Gardeners can use lots of products to help their plants thrive, but one you can use is something that commonly goes in the bin without being used again.
A gardening expert has shared how you can use banana peels after eating your bananas to help tomato plants develop strongly, giving them a good boost.
Martin Chaplin, Head of Horticulture at Hedges Direct, has explained exactly how you can get positive results from using your leftovers.
Banana peels can help tomato plants thrive (Image: Getty)
The expert, who has more than 35 years of experience in the horticultural world, told Newsquest: “Banana peels can be a useful natural addition to the garden, particularly for tomato plants, as they contain nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus, which support flowering and fruit development.
“However, they work best when composted or chopped into small pieces and mixed into the soil, rather than simply being placed whole around the base of plants.”
Banana peels don’t “replace a balanced fertiliser entirely”, but they’re an easy way “to recycle kitchen waste and give tomato plants a gentle nutrient boost during the growing season.”
Using banana peel in your compost
Banana peel can also be used in your compost, so think twice when you next go to bin it.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) explains that you can use banana skins in three ways.
It says: “The best way to use banana peel is to add it to your compost.
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“Ideally chop or tear into small pieces to speed up decomposition, but you can also add bits direct into the soil.
“Bury them under mulch or in planting holes where you can’t see them, but decay microbes get a good feed.
“As they break down, banana skins contribute a range of nutrients and organic matter that supports healthy plant growth and soil structure.
“This includes potassium (K), which is the key ingredient in tomato feeds – promoting flowering and therefore fruit.
“They also contain a useful amount of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus.”
Banana peel can also be used to “make plant feed” and “ripen fruit”.
You can find out more about using banana skins in the garden at the RHS website.
Martin shared some more tips for gardeners: “There are several similar low-cost garden hacks that can support healthy growth and help protect plants naturally.
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“Crushed eggshells, for example, are often scattered around vulnerable plants as their rough texture can help deter slugs and snails from crossing into borders or vegetable beds.
“Another popular trick is using cooled, unsalted vegetable cooking water to hydrate plants, as it can contain small amounts of nutrients released during boiling.
“These kinds of methods won’t transform a garden overnight, but combined with healthy soil, regular watering and good sunlight, they can all contribute to stronger and more sustainable plant growth.”
What’s your favourite garden tip that others might not know? Tell us in the comments.
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