I’m a gardening expert & my 50p fruit trick will transform your garden and brighten it up instantly, ready for Summer
A GARDENING expert has revealed a 50p fruit trick which will transform your garden and brighten it up instantly.
With the warmer days approaching, Brits are eager to start getting their gardens ready.
In the UK, an estimated 27 million people enjoy gardening as a hobby according to Cladco Decking.
And as that is around 42 per cent of the country, professional gardening experts are out in full force giving their top tips to the country to make the hobby as enjoyable as it can be.
From deadheading daffodils, to reusing plastic kitchen leftovers – experts have discovered tips and tricks for ensuring your garden can work to its full potential.
And what’s more important is sustainability.
Food storage expert at Storage Box Shop, Sarah Lawson has discovered a simple fruit hack, which is the use of orange peels.
Sarah has found that the orange peel has a number of different advantages to it when it comes to gardening.
Sarah Lawson says: “The versatility of orange peels extends far beyond the kitchen.
“By incorporating them into your garden practices, you not only contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly gardening approach but also unlock a host of benefits for your plants and soil.”
Here, she offers a blend of practical tips and creative applications to inspire you to look at this common kitchen waste in a new light.
Enriching the Soil
Orange peels are a fantastic addition to your compost pile.
Being rich in nitrogen, they help in creating a balanced compost.
However, it’s crucial to chop them up into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition process and prevent any pests from being attracted to the peels.
Direct Soil Enrichment
You can also incorporate small pieces of orange peels directly into the soil.
They slowly decompose, releasing nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients that plants need to thrive.
Natural Pest Repellent
The strong scent of citrus in orange peels is unappealing to many garden pests, including ants and aphids.
Scatter small pieces of peels around plants to keep these pests at bay.
Cat Repellent
If neighbourhood cats treat your garden like their personal playground, orange peels can be a gentle deterrent.
Cats dislike the citrus scent, and sprinkling peels around your garden can discourage them from visiting.
Plant Health Boost
Soak orange peels in water for a few days to create a nutrient-rich “tea.”
This concoction can be used to water plants, providing them with a vitamin boost that promotes overall health and vigour.
Garden Beautification
Use dried orange peels as a decorative mulch for your garden beds.
Not only do they add a pop of colour and a pleasant aroma, but they also help retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth.
8 ways to get plants for free
The Sun's gardening expert Veronica Lorraine says:
- Dig for victory: Councils up and down the country are currently turning your green waste into compost – and are desperate to give it away for nothing. Just google ‘free compost council’ to find your local spot.
- Call on the community: Community Gardens and Orchards host open days – where they get rid of surplus plants and give great expert advice for free.
- Swap your seeds: Local seed swaps take place regularly across the UK – where you exchange packets you never got round to using – or seeds straight from your garden – in return for other people’s.
- Search online: Online marketplaces like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle are a haven for cheap or free garden products and plants – you can even bag bigger items like unwanted greenhouses and second hand tools for nothing.
- Listen and learn: Listen to gardening podcasts. Usually hosted by very clever gardening folk, they offer a wealth of advice on getting free plants, how to turn your garden into Eden.
- Join the club: Join a local gardening club – you’ll be amazed at the joy you can get from sharing your top tips, learning new tricks and swapping plants. The RHS has a club locator on their site.
- Social media: Garden influencers on social media can be great inspiration – and more and more are tuning into the cost of living crisis with money saving advice and realistic reviews.
Most importantly they’re often giving away free stuff in competitions and have loads of top tips. - Ask Around: Just ask your local community – via street whatsapp groups, school mum get togethers and local websites – and you’ll unearth a whole gang of garden enthusiasts desperate to get rid of all the plants they grew in their greenhouse and now have absolutely no room for.
Wildlife Attraction
Transform your orange peels into natural bird feeders. Fill half an orange peel with birdseed and hang it on a tree.
This eco-friendly feeder not only attracts birds but also adds a charming touch to your garden.
Creative Planters
Use half an orange peel as a biodegradable pot for starting seeds. Once the seedlings are ready, you can plant them directly in the garden, peel and all.
The peel will decompose, enriching the soil around the new plant.