David Wall/Contributing Writer
Powdered milk is made by evaporating milk until only a powder remains. A major benefit for gardeners is the powder is rich in calcium, and other nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, elements all plants need. If you are looking for powdered milk, be sure to read the contents and choose a product that has been fortified with calcium. Next, read the label, and mix with water according to directions. Getting the mixture too strong will NOT help your vegetables. You can put the mixture (not straight milk) in a spray bottle and spray directly on tops and bottoms of foliage, or water the ground around the vegetable plants.
You can use regular or expired 1-2% milk, evaporated and/or powdered milk as long as they’re properly diluted. The proper dilution rate is 50/50. Don’t use whole or skim milk. None of the milk sources should have sugar added.
In addition to providing much needed nutrients to your vegetable plants, it can also increase the amount of chlorophyll molecules by over 20%.
It can also be used as a natural remedy for fungal diseases such as mold, blossom end rot, and powdery mildew. In addition, the mixture, just by its use in watering and foliar spraying can be very effective in reducing fruit rot. Studies have shown that using milk powder mixtures on your vegetable plants can provide a major increase in plant growth and fruit production. Remember, this mixture is basically a fertilizer.
The best uses of a milk mixture seem to be at pre-planting time and when plants are in the seedling stages. Basically, it gives them a “shot in the arm” to provide a great start. In addition to its nutrients, milk is a natural pesticide that will help protect plants from aphid, trips, and spider mites.