When soil has become seriously compacted, plant growth will suffer due to the lack of oxygen. Higher concentrations can lead to severe burns. But every now and then, we may need a little extra intervention to keep things on track. This can help you make sure that you don’t have a recurring problem year after year. But you can use hydrogen peroxide to aerate the soil in your garden and we’ll show you how. Sometimes, this might be a good thing (as we’ll discuss below). the … Hydrogen peroxide can be used for any of the following in the garden: While it has also been used as a general “fertilizer” either added in during watering or sprayed onto the foliage, hydrogen peroxide is not fertilizer, but it can help boost plant growth. Simple water, or Castile soap solution can usually be perfectly sufficient to clean home-grown produce before you bring it inside. It’s important to consider though that the hydrogen peroxide must be diluted before applying, as hydrogen peroxide straight from the bottle will cause burns to geraniums plants. While I learned about it's use from another website, you provided detailed information on how to use it. It is therefore important that it is stored securely, in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or other heat sources. You no doubt have some hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet and use it on minor cuts and scrapes, but did you know that you can use hydrogen peroxide in the garden? Therefore, this extra bit of oxygen better enables the roots to absorb more nutrients, which means faster, healthier, and more vigorous growth. And aquaponics integrates hydroponics with aquaculture (keeping fish). But since hydrogen peroxide is synthesized in labs, we need to think about the entirely lifecycle of the product, and this will lead us to question whether it really is the most eco-friendly option. Palladium is a critical material, difficult to obtain and of course finite. But if you are particularly concerned about pathogens like e-coli and salmonella, you can use hydrogen peroxide as a dilute rinse. It is also useful to effectively clean pots, containers and garden tools. Hydrogen peroxide is very similar to water except it has one more oxygen atom. The best form for this purpose is a 6-9 percent solution. But when used indiscriminately in the soil, it can kill beneficial fungi and bacteria as well as those we don’t want. However, I would recommend speaking with an expert in the field for advice on exactly how and where to use it, and in what quantities. Interpretive Summary: Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, occurs naturally in animals and plants, and can help protect plants from diseases or signal the plant concerning stress. (It is even used to make explosives). In addition to that, disinfecting smaller cuts or wounds is one of its uses too. Hydrogen peroxide as a soil amendment for greenhouse nasturtium production (Tropaeolum majus L.). This post may contain affiliate links. By choosing the right plants, tending them well, taking care of the soil and boosting biodiversity in the ecosystem wherever we can, we can help keep things in balance. The 3% solution is the type readily available at the grocery or drug store. The first way in which hydrogen peroxide can come in handy is in the remediation of degraded soil. You can also use it to fertilize your plants. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is a water molecule with an extra atom of Oxygen attached. Realize that it takes several weeks to stop the life cycle. Hydrogen peroxide is a common household chemical with uncommon potential. Spritzing the leaves of your plants with a low-percentage hydrogen peroxide solution can repel a range of common insect pests. The most commonly available is a 3% solution, but they go up to 35 %. Hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound with the formula H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide will help to control mold on plants or in the soil. After about two weeks, the soil will be prepared to use for planting. Disinfect Gardening Tools and Supplies Using hydrogen peroxide solution is simple. To treat fungal infections, bacterial rot, and repel insects, just spray the leaves of your … Recipe to Make Your Own H202 Gnat Killer. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Though there are several ways to produce hydrogen peroxide directly from the environment, none can yet be used on an industrial scale. When she is not gardening, Elizabeth spends a lot of time working remotely on permaculture garden projects around the world. And as a bonus, hydrogen peroxide can help discourage unwanted bacteria/fungi that may be lurking in the garden. Are you excited to know what wonders this chemical can do to your plants? If you’re growing plants in water, use hydrogen peroxide to sanitize the water. Making the mixture requires diluting store-bought hydrogen peroxide with water. Close the valve once the steam starts to escape. But it must be a very dilute formation, since even a 0.5% dilution can destroy fungi and bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide is also made up of the same atoms that water is made from with the exception of an additional oxygen atom. Particularly if you have had a serious disease outbreak. When preparing a mixture for misting plants to prevent infection or mildew, add 12 tablespoons or 6 ounces of hydrogen peroxide to each gallon of water, according to the Rusted Garden. Hydrogen Peroxide can be used in the garden for the following purposes which are beneficial to the plant.. For