Alan Titchmarsh explains how to use autumn leaves to improve soil
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Whether you are hoping for a dazzling array of spring blooms, or are a keen vegetable grower, having healthy soil is essential to keep your garden growing. Soil is made up of living and non-living components which are critical in an ecosystem, and vital for the creation of new life in your garden.
This is why it is important to care for the soil in your garden, ensuring it has enough water and air.
Healthy soil is also packed full of nutrients. Though these develop naturally as plants decompose, there are also some leftover food items you can use to give your soil extra oomph.
The great thing about reusing leftover kitchen items is that it reduces waste and gives something back to the earth.
Here are five leftover food items that can work wonders to improve your soil’s health.
Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds can be particularly beneficial because of their ability to raise the nitrogen levels in the soil.
Though coffee itself is highly acidic, and therefore only suitable for plants that thrive from acidity, coffee grounds are far lower in acid due to being soaked in water for a long period of time.
Nitrogen can help plants to grow faster, and according to Natural Living Ideas, is good for tomatoes and grass.
Coffee grounds also contain potassium and phosphorus, which are also essential ingredients for fertiliser.
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Tea
According to the book Toolbox for Sustainable Living, teabags can be saved to create your own compost.
If you are saving actual tea bags make sure they’re made from paper, silk or muslin.
Teabags made from polypropylene won’t decompose, so the tea leaves must be removed from the bags if you want to use them for compost.
You can leave the tea leaves in your compost bin for later use, or dig loose leaf teas and compostable tea bags around your plants.
Banana skins
Banana skins most often find themselves in the bin, but gardeners could be putting them to better use.
Due to the high amount of calcium, phosphorus and potassium in them, peels can be great when used as fertilisers.
You can grind up peels and add them to fertiliser.
Alternatively, chop them into quarter-inch pieces which trigger the composting process and release some of their vitamins and minerals.
Once chopped, you can add them directly to your soil when planting.
Water from boiling eggs
When eggs boil, they emit calcium into the water they are boiling in.
This means that, once you are finished boiling your egg, pouring the water onto the soil can help boost its calcium levels.
Make sure to let the water cool down before using it in your garden.
Eggshells
Leftover water from boiling eggs isn’t the only way this breakfast staple can help your plants to thrive.
Eggshells can also be used in compost as a fertiliser thanks to their high calcium content.
Make sure to clean and wash your eggshells first, so as not to attract vermin into your garden.
Then, simply crush up leftover eggshells and sprinkle around the base of your plants, or add to your compost bin.
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