Whey is a cloudy, yellowish liquid remaining after milk curdles. It contains many vitamins, proteins, minerals, and enzymes. Using whey in your garden has numerous benefits. This product enriches plants with valuable nutrients and improves their growth. It also helps increase crop yields.
Description and beneficial properties of whey
This product is obtained by processing milk. It consists of 93% water, with the remainder being dry matter, which is present in the dairy product.
Whey is free of milk proteins and fats. However, it does contain a lot of whey proteins, which include amino acids. These can replace valuable nutrients obtained from the soil. It also contains many vitamins, which are essential for the proper development of crops.
Serum solutions have numerous beneficial properties. Their use can achieve the following effects:
- Enrich the substrate with vitamins and minerals. This stimulates plant growth and ensures increased yields.
- Increase plant productivity. This applies to cucumbers, tomatoes, and cabbage. Whey solutions also increase the yield of squash and pumpkin. To achieve these goals, it is recommended to mix the whey with iodine and use it as a crop spray.
- Suppresses the growth of bacterial and fungal microorganisms. The product effectively combats late blight and powdery mildew. This is due to its acidic reaction.
- Make a pest control bait. This substance can be used to catch caterpillars, codling moths, and other pests.
- Stimulate compost maturation. Using whey solutions allows you to obtain useful fertilizer much faster.
Recipe for making the solution
Nowadays, there are many known whey-based recipes that can achieve a whole range of beneficial effects.
Using water
For root application, it is recommended to mix the serum with water. This should be done in a ratio of 1:10. It is important to use only clean water without chlorides. It should also be warm. Otherwise, there is a high risk of a significant change in the substance's acidity. The prepared solution is applied to the roots. Afterwards, water the soil thoroughly with plain water.
Using iodine
To prepare the composition, you should take the following ingredients:
- 3 liters of water;
- 1 liter of whey;
- 5 drops of iodine.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly. To improve the solution's adhesion, add a little soap. It is recommended to apply the product foliarly.
Using herbs
To prepare this solution, you'll need a 50-liter barrel. Fill it with greens and add one bucket of ash. Then, pour the whey into the container. It's important to let the mixture ferment for 2-3 weeks. Store it in a warm place. Mix the finished solution with equal parts water. It's recommended to use 0.5 liters of solution per crop.
Using ash
To make a healthy mixture, you should use the following ingredients:
- 5 large spoons of honey;
- 2 liters of whey;
- 10 drops of iodine;
- 1 glass of ash.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and let it steep for several days. This solution is best used during the flowering stage. It should be applied foliarly. It is also ideal for soaking seeds.
Using boric acid
To prevent the development of diseases in crops and to activate growth processes, it is worth taking the following:
- 1 liter of whey;
- 0.5 small spoon of boric acid;
- 10-15 drops of iodine.
It's recommended to mix all ingredients thoroughly and add 10 liters of water. The resulting mixture should be applied 2-3 times during the summer. If the plant begins to rot at the base, treat that area with this solution as well.
Instructions for use in the garden and vegetable garden
In agriculture, whey can be used for a variety of purposes. It is added in the following ways:
- root watering;
- foliar spraying.
Whey can be used on any plant. However, it's important to strictly follow the application instructions. To water the soil under your plants and saturate it with nutrients, mix 1 liter of whey with 10 liters of water. To make the mixture more effective, you can add 15 drops of iodine. This will help stimulate metabolic processes in the plant structure.
To make the solution more nutritious, add a little regular yeast. You can also add 300 grams of chicken manure or 500 grams of wood ash to 10 liters of the mixture. The resulting mixture should be left to infuse for several days and then used as fertilizer. Use 250 milliliters of the mixture per crop.
Milk whey can also be used separately. To do this, pour 300 milliliters of the substance under vegetable crops twice a month. This should be done throughout the warm season. This method helps improve the soil quality.
It's best to apply whey in cloudy weather. This promotes more active growth of the bacteria in the fertilizer. At the same time, water ensures better penetration of the fertilizer into the soil.
The amount of fertilizer should be adjusted based on the soil's nutritional properties. In poor soil, double the amount should be applied. Furthermore, fertilize weekly rather than twice a month.
Compatibility
The serum combines perfectly with combined mineral preparations. It can also be safely used with organic matter such as ash, humus, and compost. Microelement complexes and green infusions made from green manure make excellent additions to the substance.
When using mineral fertilizers, beneficial bacteria help convert them into a more usable form. This allows for the production of chelated fertilizers.
Adding the product to a green manure infusion can significantly activate the fermentation process. As a result, the nutrients penetrate the soil in a semi-decomposed form. Using whey stimulates the active growth of beneficial bacteria. This accelerates the decomposition of plant residues. Consequently, the content of humic acids increases, making the soil more fertile.
How and how long to store
Serum spoils fairly quickly. Therefore, products prepared with it should be used immediately after production.
Whey is a useful product often used in agriculture. This substance contains many valuable components that improve crop growth and development. To ensure the desired effect, it is important to use it strictly according to the instructions.