Yahoo News Boost your hydrangea blooms with this simple kitchen scrap trick - and keep pests at bay
Hydrangeas are a stunning addition to any summer garden, and there's a simple trick to enhance their beauty without spending a penny. Katie Femia, the green-fingered guru behind The Homespun Hydrangea, has revealed that orange peels can be transformed into a homemade fertiliser, perfect for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas.
She explained: "Orange peels will help feed the soil and create a healthy foundation for your plants. Plus, orange peels are great for your budget since they offer you free food."
Packed with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, orange peels can significantly bolster the growth and strength of hydrangeas. Not only do these citrus scraps enrich the soil, but they also have the potential to alter the hue of hydrangea blooms, encouraging a more intense blue colouration, reports the Express.
An added bonus of using orange peels in the garden during the warmer months is their strong scent, which acts as a natural deterrent to pests with sensitive noses.
Historically, oranges have been employed as an eco-friendly means to repel various garden invaders, including aphids, ants, rodents, and even felines.
How to craft an orange peel fertiliser for hydrangeas
You will need:
Orange peels
Baking tray
Wax paper
Air-tight container or sandwich bag
To whip up your own orange peel fertiliser for hydrangeas, start by collecting peels in a container or bowl. Once you've amassed a sufficient amount, give them a rinse to wash away any residual chemicals.
Place the wax paper on a baking tray to prevent the peels from sticking, then arrange the orange peels in a single layer without overlapping them.
Preheat your oven to a low heat, such as 140C, slide the tray into the oven, and let the orange peels dry out for about 90 to 120 minutes.
Katie said: "I like to check on the peels every 30 minutes to see how they are doing. This way you can see if they are ready to come out or need a little more time. Oh, and the house will start to smell really good during the drying process! In about two hours, you will have orange chips."
Once dried, grind the peels into a fine powder to create an effective fertiliser. You can use a food processor or crush them in a sandwich bag with a rolling pin.
After pulverising the peels, store them in an airtight container and sprinkle the powder into the soil around your hydrangeas, or bury it near the plants.
Katie added: "In no time, your soil will be soaking this stuff right up! It will enrich the soil and add to the acidity, making your plants thrive! "
