increasing yields and flavor. In the comments, Malakai mentions that using these cuttings is a free and easy way to multiply the parent plant, eliminating the need to buy seeds or worry about germination.
Gardening has been a vital part of human survival and well-being for thousands of years, providing a source of joy, exercise, and a connection to nature. With its many benefits for physical and mental health, it’s no wonder that gardening has seen a resurgence in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you have a large yard or a small balcony, there are many ways to incorporate gardening into your life and reap its rewards.