Lavender plants will 'flower more' in your garden if you use four kitchen scraps to feed them

Lavender plants are often associated with the idyllic image of a sunny, serene summer, thanks to their medium purple or light pinkish-purple hues. Their distinctive fragrant scent is known to soothe both body and soul, making them perfect for a peaceful afternoon spent in the garden.

While lavenders are not demanding and can survive in nutrient-poor soil, a bit of fertiliser can encourage them to flourish. However, gardeners should take note that over-fertilising lavender can lead to excessive foliage growth without flowering, or it could even be fatal to the plant.

That said, feeding lavender plants isn't entirely off-limits it's all about getting it right. The optimal time to fertilise lavender is during spring, at the onset of the growing season, reports the Express. But what should you use to feed your lavender plants?

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Stephanie, a gardening aficionado from the home and DIY blog Celebrated Herb, suggests utilising kitchen scraps. She explained: "Lavender plants do not require a lot of nutrients, but you can still use some kitchen scraps to provide them with additional nourishment."

1. Coffee grounds.

Stephanie has stated that used coffee grounds are an "excellent" nitrogen source, which is "essential for plant growth".

Not only for lavender, but coffee grounds can also help hydrangeas and roses to produce larger and more vibrant blooms.

Just sprinkle some coffee grounds around the base of your lavender plants and incorporate them into the soil.

2. Banana peels.

Banana peels are rich in potassium, which can encourage the plant to "flower more" and "roots to grow stronger".

In order to utilise them, slice up banana peels and bury them in the soil around the base of your lavender plants.

Banana peels are also excellent to use to stimulate your orchid to flower and your roses to bloom.

3. Vegetable remnants.

Vegetable remnants, such as carrot tops and lettuce leaves, can be used to create a "homemade compost that can provide your lavender plants with additional nutrients".

Just layer the remnants with dry leaves and grass cuttings in a compost bin and wait for them to break down into fertile compost.

4. Eggshells.

Ground eggshells are a beneficial source of calcium, which can aid in preventing blossom end rot in plants. Sprinkle ground eggshells around the base of your lavender plants.

However, Stephanie also pointed out that kitchen scraps "should not be the sole source of nutrients" for your lavender plants, and they should be used sparingly to avoid over-fertilising.