Rice Water

RICE WATER

Rice water is exactly what it sounds like; It’s the water that’s leftover after cooking rice. It might sound odd, but this random substance is actually packed with sought-after nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, and more, according to Reader’s Digest.

Using rice water in the garden is a great way to improve your soil’s structure and nutrient content, as well as keep pests away.

It’s best to use it sparingly. Like all things, too much of a good thing can quickly turn into something negative. To avoid starch build-up, limit your rice water to once a month.

Fermented Rice Water

The fermentation process increases the amount of lactic acid bacteria, which assists with disease resistance.

How to:

Boil the rice on medium-high for about 40 minutes. Now, let it cool, strain the liquid into a container or jar with a mesh sieve, and voila! It’s all ready to go.

To make fermented rice water, start by soaking the rice and straining the resulting water into a jar, leaving space at the top. Take a teaspoon of sugar and four tablespoons of milk, add it to the jar, and stir.

Loosely cover the top of the container with a lid and let it sit for three or four days. Once the mixture looks translucent and smells a bit sour, it should be ready to use in your garden. Water your plants once a fortnight. Do not over water with fermented rice water.