Totally Weird Tips

Sometimes the internet makes suggestions that are too strange to be believable; however, the following gardening hacks are actually pretty useful!

Coffee grounds

Let’s start with one that’s pretty well-known, and that is repurposing coffee grounds as fertiliser. They are rich in nitrogen, which is great for your soil, and all you need to do is simply scatter them around the base of your plants or mix them into your compost pile.

Banana peels

You’ve heard of a rose among the thorns, but have you heard of a rose among the banana peels? Packed with potassium, which is essential for plant health, burying banana peels near the roots of your rose bushes will promote lush blooms as the peels decompose and release nutrients into the soil.

Eggshells

No one likes walking on eggshells, especially pests like slugs and snails. Scatter the crushed shells around the base of your plants. The sharp edges will deter these pests, whilst also providing calcium to your soil.

Fish poop

If you have an aquarium, don’t throw out the dirty water during cleaning. This water is rich in nutrients from fish waste and can be used to feed your plants, giving them a natty nutrient boost.

Milk

Powdery mildew can be a common problem for many plants. Use a mixture of one part milk to two parts water and spray it on affected plants. The milk helps to prevent the fungus from spreading… weird but true!

Nappies

Place a clean, unused (it is important that it is not used!) nappy at the bottom of your plant pots before adding soil. The nappy will help retain moisture, keeping your plants hydrated longer.

Tin foil

Do plants believe in aliens? Who knows, but they certainly appreciate the protective power of tin foil. If you’re growing plants indoors and they need more light, create a reflective surface using tinfoil. Place the foil around your plants to reflect light back onto them, helping them grow stronger.

Human hair

Believe it or not, human hair can deter pests like deer and rabbits. Scatter it liberally around your garden and the scent will keep these animals at bay.

Cinnamon

Sprinkle cinnamon on seedlings to prevent damping-off disease, a fungal infection that can kill young plants. Cinnamon has natural antifungal properties that protect your plants, with not a pumpkin-spiced latte in sight!

Citrus peels

Finally, save your citrus peels and use them as biodegradable seedling pots. Fill the peel with soil and plant your seed then, when it’s time to transplant, you can plant the entire peel in the ground. It will decompose, thus enriching the soil.