Gardening expert warns that using oats as natural fertiliser could be inviting unwanted rodents to your garden, with cooked oats acting ‘like an alarm bell’ to pests
This could be like ‘ringing a bell’ to mice and rats(Image: Daniel Sztork via Getty Images)
Numerous gardeners rely on fertiliser to enhance both soil quality and plant health, whilst others prefer natural alternatives.
However, not all natural options deliver the results they promise.
Some gardeners claim that scattering oats can not only supply vital nutrients that plants need but also serve as an effective deterrent against various garden pests.
Ben Hilton, founder and editor of The Gardening Fix, has weighed in on whether this approach actually works.
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Viral videos have recently emerged showing oats mixed with cinnamon and ground into a powder to be added to plants, as well as steeped with tea to form liquid plant food.
Whilst oats do contain nutrients that are beneficial for healthy plants, there is one crucial error you should be careful to avoid, reports the Express.
Ben said: “Raw (uncooked) oats can be used to add nutrients to the soil and improve soil structure.
“It’s a rich source of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, however, oats would not provide all trace minerals, such as calcium or magnesium.
“Calcium plays a critical role in cell wall development and nutrient transport within plants, whilst Magnesium supports photosynthesis and overall plant health.”
Oats are an unprocessed cereal that hasn’t been composted, which means gardeners need to understand that applying them straight to their plot “will attract pests and rodents” as any remaining grains break down, creating an environment that encourages bacterial and fungal development.
However, applying them directly to growing areas could potentially attract unwanted pests.
Prepared oats could be especially troublesome, acting “like an alarm bell to rodents”, particularly when cooked with milk, sugars, or fats such as butter.
So, can oats be added to compost?
Uncooked oats can indeed be added to compost heaps where they make a “great addition”.
However, Ben cautioned: “I would never recommend composting any cooked foods.
“The likelihood of attracting rats, mice, or other small rodents is extremely high, especially if the oats were prepared with milk or sugar.”
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