Making free fertilisers and feeds out of would-be waste products is one great way to make growing your own fruit, veg & flowers much more affordable. It also reduces waste and helps out the planet, so everyone wins.
But what can you use to make your own fertilisers? I have previously talked about Nettles and Comfrey, but today's subject is banana peels! So, let's jump in.
Why Banana Peels?
The main reason banana peels are touted as a good fertiliser is that they are nutrient-rich, particularly with high potassium levels.
How much potassium ends up in your banana water is up for debate, but many gardeners swear by the DIY feed.
Storing Banana Peels
Before making your Banana fertiliser, you must collect lots of skins. Now, unless you really love bananas, then this could take a while.
So, to stop your peels from decomposing before you use them, I store them in the freezer.
Get a freezer bag, pop your peel in, then add it to the freezer. Every time you get another peel, add it to the bag.
How to Create Banana Peel Fertiliser
Crafting a simple yet effective banana peel fertiliser is a straightforward process.
1. Chop
2. Bottle
3. Add Water
4. Wait
You want to leave your bananas sitting in the after for at least two weeks before using.
Once you are done, strain off the bananas - saving the now yellow water; this will be our feed.
You can add the leftover banana pieces to your compost pile so nothing goes to waste!
When it comes time to feed, dilute your mix with some water. I do this at a roughly 10:1 ratio, 10 parts water for every 1 part feed.
More Banana Peel Uses In The Garden
Banana peel fertilisers are great, but they're not the only way to utilise banana peels in gardening. Discover other clever methods of repurposing this common kitchen waste to boost your garden's growth. Fruit, bananas, and macronutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, and calcium benefit plants - so it is a wise choice to include organic bananas in your gardening practices.
Pest Deterrent
Banana peel fertilizer can be an effective means of controlling pests in your garden. Spraying a diluted solution on plants helps repel bothersome insects such as aphids.
A useful bug trap can be created using banana peels and apple cider vinegar.
By combining a small volume of apple cider vinegar with a few tablespoons of chopped banana peel in a jar, and placing a funnel inside, pests like fruit flies, gnats, and fungus gnats are effectively trapped. Refresh the trap every 48 hours for optimal results.
Bury the Peels
Place a portion of the banana peel in the bottom of each hole or container when transplanting tomatoes and potassium-loving plants.
The peel decomposes rapidly, providing essential nutrients for the plant's growth.
Banana Peel Powder
Banana peel powder is an effective way to fertilise plants. To prepare, simply dry the banana peels in an oven on the lowest setting or let them air-dry in the sun for a few days.
Once dried, cut them into 1-inch pieces, and then crush them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or an old coffee grinder. Store the resulting powder in a sealed jar or bag.
To use banana peel powder as a fertiliser, begin by gently loosening the soil around the base of each plant. Next, sprinkle one or two tablespoons of the powder over the soil, ensuring even distribution.
Lastly, water the plant thoroughly, allowing the decay of the dried banana peel to provide essential nutrients that will help support healthy plant growth.
Banana Peel Vinegar
Banana peel vinegar can be highly beneficial for acid-loving plants like blueberries and hydrangeas. This fermented liquid offers the ideal acidity for such plants, as opposed to standard banana peel fertiliser.
Winter Soil Enhancer
To rejuvenate the garden soil in the winter, mix banana peels into it after the growing season. Over the cold months, these peels decompose, enriching the soil with nutrients.
Incorporate Them into Compost
Utilise your discarded banana peels to enhance your compost. These organic scraps, like other fruit and vegetable waste, are excellent additions to a compost pile.
They decompose faster than most other materials, quickly benefiting the compost heap. So, if you're unsure about what to do with your banana peels, contributing them to compost is a wise choice.
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