Bananas are rich in minerals and potassium. When you eat one, it’s a real energy booster! The problem is that we don’t know what to do with banana peels… They always end up in the trash… Well, that’s a mistake because there are plenty of uses for banana peels in the garden! Not only is it good for the garden, but it also saves you money.
Indeed, the nutrients contained in the skin serve as fertilizer for plants. But that’s not all! Potassium strengthens the vitality of plants, and their resistance to diseases and promotes their growth. So don’t throw away your banana peels!
Here are 7 uses of banana peels you should know about.
1. For compost
Whether you have a compost heap or a vermicomposter, know that it is advisable to add banana peels to it. They can be whole, chopped, soaked, or in liquid manure. Banana peels provide plenty of essential nutrients for the quality of the compost. If you put whole banana peels, be sure to bury them deeply so as not to attract small animals such as rats or weasels for example.
2. To improve your soil
You can use banana peels to improve the soil in your garden or vegetable patch in the fall. In particular, when you prepare the spring flower beds, or in the winter vegetable plots. You can also put some in the uncultivated soil all winter in preparation for spring. Cut the skins into small pieces, put them in the ground, and stir everything. The pieces should be scattered all over the ground. If you put in whole hides, be sure to bury them deep under the mulch so as not to attract small nocturnal mammals.
3. Compost Component
Ben_Kerckx via PixabayDump some chopped peels into the compost pile with other materials or your worm bin. Cutting them up enables them to break down faster. Some people like to put the peels in a blender first to make a slurry, and then apply the compost to soil or mulch.
3. Leaf Rub
To shine up the leaves on your large indoor or outdoor plants, rub the inner part of the peel on the leaves. You’re feeding and cleaning them at the same time!
4. Send Bugs Off
To repel pests like fleas or aphids, you can bury some cut peels in the soil under the plant. Small pieces of dehydrated peel laid out on a platter will kill fleas with their enzymes. You may also turn the diluted tea recipe above into a spray and spritz your plants with it.
5. To stimulate seedlings
If you’re planting seeds outdoors, you can give them a little boost by adding a banana peel. For this, dig a trench 5 cm deep long enough to put the banana peel in it lengthwise. Lay the banana peels flat with the insides facing up, then place the seeds on top. Cover with a little well-aerated soil, water lightly, and do as usual to take care of the seedlings. With this enriched, well-drained soil, the seeds will sprout and benefit from the fertilizer created by the rotting banana peels.
