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By Srimoyee Chowdhury 18 August 2025
Give your plants a feast straight from your kitchen. These five natural fertilisers save money, reduce waste, and nourish your plants with all the nutrients they need to thrive all year.
1. Eggshells Packed with calcium, eggshells strengthen plant cell walls and prevent rotting on blossom ends.
Ideal for: Tomato, pepper, and aubergine plants How to use: Crush the shells into powder consistency and sprinkle on soil before planting or around the base.
2. Used tea leaves A gentle nitrogen boost that improves soil structure and encourages leafy growth for plants.
Ideal for: Roses, ferns, and camellias How to use: Dry the used tea leaves, and then mix them into the soil or compost to enrich it naturally.
3. Banana peels Rich in potassium and phosphorus, banana peels help flowers bloom and fruits develop better..
Ideal for: Flowering plants, and fruit trees How to use: Chop the peel into small pieces and bury near the root, or blend with water and use as a liquid feed.
4. Coffee grounds Slightly acidic, coffee grounds improve soil drainage and provide nitrogen for acid-loving plants.
Ideal for: Azaleas, hydrangeas, and blueberries How to use: Spread thinly over soil or mix with compost to avoid mould growth.
5. Vegetable scraps From carrot tops to potato peels, scraps enrich compost with a mix of nutrients over time.
Ideal for: All garden plants How to use: Add scraps to a compost bin or bury directly into the soil to decompose naturally.