Ways to Use Your Old Banana Peels in Your Garden

When most of us finish eating a banana, our first instinct is to throw the peel in the trash. But did you know that banana peels can actually be repurposed in many clever ways in your garden? Rather than sending them straight to the landfill, consider putting those peels to use in your yard.

Banana peels are chock-full of beneficial nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. By reusing them in your garden, you can enhance your soil, fertilize your plants, and even deter pests. With a little creativity, those tossed peels can become a valuable gardening asset.

Here are some techniques for giving your banana peels new life in the garden. Follow these tips to reduce waste and improve your yard the all-natural way.

Provide Nutrients to Your Compost

Composting those peels is one of the simplest ways to reuse them in your garden. Banana peels break down quickly in compost thanks to their high nutrient content. As they decompose, they release valuable minerals into your compost, creating an extremely rich fertilizer for your plants.

Chop peels into small pieces before adding them to your compost bin or pile. This gives the beneficial microbes more surface area to work with, speeding decomposition. Mix peels with equal parts “brown” and “green” compost materials to achieve the right balance.

Within a few weeks in the compost, the peels will completely break down into a nutrient-dense fertilizer perfect for amending garden beds and enriching soil.

Deter Pests in the Garden

In addition to providing nutrition, banana peels can also deter some common garden pests like ants and aphids. Many pests are quite sensitive to the compounds and acids found in banana peels.

Cut peels into strips and place them around the base of plants that are susceptible to ants and aphids, like roses, cabbages, and fruit trees. Bury some peels around veggie seedlings as well. The peels will gradually decay underground, releasing chemicals that drive away insects looking for a tasty meal.

However, this pest deterrent may not be strong enough for large infestations. For serious pest problems, use banana peels as one part of an integrated pest management strategy.

Make Fertilizer Tea for Plants

You can make a simple banana peel tea to use as a liquid plant food in your garden. All it takes is some water and a bit of patience!

Start by chopping several peels into quarter-sized pieces. Place the chopped peels in a mason jar and add water until it covers the peels by an inch or two. Allow the peels to steep for at least a few days, or up to two weeks for stronger tea.

After soaking, simply strain the water and dilute it with an equal amount of fresh water. Pour the diluted banana tea around the base of vegetable and flower plants as a nutritious feeding. The potassium and other minerals will be absorbed right away by the roots.

Banana peel tea works particularly well for boosting plants prone to potassium deficiency, like tomatoes, peppers, and flowers. Make tea every week or two to provide your garden with a steady fertilizer supply.

Make a Natural Weed Killer Spray

Vinegar is a popular natural alternative to chemical weed killers. But you can make it even more potent by steeping banana peels.

Add several chopped peels to a mason jar full of undiluted white or apple cider vinegar. Allow it to infuse for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar every few days. The acetic acid in the vinegar combines with compounds in the peels to create a super-charged weed killer.

Strain out the peels and add a tablespoon or two of liquid dish soap to help the spray stick to weed leaves. This all-natural mix can be poured into a spray bottle and used to control weeds throughout the garden. It’s safe for kids, pets, and the environment!

However, it may take a few applications to kill established weeds. But this peel-infused vinegar is useful for keeping young sprouts and seedlings in check.

Add Nutrients and Mulch with Peel Cuttings

Chopped banana peels make a great addition to garden beds as mulch. Scatter pieces of peel between plants to prevent weeds, add nutrients, and help soil retain moisture.

As the peels break down, they will slowly release beneficial minerals right where plants can use them. The peel pieces will also form a protective barrier on the soil surface, discouraging weeds and reducing water evaporation.

Spread a layer of chopped peels an inch thick in any bare garden beds. Over time, the peel mulch will improve soil health and provide sustenance for your plants. It’s a simple way to make use of peel leftovers!

Banana Peels Offer Endless Possibilities

With so many innovative uses, banana peels can make an impact in gardens of all sizes. Whether you compost them, make fertilizer tea, or deter pests, reusing peels reduces waste and benefits your plants. Get creative and discover your own ways to give tossed banana peels new life in your yard and garden.