Don’t throw away your old teabags – my trick is great for your garden, just pick the right kinds & follow my steps
GREEN-FINGERED homeowners can get more from their morning brew by keeping their teabags, says an expert.
He revealed simple tricks teabags can be used for to make flowers, vegetables, and shrubs flourish.
Many homeowners are trying to protect their gardens from pests without harsh chemicals.
As warmer days approach, it’s also important to retain moisture in the soil and ensure plants have all the nutrients they need to thrive.
Harry Bodell is a gardening expert at Priceyourjob, and swears by using teabags as an organic solution to the above issues.
“Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth, and tea bags provide a gentle, sustained release,” Bodell told Woman and Home.
“The organic matter in tea bags is also great at helping improve soil drainage and aeration.”
Coffee is also rich in nitrogen and can be used for a healthy garden, but surprisingly below is how the two hot beverages differ.
TEA
Whether loose or in bags, cooled organic tea leaves can be added to a compost bucket and later used to fertilize lawns.
Experts recommend removing the paper casing first to speed up the process of the leaves breaking down.
It can take up to six months for teabags suitable for composting to decompose.
Bodell said composting can help to retain moisture which is “particularly beneficial” during hot weather and for container plants.
He added that the tannins in tea leaves are also useful for attracting insects that improve aeration, such as earthworms.
According to Gardening Know-How, teabags or loose leaves can also be placed directly around plants in the soil to boost growth.
A kitchen compost bin is available for $15.99 at Walmart.
Eco-conscious homeowners have given it a perfect 5-star rating.
One customer described it as being “convenient” after gifting to a loved one.
According to the manufacturer, it can be used for various compostable materials, including fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, and eggshells.
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space, and repel pests
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- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells four packs of seeds for $1.25.
- Try a vertical planter like Amazon’s Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter, $35 to make more use of a small space.
- Use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier, $8, from Amazon to keep away bugs that eat your vegetables.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce the use of pesticides and keep pests away from your garden. Deliberately growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For pesky weeds in your garden, the Grampa’s Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles, $45, from Amazon is a helpful tool you can use without having to bend over.
COFFEE
Mark Lane is a presenter on BBC’s Gardner’s World and an expert at stairlift and home lift company Stannah.
He previously told The U.S. Sun that all types of coffee grounds can be used to repel pests such as ants, slugs, fleas, and bees.
He said the nitrogen from coffee grounds also helps to develop “strong and healthy” stems and leaves.
“Potassium and phosphorous can also be found in coffee grounds,” he said.
“Coffee grounds also attract worms, which are vital to a healthy garden.
“Do not use coffee grounds on young seedlings and seeds that are germinating.
“The caffeine has allelopathic properties which can stunt plant growth.
“Use moderately, applying as a thin layer to the soil’s surface.”