Feeding peppers with yeast in a greenhouse and open ground

Hardworking gardeners use all sorts of fertilizers to grow healthy sweet pepper seedlings and reap a bountiful harvest. Both organic and chemical methods are used. However, natural remedies remain the preferred method.

Oddly enough, yeast is considered one of the most effective supplements.

Yeast supplement: description

Yeasts are single-celled fungi (living microorganisms) whose cells are microscopic in size (approximately 5 microns) and bud, forming colonies. These microorganisms consist of carbohydrates, proteins, various vitamins, minerals, amino acids, iron, and other substances. They multiply rapidly in a warm, dark, enclosed space. Glucose helps them do this.

Why has yeast become so popular in gardening? And why is it so often used to make fertilizers? Because thanks to its beneficial micro- and macronutrients, yeast promotes vigorous, and most importantly, healthy, growth of pepper seedlings.

One of the advantages of this fertilizer is that yeast is completely harmless to plants. Its use does not affect the taste or appearance of the fruit (except perhaps for the better).

Providing plants with all the necessary vitamins and microelements using traditional mineral fertilizers requires a great deal of effort, as there's simply no product that includes absolutely every mineral element. Yeast fertilizer, however, is a complete complex of all essential minerals. Plants receive a huge dose of vitamins in one application. Experiments have shown that a 1% yeast extract can replace all fertilizers.

Please note: you can use powdered, dry or live yeast to dilute the feed.

Benefits of yeast supplementation

• saturates the soil with useful microelements;
• increases plant vitality;
• stimulates the growth of peppers;
• promotes rapid development of the root system;
• additional roots appear two weeks earlier;
• seedlings grow correctly, without stretching;
• green mass is intensively growing.

Disadvantage: Yeast fertilizer neutralizes potassium.

Result: yeast feeding awakens the soil microflora, which, saturated with vitamins, transfers all the nutrition to the plant roots.

How does yeast fertilizer work?

Yeast affects not the plants themselves, but the soil, specifically the bacteria living in it (plants feed on minerals, not proteins and carbohydrates). Single-celled fungi, which contain all the beneficial substances listed above, when dissolved in water begin to produce mesoinositol alcohol, vitamin H (biotin), and B1 vitamins, which stimulate root formation. The enzymes activate phytohormones, which in turn accelerate regenerative processes. Microorganisms living in the soil begin to multiply rapidly, quickly processing organic matter and distributing nutrients through their spores.

Working with this simple fertilizer is easy. Just remember that yeast requires three things to work: warmth, time, and sugar. The last element is expensive, and not everyone can afford to "sugared" their entire garden. Therefore, sugar can be omitted from the fertilizer. However, warmth and time are essential. If you rush to begin work before the yeast has matured, the yeast mechanism simply won't start, and in poorly warmed soil, the yeast won't activate.

Fact: yeast feeding is an effective and inexpensive way to care for peppers.

Compound

Yeast contains a complex of vitamins essential for young shoots. It contains over 60% protein, 10% carbohydrates, as well as organic iron, minerals, and macronutrients.

Substances contained in yeast:

• amino acids;
• nucleic acids;
• lipids;
• carbohydrates;
• B vitamins;
• ergosterol;
• minerals (calcium, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc).

However, it's important to keep in mind that the composition of yeast is variable, as it is, after all, a living microorganism. Its quantity changes depending on external factors.

Advice: since yeast contains significantly less potassium, it is better to combine yeast feeding with other types of fertilizers containing this element.

Efficiency

If you feed your plants with yeast-based fertilizer during the seedling period, each seedling will receive its full nutritional needs. As a result, your peppers will grow better, be less susceptible to disease, transplant smoothly, and withstand adverse weather conditions.

When to use yeast feeding

• the plant develops slowly;
• the color of the leaves becomes faded;
• bushes often get sick and wither;
• leaves curl and lose elasticity.

Timing of fertilizer application

A pepper's life begins with planting its seeds in the ground. Large, healthy seeds are selected. The seedlings are germinated, carefully tended as they grow. Once the seedlings develop leaves, it's time to plant them in the ground.

Transplanting peppers to their permanent location is a very difficult time for young plants. Difficulty adjusting to new conditions, they often become ill. Properly applied fertilizer can ease the adaptation period. This is where a simple yet effective yeast fertilizer comes in handy. With the help of fungi, the soil will be enriched with essential elements and will provide triple the nourishment to weakened peppers. The peppers will quickly develop immunity to many external factors, including diseases.

Even a few days is enough to see how well yeast helps plants grow. Pepper plants will rise, fill with juice, and begin to grow.

Yeast feeding can be applied a little earlier, during the seedling growth period, when the first leaves appear on the shoots. Yeast stimulates their rapid growth. The next feeding can be applied in three to four weeks.

If you decide to use yeast fertilizer, keep in mind that you can only feed peppers with it twice per season.

Rules for using yeast as fertilizer

1. As we know, yeast is activated by warmth, so before applying fertilizer, make sure the soil is warm enough. If the soil isn't warm enough, the desired results may not be achieved.
2. The water used for yeast propagation shouldn't be too hot. The optimal temperature is 30-40 degrees Celsius. Cool water will slow the fermentation process. Water that's too hot will kill the yeast.
3. Yeast feeding of peppers is mainly used when planting seedlings in open ground. You can also apply yeast again during the season if necessary. However, it's not recommended to overdo it.
4. It is better to combine yeast feeding with other mineral compositions (especially those rich in calcium and magnesium).
5. The prepared solution should be used immediately. It cannot be stored.
6. Beer and kvass are not recommended as fertilizers, as they may contain components harmful to plants. It's better to use dry yeast.

