Banana Peel Secrets You Did Not Know, But That Your Garden Will Love!
Ranking #3 in the most consumed fruits in the world, is Bananas! With almost 150 million tons of bananas grown annually around the globe, bananas are rich in both nutritional benefits, as well as environmental benefits. Perhaps you did not know that banana peels are edible, or that they make a great Organic fertilizer that promote growth and strength for your plants and garden.
Bananas contain a great source of potassium which can prevent strokes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. However, beyond all the benefits the banana itself may have on our bodies, the banana peel is just as important. According to the Bulletin of the National Research Centre, banana peels can help fight cholesterol, contain antioxidants, protect eyesight, and produce an anti-cancer that combats cancer cells.
Banana peels have long been observed as only solid waste and not recognized for the benefits it can provide to our bodies and more importantly to our environment. Banana peels make a great Organic fertilizer and can help your plants grow stronger and healthier too!
Banana peels are rich in natural potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphates, and sodium- all which promote healthy plant growth!
There are multiple ways you can use banana peels for your garden. All of the options mentioned below will help promote fruiting, flowering, and strong healthy roots that your plants will thank you for.
1. Banana Peel Liquid Fertilizer
For this method, you will need to place banana peels into a container, or bucket and fill them with water. For households, it is most common to place them in a mason jar, or any kind of jar you can cover, and let them soak for 2-3 days before pouring it into your garden soil. You can also use this liquid to spray your plants. Depending on the desired solution amount you want, you may need a container that best meets that demand.
This kind of Organic fertilizer will help promote fruiting and flowering in your plants. It will help them build strong and healthy roots, as well as deter annoying pests such as aphids! (Aphids are small insects that suck out the nutrient-rich liquid out of plants.) Be careful not to use too much as the sweet smell can attract other unwanted pests.
2. Cut Banana Peels and Bury into your Garden
If you decide to use the method above, do not dispose of your banana peels once you have your liquid ready, as they can still be useful for your garden soil. You can dry them out and crush them into a powder like substance as mentioned in Option 3. However, if you decide that you do not want to store banana peels for long, you can always cut them up into pieces and bury them into your soil. Be careful not to cut them up too big as the sweet smell can attract fruit flies, pests, and other unwanted animals.
As the banana peels decay, they release their rich properties; even more, every time you water the soil. With the help of earthly worms, the process is sped up as they break down the components and let it sink into the earth.
3. Make Banana Peel Powder Fertilizer
If you have banana peels you used to make liquid fertilizer, or decide that you prefer to make powdered fertilizer, the best way is to let the peels dry out in the sun for a few days until they are crunchy and can be broken down into a powder like substance. By crushing the dried banana peels into a powder like substance you help speed up the process of breaking down the nutrients and letting the soil absorb them.
Once you have your powdered banana peels, you can simply spread them across your garden soil, or bury it within the soil.
Therefore, next time you are done eating a delicious banana, do not throw the peel in the trash. Instead, make sure to also feed the Earth and your garden!