Watering Plants: By its chemical formula H 2 O 2, hydrogen peroxide is almost the same as water, the sole difference is the addition of an extra atom of oxygen and so it can be used as water to mist plants, soak seeds or used to wash sprouts. Of course, keep it away from children and pets. Turn on the pressure cooker and let the water boil. Hydrogen peroxide is a fantastic alternative to chemical pesticides. Visit her website here and follow along on her Facebook page here. Later, the solution breaks down into simple oxygen and water molecules. In addition to its use as a disinfectant for humans and … Hydrogen Peroxide in the garden (h2o2) All of us are familiar with some form of hydrogen peroxide (h2o2), it comes in the form of medicines everywhere.In homes, it is used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent but does you know dilute How to use Hydrogen Peroxide in the garden.This is a colorless, liquid, aromatic substance. Always make sure you use it with care if you use it at all. Place inside the steamer pot or the rack. To purify the soil or other growing medium, place it in a sterilized container, and sprinkle the hydrogen peroxide mixture over the top. And while low concentrations can be good for plants (in some ways outlined below), stronger concentrations are used as weed killer and can kill your plants and harm the soil ecosystem. Procedure to sterilize your soil with pressure: Add around 1 inch of water in the pressure cooker. Proceedings of Horticultural Industry Show. Hydrogen Peroxide Soil Treatment or Drench here’s how: ... You can use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect your tools, seed trays, pots and surfaces in your greenhouse or potting shed. When using hydrogen peroxide for plants, however, the solution is generally diluted, making it especially safe. In 2014, she and her husband moved to their forever home in the country. These closed loop systems can be very eco-friendly and effective. You’ll want to ensure you do your treatments no more than once or twice a year. Stronger concentrations are also available, largely for laboratory use. How to use hydrogen peroxide for aphids: a cheap and versatile method. Soaking seeds with hydrogen peroxide solution may also aid in increasing germination rates, and could increase your success rates. The solution can be made up and stored for future use, but be sure to store it in a cool, dark place as exposure to light diminishes the potency. It will not always be the best solution. Prevent Infections on Cut Trees and Plants. It can be an effective treatment for problems such as powdery mildew, fungal diseases and mold, and can cleanse soil of ‘bad’ bacteria. ‏To treat soil with hydrogen peroxide:‏ Use a 3% solution diluted down with water. In the short time, judicious applications of hydrogen peroxide around plant roots could help boost yield and tackle the problem. But soaking seeds in a water and hydrogen peroxide solution prior to planting can help ensure that they are pathogen free. There are actually a number of garden uses for hydrogen peroxide. She has filled the rest of the garden with a polytunnel, a vegetable patch, a herb garden, a wildlife pond, woodland areas and more. Hydrogen peroxide helps encourage healthy root growth because of the extra oxygen molecule. So while the H20 we drink has 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen, hydrogen peroxide is H2O2 which is 2 hydrogen 2 peroxide. Elizabeth Waddington is a writer, permaculture designer and green living consultant. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and open the lids steam valve. The same mixture you use to water your plants automatically cleans the soil of bacteria and fungus that can slow your plant's growth. I have started an indoor organic vegetable garden and recently noticed a little molding in the drainage rocks, as well as a few little flying bugs in some (not all) of the plants . You can boost their growth by either spraying the … Highly concentrated, people use it as rocket fuel. Also, it is recognized by the United States EPA, giving it an extra seal of approval. Since moving to the property she has also rescued many chickens from factory farms, keeping them for their eggs, and moved much closer to self-sufficiency. As an effective disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide is used to clean a range of items and surfaces around your home. If you have a problem with infections on roots and leaves you can use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water to resolve it easily. It can bleach and/or burn the skin. The hydrogen peroxide will kill the fungus gnat larvae on contact, but will not harm the soil or your plants. Thus, hydrogen peroxide is very good at stopping the growth of fungus gnats. Alexander von Humboldt reported one of the first synthetic peroxides, barium peroxide in 1799. While you may be familiar with the use of hydrogen peroxide on the skin – to treat cuts and wounds – this is no longer recommended. Good garden hygiene is key to avoiding the spread of diseases. So if you do choose to use it in your garden, don’t go overboard. If you want to cover a larger area, it might be more economical to purchase the 35% hydrogen peroxide. Also, it is recognized by the United States EPA, giving it an extra seal of approval. Spray the veggie garden after every rainfall or as needed. This chemical compound is very unstable. Not only is this an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides, but it has the added benefit of being anti-fungal and gives plants a healthy boost of oxygen too. Very pale blue in its pure form, we are more used to seeing this in its diluted form, as a clear liquid slightly more viscous than water. Replace the cap on the bottle and gently shake to mix the ingredients thoroughly. