Cucumber skins should be placed in the garden (stock image) (Image: Getty)
We’ve arrived at the time of year when lots of people are starting to spend more time outside but, if you want to boost your outdoor space, you may want to consider putting cucumber peel in your garden. It turns out the simple vegetable boasts many gardening uses, so it’s a good idea to stop throwing it away.
After all, lots of people remove the skins as they can be chewy and tasteless in some instances; however, from now on, you may want to stop tossing them in the food waste bin. Instead, make use of them by placing them in your garden in April.
The skins actually boast more uses than you realise. Previously, it was revealed there’s another reason you may want to place them outside.
It was recently brought to people’s attention on TikTok when Ifzaal, known as Nature with Ifzaal, shared what people really need to know. Alongside the video, he wrote: “A quick and easy gardening tip to help your garden plants grow and provide them with the nutrients that your flowers, plants and even your lawn might need! Dilute this down if you’ve left it in the tub for 48 hours, but after 24 hours it should be fine to use without diluting.
“I love this gardening hack because what better way to look after your garden plants than reusing stuff you already have? So, next time you peel a cucumber, save the skin for your garden. You can also place the skin into your compost bin!”
Read more: Lawns will be lush and green if you scatter simple item in garden in April
Explaining what to do, he added: “This is what happens when you peel a cucumber and then place the peels in a tub like this. Next, fill the tub with water, and place the lid on the top.
“Now, if you leave it for 24 to 48 hours, you’ll be left with a nutrient-rich fertiliser for your garden plants. It’s as easy as that.”
Ifzaal noted it’s actually “gold” for your garden if you’re looking to get it looking gorgeous this summer. Using the peels will bring so many benefits.
He shares all sorts of gardening tips online, and this recent piece of advice is a handy trick to know. Few people realise what a difference it can make.
What’s more is the hack is useful in more ways than one. Just remember that it should be diluted before use, often with a 1:10 ratio (one part mixture to ten parts water) before applying to the soil.
@naturewithifzaal
A quick and easy gardening tip to help your garden plants grow and provide them with the nutrients that your flowers, plants and even your lawn might need! dilute this down if you’ve left it in the tub for 48 hours, but after 24hours it should be fine to use without diluting. I love this gardening hack because what better way to look after your garden plants, than reusing stuff you already have! so next time you peel a cucumber, save the skin for your garden. you can also place the skin into your compost bin! #gardentok #gardening101 #garden #gardenhacks #diy
original sound – naturewithifzaal Why should you do it?
There are a few ways cucumber skins can benefit gardens. To begin, they act as a nutrient-rich fertiliser, as peels contain potassium and phosphorus that help nourish plants, particularly in container gardens.
As well as this they also have another use. They can actually be used to repel pests like ants, slugs and moths, which are deterred by the bitter compounds (cucurbitacins) in the skin.
Soaking peels in water for days will make a nutrient-dense, green fertiliser that can be applied to plants every three weeks to encourage growth. You can also dry peels, as this will transform them into an ash rich in nutrients, which can be sprinkled directly into the soil.
When it comes to keeping bugs away, placing fresh peel strips around the edges of plant pots or in the garden will do the job. This should help to keep ants, slugs and silverfish away.
If you want further advice, contact a professional gardener for help. Sometimes we need assitance with transforming our outdoor spaces.
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