How to Use Kitchen Waste to Process Plants Without Learning About Composting
To begin with, we are not opposed to compost. In fact, we have several articles walking you through all the ins and outs in the composting process. In an ideal world, everyone would have the time, energy and space to have their own compost pile or container and then use the finished product to help their plants grow.
But for many people, and for many reasons, the best intentions for composting don’t necessarily boil down to actually wasting time on compost. It may seem like your dreams of free plant nutrition will never come true, but they are not.
There is a middle ground between avoiding composting and getting a full batch: use (non-composted) food waste instead. Here are some examples of foods that can go from feeding to your plants, courtesy of Michelle Ullman in an article for BobVila.com .
Banana Peel Helps Plants Form Healthy Roots
The potassium in banana peel helps plants transport water between cells, establish healthy roots, promote fruit and flower growth, and protect against disease. All you have to do is bury the banana peel next to the flowering plants outdoors.
“Make sure to cover it with a few inches of dirt to prevent insect infestation or odor,” Ullman writes. “As the peel decomposes, it releases potassium and other nutrients into the soil for the benefit of nearby plants.”
Eggshells provide plants with calcium
Eggshells are full of calcium, which helps to strengthen plant cell walls. Here’s what to do with them, according to Ulman:
Rinse the eggshell thoroughly, let dry, and then grind with a pestle or similar meat grinder. Then add a handful of shredded seashells to the soil around your plants, whether in your flower bed or container.
The nitrogen in coffee helps foliage grow
Using coffee grounds as a plant food requires a delicate balance. On the one hand, they contain a lot of nitrogen, which contributes to the development of foliage. On the other hand, too much coffee grounds can slow plant growth due to its caffeine content and acidity. Here’s Ulman’s advice:
Just in case, never add more than a half-inch layer of coffee grounds around the plants, and cover the ground an inch or two to avoid compaction that could prevent water from entering the soil.
And of course, if you ever find that you have the time, space, and / or energy to devote yourself entirely to composting, do so. For now, bury the banana peel.