Homemade, cost-effective, eco-friendly fertilisers

Forget costly chemical fertilisers! With a bit of at-home alchemy, you can transform kitchen waste and common household substances into budget- and eco-friendly fertilisers, writes Linda Piegl.

- Linda Piegl

Recently, a friend shared how she successfully fertilised her orchids using banana peels. Intrigued, I researched this and other eco-friendly fertilisers you can cook up cost effectively at home.

BANANA PEEL FERTILISER

Banana peels are packed with nutrients and minerals, including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.

Use them to boost growth and disease resistance, and encourage your pot plants to flower.

• Infusion. Steep fresh banana peels in water for two days, then dilute with four parts water and fertilise at the base of your plants once a week. Potassium-loving veggie-garden plants such as tomatoes and peppers will love it.

• Dry fertiliser. Cut the banana peels lengthwise into thin strips, dry them in the sun for two days, then grind them into a powder.

• Direct application. For even less effort, simply chop up the banana peels and add them directly to the soil.

RICE WATER