Roses, revered for their timeless beauty, grace gardens with their presence, adaptable to both borders and containers, showcasing a myriad of hues and varieties. When nurtured properly, these resilient blooms thrive, requiring essential care such as fertilization during flowering, routine pruning, and diligent deadheading.
John Dempsey, a seasoned gardening expert at Housetastic, underscores the significant advantage of incorporating two to three banana peels into the soil for newly planted roses. “Placing a chopped banana at the base of the planting hole, combined with compost and soil around the new rose, yields remarkable benefits,” Dempsey shared with Express.co.uk.
During active growth periods, gardeners can utilize banana peels as a rich source of potassium, vital for enriching the soil and fostering vibrant blooms. Potassium, an essential nutrient, fortifies rose plants’ immune systems, promoting prolonged flowering while safeguarding against weak stems and lackluster foliage, as elucidated by the expert.
Banana peels, abundant in potassium, also contain calcium, iron, copper, and manganese, supplementing plants’ nutritional needs beyond human consumption. “Thoroughly watering the soil post-application accelerates the breakdown of banana peels, nurturing new growth,” Dempsey advised.
For the simplest potassium boost, placing chopped banana peels near the rose’s base expedites their decomposition, ensuring timely nutrient absorption. Moreover, integrating banana peels into compost bins offers an eco-friendly alternative for gardeners without immediate use for the nutrient-rich scraps.