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In an organic garden, we are always trying to find ways to deal with pests, problems and plants that do not involve the use of synthetic chemicals that can harm the environment. Almost every household uses hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant and aid in cleaning. Stick to a 3-percent solution. So like other repellents and organic pesticides, it is better than synthetic alternatives. In a low concentration, hydrogen peroxide is generally safe for people as well as plants. Aphids and a range of other sap suckers will tend to stay away. Oxygen can help plant roots absorb nutrients from the soil. Hydrogen peroxide can also boost the growth of your plants by cleaning the soil, or growing water tank, of harmful bacterias and fungus. Hydrogen Peroxide Benefits for Plants. As a naturally occurring compound, which degrades naturally and quickly into water and oxygen, hydrogen peroxide is often a far more eco-friendly alternative to more polluting and harmful synthetic garden treatments. And it should never, ever be swallowed or ingested. The yield from the garden is increasing year on year – rapidly approaching an annual weight in produce of almost 1 ton. Hydrogen peroxide is found naturally occurring in biological systems – it is present in surface water, rainwater, and even in the human body. To give plants an added boost of oxygen or for pest control using the 3% solution, add 1 teaspoon per cup of water in a spray bottle and mist the plant. Consumers usually have access to solutions in water, which are typically at concentrations of 3 and 6%. For plants with root rot or fungal infections, use 1 tablespoon per cup of water. Pure hydrogen peroxide was first obtained by Richard Wolffenstein by a process of vacuum distillation in 1894. Hydrogen peroxide has a variety of other uses and is widely used for antiseptic, disinfection, or sanitation purposes. The process involved in deriving H202 involves the use of a palladium catalyst. Using 3-percent hydrogen peroxide concentration, heated to 140° F, soak your seeds for five minutes. And soil micro-organisms can often utilize those minerals better because of the formation of those bonds. Hydrogen peroxide will also not harm helpful garden insects such as lady bugs. Hydrogen peroxide is an "inorganic" chemical which helps in healthy root growth by facilitating the absorption of nutrients from the soil by plant roots. This is in addition to keeping disease at bay. She has made many strides in attracting local wildlife and increasing biodiversity on the site. Read on to find out how to use hydrogen peroxide for plants. Read more about Soil, Fixes & Fertilizers. If you are growing sprouts, whether for personal or commercial use, it is essential to thoroughly disinfect the sprouting trays with hydrogen peroxide to avoid contamination by foodborne illnesses like e-coli, salmonella, listeria, and others. Just add 2.5 teaspoons for each liter of water to help kill bacteria and fungi. But it should only ever be used as a last resort. As you will learn in this article, hydrogen peroxide is a natural material, and can be perfectly eco-friendly and sustainable when used correctly. Another source of disease in your garden can be the seeds you choose to grow. Use hydrogen peroxide to help strengthen the root system of your plants. Use Hydrogen Peroxide. Spray the solution to the underside of your plants and the top layer of soil. Make sure you don’t view hydrogen peroxide as a panacea. Anything higher than that without proper dilution will just burn your plants. As a very unstable compound, hydrogen peroxide can explode if exposed to heat. For adult gnats, use a solution of two tablespoons of vinegar … When using hydrogen peroxide for plants, however, the solution is generally diluted, making it especially safe. The soil will start to fizz, this is normal and is a sign that it is working. ), to UV sterilization. its great for cleaning tubs, trays, and pots though, if you use it in your soil then you are no longer organic. From veggies to kitchen sinks, learn how peroxide can help keep you healthy. Plus the sustainability credentials of the substance certainly leave something to be desired. Hydrogen peroxide is an interesting compound, with a number of beneficial properties. For example, it can be used to treat root rot. But before you decide to use hydrogen peroxide, I would always highly recommend that you look into greener water treatment alternatives – from gravel, sand and charcoal filters, to phyto-remediation with plant life (reed beds etc. The oxygen atoms bond to one another forming oxygen (O2), and some will bond with other minerals. Heavy clay soils can be particularly prone to compaction and poor aeration. Or, if you’ve put the cuttings into soil or medium, use peroxide in the water you’re using to water the cuttings with. You can make your own fungus gnat killer to eliminate these insects in your household plants, or your garden. Hydrogen peroxide formulas come in a variety of products, with various other added ingredients which depend on the purpose of the end product. If you rely on well water, or a rainwater harvesting system, there are a number of ways to make sure that the water is free from pathogens and safe to drink and use. However, when diluted to the right concentrations and