6 Fruit and Vegetable Peels That Make Excellent Organic Fertilisers For Your Plants

Think twice before tossing those fruit and veggie peels! What seems like waste is actually a treasure trove of nutrients waiting to transform your garden. Rich in essentials like potassium, nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium, these everyday scraps can help your plants grow stronger and healthier - naturally. Plus, it's an eco-friendly way to reduce waste and nurture your green space. Here are six common peels that make fantastic organic fertilisers .

1. Orange Peels: Citrus Power for Soil and Pest Control

Dried orange peels are a double treat for your garden. Loaded with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, they nourish plant roots and improve soil health. Bonus? Their zesty aroma and natural oils like d-limonene act as a barrier against ants and aphids.

2. Cucumber Peels: Nature’s Pest Shield

Got cucumber scraps? Use them to keep pests like ants, mites, and moths at bay. The bitter compound cucurbitacin repels insects naturally. Lay the peels near plants or on windowsills, or whip up a cucumber water spray to give your plants a gentle nutrient lift.

3. Potato Peels: A Multi-Purpose Fertiliser

Rich in key nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, potato peels are a compost hero. Use them as-is in compost, boil them into a nourishing plant tea, grind them for a slow-release powder, or spread them as much for a long-term nutrient boost.

4. Banana Peels: A Potassium-Rich Treat

Banana peels are gold for flowering and fruit-bearing plants. Packed with potassium, they can be composted, chopped and used as mulch, or steeped into fertiliser tea - just make sure to keep them buried or blended to avoid attracting pests.

5. Onion Peels: Quick-Acting Nutrient Boosters

Don’t overlook onion skins! They break down fast, delivering potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus directly to your soil. Add them to your compost bin or bury them near roots to energise your plants with minimal effort.

6. Apple Peels: Sweet Nutrition for Plant Growth

Apple peels contain calcium and potassium, essential for strong cell development. Let them decompose naturally or brew them into a mild fertiliser tea to pour over your plants. It’s an easy way to enhance growth without attracting unwanted insects.

Feeding your plants doesn’t have to mean buying expensive fertilisers. With just a little effort, your kitchen scraps can become your garden’s best friend. It’s a simple, sustainable way to nourish the earth - one peel at a time.