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Are Orange Peels The Little-Known Trick To A Thriving Garden?
By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS
Gardeners seeking eco-friendly ways to help their plants thrive turn to orange peels, which can be used as a natural fertilizer or added to a compost pile to help plants grow.
A 2021 study showed that peels can add vital nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to the soil. These nutrients, common in fertilizers, can help plants grow taller.
Orange peels can also regulate the pH of the soil by increasing acidity for plants that like it. They also can be an effective fertilizer and show no signs of phytotoxicity.
To make a fertilizer from orange peels, first dry them out by either leaving them in the sun for a few weeks or baking them in the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes.
Once they’ve dried out, place the peels in a blender and process them into a powder. Test your soil before mixing in the powder or adding it to your plant’s water.
You can also compost your orange peels to make a rich, natural fertilizer. Using leftover food scraps to help your garden grow can save money and cut down on kitchen waste.