This is how banana peel fertilisers can transform your garden

Many gardening enthusiasts are adopting sustainable gardening practices today. One curious trend that is emerging includes using banana peel as a fertiliser. Beyond its role as a nutritious snack, this often-overlooked fruit byproduct holds the potential to revolutionise our approach to fertilisation.

Hrishit Panthry, co founder, of Envirocare Foundation says, “Banana peels are rich in different nutrients that can be used in fertilisers and they include potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. These nutrients play a vital function in the reproductive capabilities of plants and their development.”

A post shared by Life’s Good Kitchen on Instagram explains why this hack is a game changer. “Think there’s no way to reuse old banana peels? This homemade banana peel fertilizer is about to blow your mind!” the caption states.

 

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A post shared by Life’s Good Kitchen (@lifesgood_kitchen) 

Ferdin Sylvester, director and co-founder at One Earth Foundation, shares with indianexpress.com that India, the world’s top banana producer, generates a large amount of banana peel waste. The utilisation of banana skin fertiliser aligns with our country’s sustainability goals, promotes a circular economy, reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers, and empowers local communities to manage waste and enhance agricultural productivity.

How do banana peels compare to traditional fertilisers?

Traditional fertilisers are like a quick sugar rush for your plants, fast-acting but often fleeting. They can contribute to imbalances in the soil and even harm beneficial microorganisms. “They fast release, providing a quick nutrient boost but potentially leading to leaching and environmental harm,” explains Sylvester.

Banana peels are rich in different nutrients that can be used in fertilisers and they include potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. (Source: Freepik)

Panthry shared, “In contrast to the common fertilisers, banana peels can be just as efficient and more eco-friendly. Synthetic chemicals usually make up traditional fertilisers which are very dangerous to the environment and human health. Utilising banana peel this way encourages and supports the natural process of gardening without antimicrobials and chemicals.”

Plants that benefit more from banana peels

Sylvester mentions that banana peel fertilisers can be beneficial for a wide range of plants such as flowering and fruit plants where the potassium in banana peels promote bloom production and phosphorus supports fruit development respectively.

How frequently should you use them?

Banana peel fertilisers can be added to plants every 4-6 weeks for best production. However, the frequency may be different for different plants and soil conditions, suggests Panthry.

Sylvester adds, “Banana peel tea can also be prepared by soaking the peels in the water which is used on the plants every 2-4 weeks.”

Fresh vs. dried banana peels

Sylvester explains that fresh peels decompose slowly, releasing nutrients over time. One of the disadvantages of this method is that it may attract pests. However, dried peels decompose faster than fresh peels, thereby increasing the breakdown and subsequent absorption of nutrients by the plants, and are also easier to store.

Environmental contribution

Banana peels as fertilisers are sustainable and a good waste reduction solution, says Panthry.

Sylvester suggests using them as mainstream commercial-scale fertilisers will greatly lessen the demand for resource-intensive and potentially polluting traditional chemically manufactured fertilisers.

Overall, the organic and natural banana peel fertilisers enhances soil structure, and nutrient content, and most importantly, increases natural microbial activity, leading to healthier plants and long-term sustainable ecosystem.

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