We should start by saying that we are not anti-compost. Indeed we have multiple items guides you through the in and out of Composting Process. In a perfect world, everyone would have the time, energy, and space to have their own compost heap or Container, and then use the finished product to help your plants grow.
But for many people and for many reasons, the best composting intentions don’t necessarily mean actually taking the time to compost. It may sound like your free plant nutrition dreams will never come true, but it is not.
There’s a middle ground between not composting at all and a full batch of it: use leftover (uncomposted) food instead. Here are a few examples of foods that can range from nutrition to your plants, courtesy of Michelle Ullman, in an article for BobVila.com.
Banana peels can help plants develop healthy roots
The potassium found in banana peel helps plants transfer water between cells, form healthy roots, support fruit and flower growth, and ward off disease. All you have to do is bury the banana peel outside next to some flowering plants.
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“Be sure to cover it with several inches of soil to prevent insect infestation or odor,” writes Ullman. “When the peel decomposes, it releases its potassium and other nutrients into the soil, which benefits the nearby plants.”
Egg shells provide calcium for plants
Egg shells are replete with calcium, which helps strengthen the plant’s cell walls. Here’s what to do with them, per Ullman:
Rinse the eggshells thoroughly, let them dry, and then mash them with a pestle or similar grinder. Then work a handful of soil bowls into the soil around your plants, whether in the flowerbed or in a bucket.
The nitrogen in coffee helps foliage grow
Using coffee grounds as a plant-based food requires a delicate balance. On the one hand, they contain a lot of nitrogen, which supports leaf development. On the other hand, too much coffee grounds can stunt plant growth due to the caffeine and acidity levels. Here’s Ullman’s advice:
To be on the safe side, never add more than a half-inch layer of coffee grounds around your plants and cover the set with an inch or two of soil to avoid compaction that could prevent water from entering the soil.
And of course, if you ever have the time, space, and / or energy to go into composting, do it. In the meantime, bury the banana peels.
