This old gardening trick, passed down through generations, is worth its weight in gold. Your father-in-law was right – the best things for the garden often don’t end up in expensive craft store packaging, but in the compost bin.
If you want magnificent tomatoes, healthy geraniums, and nutrient-rich soil without spending a single euro, simply don’t throw away these 3 simple things from your kitchen:
Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are literally “black gold” for the garden. They contain plenty of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – exactly the nutrients plants need for lush growth.
How to use: Lightly work them into the soil around your plants or add them to your compost.
Ideal for: Acid-loving plants like blueberries, hydrangeas, roses, tomatoes, and rhododendrons love them.
Additional benefit: The scent and texture naturally repel slugs and ants!
Eggshells
Eggshells consist of pure calcium (CaCO₃). Calcium deficiency in the soil causes the well-known black rot on the fruit tips of tomatoes and peppers.
Application: Let the shells dry and then crush them into a fine powder (ideally in a blender or mortar). Sprinkle this powder directly into the planting hole of tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers, or spread it around the beds.
Additional benefit: If you only coarsely crush the shells and scatter them around young plants, they create an impenetrable barrier against slugs and snails.
Banana peels
Banana peels are veritable potassium powerhouses. Potassium is essential for abundant flowering and the formation of large, sweet fruit. They also contain magnesium and calcium.
Application:
When planting: Cut the peels into small pieces and place them directly at the base of the plants (ideal for tomatoes and roses).
Liquid miracle cure: Place the peels in a preserving jar, cover with water, and let it steep for 2–3 days. Then use this water to water houseplants or garden flowers.
Tip from experienced gardeners: All three ingredients can be collected year-round. Let the peels and pulp dry thoroughly to prevent mold, and store them in a box in the spring.
Which of these three things do you already use in your garden, or are you trying your mother-in-law’s tip for the first time this year?