Why A Sprinkle Of Orange Peels In The Garden Is The Secret To A Happy, Fragrant Garden

Some garden practices can leave your outdoor space smelling less than delightful. Garden fertilizers and pesticides usually have an unpleasant chemical smell, and they aren't the worst of what you may experience in your garden. If you're someone who uses other organic matter, such as manure, to enrich the soil in your garden beds, the smell can be difficult to deal with. The last thing you want to do is add more chemicals to your garden, which may mean that you turn to a natural solution to get your garden smelling great. Orange peels are an excellent way to cover unwanted odors. 

Depending on the variety, orange peels can contain up to 98 percent limonene, an essential oil that emits a lovely citrus aroma. Limonene is well-known for its ability to mask unpleasant odors. Many products, including cleaners and natural air fresheners, use limonene for its aromatic fragrance. Orange peels also have antimicrobial properties, which can help reduce odors by controlling odor-causing bacteria in your garden. By adding orange peels to your garden, you can help counteract undesirable smells and create a more enjoyable space.

For the best results, don't throw whole oranges onto your soil. Cut or tear the peels into pieces and scatter them on top of the soil. It's important to understand that adding lots of orange peels to your garden could raise the acidity level of your soil. This is fine for plants that grow well in acidic soil, such as hydrangeas. In fact, this unlikely kitchen scrap is the secret to making them thrive. You can also add orange peels to your compost pile, scatter them around your waste bins, or even place them near manure piles and fertilizer to cover up the odors from those areas. It can take from six months to a couple years for orange peels to fully decompose, so remember to replace them periodically when you notice they've lost their citrus scent.

You'll also want to be aware of additional side effects that using this hack has on pests. While orange peels are likely to attract fruit flies because they prefer to lay eggs on citrus, they may be the secret to keeping mice out of the garden. Orange peel extracts are also known to help deter mosquitoes, cockroaches, and houseflies, so it's worth employing this clever way to use orange peels in your garden as more than just a mask for bad smells.