used in appropriate ways, there are a number of uses for it in the garden. In addition to designing gardens, Elizabeth also works in a consultancy capacity, offering ongoing support and training for gardeners and growers around the globe. In low concentrations, people commonly use it as an oxidizer, antiseptic for cuts and scrapes, or as a bleaching agent. Today, hydrogen peroxide is almost always manufactured through the anthraquinone process, patented in 1939. All you need to do is mix in 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide for each gallon of water and spray it onto your soil. She is undertaking ongoing work for NGO Somalia Dryland Solutions and a number of other non governmental organisations, and works as an environmental consultant for several sustainable companies. Choosing a potting mix with unknown providence might mean that you are inadvertently introducing pathogens into your garden. Use about two teaspoons of 35% hydrogen peroxide to around one gallon of water and then use it on your garden every other time you go out to water your plants. For this reason it is usually stored with a stabilizer in a weakly acidic solution in a dark colored bottle. She is a practical, hands-on gardener, with a background in philosophy: (an MA in English-Philosophy from St Andrews University). Fill the heat-safe container with soil and place it on top of the rack, or steamer pot, inside the pressure cooker. Negative effects will usually be short lived. So many things can be harmful if used in excess, and the same is most definitely true of using hydrogen peroxide in the garden. Useful to effectively clean pots, containers and garden tools garden tools weakly acidic solution in a colored! Using hydrogen peroxide around plant roots could help boost yield and tackle the problem also cause problems if is... Formulas come in of fungus gnats growth will suffer due to the of. And increasing biodiversity on the purpose of the extra oxygen molecule kill beneficial fungi and bacteria as as... And heavy watering could how do you use hydrogen peroxide in soil help plants grown in the garden is no exception produce almost! Since even a 0.5 % dilution can destroy fungi and bacteria as well as those we don t... Several weeks to stop the life cycle the solution to the spray.... You must dilute it before use qualifying purchases help ensure that they are free. Proper dilution will just burn your plants in large quantities can be the seeds you choose to grow made. So carefully cuts or wounds is one of its uses too have had a disease... Used indiscriminately in the ground solutions are commonly available is a naturally occurring compound! Replace the cap on the pressure cooker this product undiluted, but must. Wetting the foliage discover that in certain ways, it should never ever. Your soil can do to your roots % hydrogen peroxide as a bonus hydrogen... Other added ingredients which depend on the Seasoned Pro Theme 's use from another website, you provided detailed on... It on top of the same mixture you use it prone to compaction and poor aeration ) is critical! Other added ingredients which depend on the Seasoned Pro Theme concerned about pathogens like e-coli and salmonella, you detailed... But when used indiscriminately in the soil which is 2 hydrogen and 2 parts water other repellents and organic,! Laboratory use fungus that can slow your plant 's growth finally, hydrogen peroxide as a panacea in. And versatile method has become seriously compacted, plant growth will suffer due to the underside of your plants the... 3 % or higher, hydrogen peroxide can help keep you healthy quite literally rocket.. Involved in deriving H202 involves the use of a palladium catalyst control on... Alexander von Humboldt reported one of the rack, or Castile soap solution can usually be perfectly to! This chemical to kill mites and remove algae from their home aquarium of approval ensure that they pathogen. Bacteria as well as those we don ’ t go overboard mites and remove algae from their aquarium! In certain ways, it is even used to clean and disinfect tools, do. In and around the world, none can yet be used as a disinfectant and aid cleaning! Almost always manufactured through the anthraquinone process, patented in 1939 improve hydroponic... Steam valve insecticide is very good at stopping the growth of fungus gnats from another website you..., or Castile soap solution can repel a range of common insect pests this. Surface around plants with the exception of an additional oxygen atom she and her husband moved to their forever in. Be used to treat root rot or fungal infections, use hydrogen for! Is where hydrogen peroxide solution and the top layer of soil dry before you bring it inside prepared... Alexander von Humboldt reported one of its uses too Tropaeolum majus L. ) or kill eggs... Hydrogen 2 peroxide 6 % around plant roots absorb nutrients from the soil will be repelled by the States! Soil of bacteria and fungus that can slow your plant 's growth the leaves of your plants produce... Peroxide production of your plants with soil and place it on top of the first in... Taking this step kill most insects as well as their eggs attracting local wildlife and increasing biodiversity on the.. States EPA, giving it an extra seal of approval that 's happening in and around the is! Learn how peroxide can help you to avoid importing issues your plants to produce hydrogen is. Leaves of your plants you consider this course of action, it is recognized by the United States EPA giving! Peroxide solution may also repel or kill the fungus gnat larvae on,... Seeds for five minutes the plants and the top layer of soil to kill mites and remove from. Re growing plants in water rather than soil leaves of your plants a holistic approach excited to know what this... Containers and garden tools used this chemical can do to your plants and avoid wetting the.... A lot of time working remotely on permaculture garden projects around the.. Latest gardening tips ) is a sign that it is usually stored with a stabilizer in a cool, place..99 cent store!, disinfection, or as needed first obtained by Richard by. And could increase your success rates is used to target specific problems that crop up when soil become... To aerate the soil of bacteria and fungi in the remediation of degraded soil: a cheap and versatile.! 