Though it’s common knowledge that overripe bananas can be frozen in an airtight container or zip-lock bag for use in smoothies or baking, you might be surprised to learn that banana peels actually benefit your plants.
With these easy tips that will help you save money and lessen the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, get ready to level up your waste warrior and plant-parent status.
What’s So Good About Banana Peel?
Banana peels contain:
Calcium: Banana peels, as you may know, are high in calcium, which promotes root growth in plants. For cell division and elongation, which are both essential for root growth, calcium is crucial. Additionally, it improves the soil’s ability to retain nutrients and water, which benefits the soil’s structure.
Iron: Iron is an important mineral for plants that can be found in banana peels. It is an important part of photosynthesis, the process plants use to turn light energy into chemical energy.
Magnesium is an important part of chlorophyll, the green pigment that absorbs light energy during photosynthesis. As a result, plants need the right amount of magnesium to make food efficiently.
Sulfur: Banana peels also have sulfur in them, which helps plants grow in a number of ways. Some amino acids and proteins are made with the help of sulfur, which helps plants grow strong roots. Also, sulfur naturally kills pests, which can help keep them away and keep plants from getting harmed.
Phosphorus: Banana peels also have phosphorus, which is an important nutrient for plant growth and development. Phosphorus is an important mineral for many biological processes in plants, such as flowering, fruiting, and seed germination.
Plants use it to make energy, share genetic information, and grow strong root systems. For healthy growth and the highest yields, the soil must have the right amount of phosphorus.
Potassium: Potassium is another important nutrient that can be found in banana peels and helps plants stay healthy in a number of ways. It controls how much water the plant takes in, how nutrients get to the plant, and how enzymes work.
Potassium also helps plants become more resistant to diseases and pests, makes them better able to handle drought, and helps fruits grow. In addition, it helps keep many physiological processes in plants under control, such as photosynthesis and protein synthesis.
The main thing is that banana peels are full of nutrients that your indoor plants and vegetable garden will love.
How To Make Banana Peel Liquid Fertilizer?
Here are five simple steps to make banana peel liquid fertilizer
Prepare the Banana Peels: Begin by collecting banana peels from organic bananas. Organic bananas are preferred because they haven’t been treated with chemicals that could potentially harm your plants.
Once you have the peels, slice them into smaller pieces. Cutting them into smaller pieces increases the surface area exposed to water, allowing for better extraction of nutrients.
Soak the Peels: Place the sliced banana peels into a suitable container, such as a 5-gallon bucket. Fill the container with warm water, ensuring that all the peels are fully submerged.
Warm water helps to accelerate the extraction process by encouraging the release of nutrients from the peels. Cover the container with a lid or cloth to prevent debris from falling in and to minimize evaporation.
Allow for Steeping: This step involves letting the banana peels soak in the warm water for a period of 2-3 days. During this time, the water will gradually absorb the nutrients present in the banana peels, creating a nutrient-rich solution.
The longer you allow the peels to steep, the more concentrated the solution will become. This prolonged soaking period ensures that the liquid fertilizer is infused with a potent blend of nutrients.
Strain the Solution: After the designated steeping period, it’s time to separate the liquid fertilizer from the solid remnants of the banana peels. To do this, use a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or even a simple sieve.
Pour the contents of the container through the strainer into another container, allowing the liquid to flow through while trapping the solid pieces of banana peel. This step ensures that you’re left with a smooth liquid fertilizer free of any solid particles.
Dilute and Apply: The final step involves diluting the concentrated banana peel tea to a suitable strength for application to your plants. Add water to the liquid fertilizer, adjusting the ratio to achieve the desired concentration.
The diluted solution can then be applied to the soil around your plants. Ensure thorough coverage to deliver nutrients to the root zone. Additionally, consider using the solution for foliar application by spraying it onto the leaves of your plants.
This allows for direct absorption of nutrients through the foliage, supplementing the plant’s nutrient uptake.
Related Articles:
- Homemade Liquid Fertilizer from Onion Peel and Rice Flour: Boosting Plant Growth Naturally
- How To Add Fertilizer To Soil After Planting?
Other Ways To Use Banana Peel In Your Garden As Fertilizer
Here are a few more ways you can add banana peels to your garden, and keep it as natural as possible.
Cut Up The Peels And Add Them Right To The Soil In Your Garden
To do this, cut your banana peels into 1/4-inch pieces. Chopping them will start the composting process and let some of the vitamins and minerals in the peels work. Put them in the ground anywhere from 4 inches to just below the soil’s surface.
If you want to bury them a few inches deep, do it before you plant your vegetables there, or do it somewhere you won’t hurt the roots of your plants. As the peels break down, the vitamins will get to the roots, giving your plants an extra boost of nutrients that will make them happy.
Put The Banana Peels You Don’t Need In A Compost Pile
Throw away any leftover banana peels in your compost pile if you want to use them in your garden as a means of providing food for your red wigglers. Although it’s not the most creative way to use the peels, this is still a useful technique.
The peels will break down and become rich compost over time. Compost can be added as a side dressing to help with fruit and vegetable development when your beds are ready for planting or when your plants start to flower. Your plants will appreciate the additional nutrients.
Ground The Skins Into A Fertilising Powder
There is a straightforward yet efficient method you can use if you don’t feel like composting or soaking banana peels to make liquid fertilizer.
This method entails drying the banana peels and grinding them into a fine powder to create a dry fertilizer that can be easily stored in your garden shed for later use.