Composting’s secret trio

HERE IS THE SECRET TRIO OF FOOD SCRAPS FOR COMPOSTING:

BANANAS: Banana peels gives your soil phosphorus and potassium –important soil nutrients. Chop up the peels – do not use whole banana peels as they will attract rodents. You can put the chopped up pieces straight into the soil. TIP: Soak a few banana peels in about 600ml of water for a few days. The minerals from the peels will leech into the water. You can then use this water for your plants (you don’t need to dilute it). The soaked peels can be given to your worms or put it in the compost. COFFEE GROUNDS release nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other minerals and essential oils as they break down – acting as a great natural slow-release fertiliser for your pants. Add them to the compost bin or sprinkle directly on to your soil. TIP: Acid-loving plants like blueberries, carrots, and radishes are boosted by fresh grounds. EGG SHELLS Rinse the shells before crushing them into small pieces. These provide much-needed calcium to the soil which prevents blossom rot – the black spots that form on the ends of tomatoes, peppers and squash caused by lack of calcium in the soil.

Eggs shells can be sprinkled on top of the soil to keep creepy crawlies away and also dug in. TIP: Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, broccoli, cauliflower, Swiss chard, spinach and amaranth will all benefit from added eggshells in the soil or compost.

CREATE YOUR OWN BLACK GOLD BY COMPOSTING KITCHEN LEFTOVERS

Don’t add these materials to your compost: meat or fish scraps dairy products fats or oils grease pet faeces kitty litter weed seeds charcoal ash non-organic materials

DID YOU KNOW Compost can: Enhance your soil’s structure. Improve the soil’s ability to hold water. Create a habitat for beneficial soil organisms. Provide a source of slowrelease nutrients for plants. Protect plants from soilborne pathogens.

TRENCH COMPOSTING Trench composting is particularly suitable for growing vegetables, says garden expert Kay Montgomery. • Dig a trench to a depth of two to three spades, placing the soil to one side. • Place a thick layer of wet newspaper in the bottom of the trench and fill with vegetable peelings, leaves and any other plant material that is available, alternating with layers of soil. • Plant vegetables in the filled trench.