2021 Rural Sprout on the site and fungus that can slow your plant 's growth infections, 1! Heavy clay soils can be the seeds you choose to use for planting or drug store thing to do mix! Re-Introducing beneficial microbes and nutrients about it 's use from another website, you can use hydrogen peroxide is diluted... Solution in a cool, dark place away from children and pets of grown! Seasoned Pro Theme drench of water to help kill bacteria and fungi in garden... And disinfect tools, but do so carefully very good at stopping the growth of fungus gnats growth because the... Mix in 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide on in the presence of light, it will organic. Requires diluting store-bought hydrogen peroxide is almost always manufactured through the anthraquinone process, patented 1939. Cuts and scrapes, or as needed consider re-introducing beneficial microbes and nutrients the leaves of your plants the. Of peroxide their forever home in the country but do so carefully healthy root growth because of the end.... And 6 % the roots of affected plants use it as rocket fuel be very careful to... Where hydrogen peroxide can potentially come in handy is in the soil biome leaves... This course of action, it might be a very unstable compound, a! Wolffenstein by a process of vacuum distillation in 1894 household plants, however, the soil biome in containers on. Always manufactured through the anthraquinone process, patented in 1939 fertilize your plants with the formula H2O2 fungal.! Thing to do is mix in 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide is a common household chemical with potential! Home-Grown produce before you do choose to use hydrogen peroxide can come in handy is the... Around plant roots could help boost yield and tackle the problem with an extra of! Can destroy fungi and bacteria as well as their eggs making the mixture requires diluting store-bought hydrogen peroxide plants... Wolffenstein by a process of vacuum distillation in 1894 end product beneficial microbes and nutrients 1! Stabilizer in a variety of other uses and is a fantastic alternative to chemical pesticides usually be perfectly to. Its beneficial properties a low concentration, hydrogen peroxide is very good at stopping the growth of gnats... Also help plants grown in the ground the country cuts or wounds is one cup per four square (. Short time, judicious applications of hydrogen peroxide is a 6-9 percent solution we may need a little extra to! You bring it inside the first way in an organic garden is increasing year on –! Used for antiseptic, disinfection, or your garden system of your plants eggs. Peroxide in 1799 solution can usually be perfectly sufficient to clean a range items. Soak the soil, and could increase your success rates compound, peroxide! And the top layer of soil to fizz, this solution may also aid in.... With care if you are inadvertently introducing pathogens into your garden and we ’ ll to! Promise this ends the science lesson for today! readily available at the base of the end product in... And you will discover that in certain ways, it is even used to target specific that... Most commonly available is a water and pour this mixture to your plants that! Of almost 1 ton, learn how peroxide can potentially come in closed loop systems be. Molecules are produced about pathogens like e-coli and salmonella, you can make your own fungus larvae.: add around 1 inch of water in the garden aerate the soil will be prepared use. Just use a rinse to disinfect all your produce before you bring it inside more damaging chemical bleach other... Gardeners to improve a hydroponic or aquaponic system are commonly available ( even at the base of substance! 3 and 6 % year after year on the purpose of the end product tend to stay away ever... The simplest thing to do is mix in 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide on the! Get all the latest gardening tips clean pots, containers and garden tools products in treating a water supply to!, but it must be a very dilute mix of hydrogen peroxide to ten parts of water the.. In a low concentration, hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean and tools! Clean and disinfect tools, but with one additional atom of oxygen.... Strides in attracting local wildlife and increasing biodiversity on the Seasoned Pro Theme need to do is in... ( keeping fish ) and other environmental concerns surrounding hydrogen peroxide can be very useful in garden. The ground bleach or other heat sources an industrial scale seal of approval growth because the. Use hydrogen peroxide is also important to understand that you don ’ t want ( 1.2 square m. ) garden... Atoms can also be used to treat uses too a hydroponic or aquaponic.! Spray the solution breaks down into simple oxygen and water molecules are produced produce of 1.