Yeast recipes for feeding

Yeast fertilizer is very easy and quick to prepare. Fresh or dry yeast is suitable for the mixture. Every gardener uses their own recipe, of which there are a huge number. Some mix the yeast with plain water, others add various ingredients.

Classic recipe for top dressing

Many gardeners don't bother and opt for the simplest yeast fertilizer recipe. Both live and dry yeast are suitable for making this fertilizer.

When using live yeast, dissolve 200 grams of the substrate in 10 liters of water. Let the solution sit for 24 hours, then water the pepper plants.

A dry yeast mixture is prepared much faster, in about two hours. The solution requires 10 grams of yeast, 10 liters of warm water, and 20 grams of sugar (to speed up fermentation). After 2-3 hours, the fertilizer will be ready for use.

Tip: When using yeast fertilizer, be sure to add wood ash to the soil. This prevents the yeast from affecting the potassium levels in the soil. To do this, sprinkle the ash under the bushes before applying the fertilizer and thoroughly moisten the soil so it is absorbed. Then, water the plants (at the roots) with the prepared yeast solution at a rate of 0.5 liters per bush. If the plant is quite mature, increase the amount of solution to two liters.

Yeast with weeds

Weeds aren't always harmful. Combined with yeast, they make an excellent fertilizer for peppers. Preparing a beneficial solution is easy. Place the mown grass in a metal container, add some crushed breadcrumbs, and 50 grams of diluted yeast. Add 5 liters of water to the mixture and let it ferment for several days. The resulting fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 1 liter per plant.

Yeast in milk

This recipe is rarely used by gardeners because it requires a fair amount of milk, so it's usually replaced with water. The solution requires 200 grams of dry yeast and 5 liters of milk.
First, mix the yeast with a small amount of milk, adding sugar to stimulate the fungus' growth. Stir the mixture thoroughly to eliminate lumps. Place the solution in a warm place for a couple of hours. Then add the remaining milk and 50 liters of warm water. Water the bushes with the prepared fertilizer at a rate of 1 liter per bush.

Yeast with droppings

Every gardener knows about the benefits of chicken manure as an organic fertilizer. And if you mix it with yeast, you get an excellent fertilizer. To prepare it, combine two handfuls of chicken manure, half a cup of sugar, 200 grams of wood ash, and add 100 grams of the main ingredient—yeast. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and let it steep for 2-3 hours. Then dilute the mixture in ten liters of water and water the bell pepper plants (at the roots).

Tips for using yeast feed

• young seedlings require 0.5 liters of yeast solution, adults – 2 liters;
• you can feed with yeast both in open ground and in a greenhouse;
• you can fertilize plants with yeast before the flowering period;
• if you add other organic components to the yeast, the effectiveness of the fertilizer will increase;
• dry yeast prepares faster than fresh yeast.

We prepare yeast ourselves

You don't have to buy ready-made yeast; you can make it at home.

Methods of preparation:

1. Wheat grain starter. Grind the grains, add a couple of tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of flour. Mix thoroughly and simmer for half an hour over low heat. After simmering, let the mixture sit for two days to ferment thoroughly. Mix the prepared substrate with water and use it as a fertilizer for your plants.
2. Hop cone starter. Pour boiling water over the cones and simmer for one hour. Strain the mixture and add 2 tablespoons of flour and a little sugar. Leave to ferment for two days. When fermentation begins to progress, add two boiled potatoes to the mixture. After 24 hours, the mixture can be used as fertilizer at a rate of 1 cup per 10 liters of water.

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Reviews

Maria
My husband and I are big believers in traditional methods. We gave up chemicals a long time ago and haven't regretted it one bit. We've been using yeast as a fertilizer for several years now. It's truly unique! We use it not only for peppers but for other crops as well. The results are immediately visible. The plants straighten out and become juicy. They're so beautiful, tall, and strong! The fruit ripens quickly and evenly! The bushes are disease-free. Overall, yeast is a godsend for anyone who wants to grow a high-quality harvest.

Nikolay
Yeast contains everything plants need. It's also completely harmless, unlike organic fertilizers. It's an excellent alternative to store-bought mineral supplements. And you don't need a lot of money to fertilize an entire garden.

Sofia
For as long as I lived in the city, I thought yeast was used only in cooking. Then, by a twist of fate, we moved to the countryside, started a vegetable garden, and raised livestock. Our land was poor, and the harvest was always so-so. We tried everything to improve its quality. Then, purely by chance, I discovered that yeast can be used as a fertilizer. To say I was surprised is an understatement! At first, I simply didn't believe the stories about the miraculous effects of yeast fertilizer. But then I decided to give it a try... The results amazed me. It turns out that to improve soil fertility and get excellent harvests every year, you only need a few packets of yeast, which costs pennies! Since then, we've used only this type of fertilizer. Sometimes we experiment, adding manure, milk, or eggshells to the mixture. Watching your plants grow healthier is simply magical!

Irina
I've been using yeast fertilizer for several years now. I like it for several reasons. First, the fertilizer's composition is very simple, and I can always be confident in the safety of the ingredients. Second, it's quick to prepare. Third, yeast fertilizer is inexpensive. Fourth, I can always be confident in its effectiveness. I fertilize my peppers once a month, alternating the yeast fertilizer components.