Kitchen waste such as coffee grounds or banana peels are often mixed into irrigation water as a natural fertilizer for better plant growth. But have you ever spread hair as fertilizer in your potting soil? Here's what this could do for your plants.
Can you mix hair into potting soil?
Hair mixed in potting soil actually has a similar effectlike a long-term fertilizer A US study was able to prove that plants in which cut hair was mixed into the soil grew better than without it. An improvement in growth has so far been recognized in poppy and feverfew.
Is the effect of hair in potting soil scientifically proven?
In the USA, researchers at Mississippi State University in Verona examined thescientific effects of human hair in potting soil. They proved that feverfew and poppies grow just as well in soil mixed with hair as in soil mixed with slow-release fertilizer. The researchers also discovered that this effect only develops over time and has little effect on short-lived plants such as lettuce or mugwort. It takes a few months for the nutrients that plants can use to dissolve in the hair.
How does hair in potting soil improve plant growth?
Human hair is mainly made up of keratin. The containedNitrogencomes out after a while. This can be absorbed by the plants as animportant source of nutrients to grow better. Hair is actually long horny threads and only decomposes in the ground after a long time. Therefore, seasonal plants hardly benefit from this fertilization method.
How many hairs should be mixed into soil as fertilizer?
The study givesno precise information on how hair can be used as an effective fertilizer in potting soil. There is no mention of how many hairs you should mix in a liter of soil. Furthermore, it is not known what effects dyed or otherwise chemically treated hair can have on plant growth. Further studies still need to find out what effect hair can have on the production of edible plants or whether it is even harmful to he alth.
Tip
Hair can also be composted
You can also dispose of smaller amounts of hair, such as beard hair or hair clippings, in your compost heap. Ideally, you should mix the hair waste into the soil to speed up the decomposition process. You should also make sure to only use untreated and natural hair for this purpose. You should dispose of colored or chemically treated hair safely in household waste due to the potentially harmful components.
