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Before you throw away that orange peel, consider putting it to work in your garden. What’s often seen as kitchen waste can actually offer several benefits for your plants. Here are a few practical ways to use orange peels to support a healthy garden.
Boost Your Compost Mix
Incorporate orange peels into your compost as a ‘green’ material. They speed up the composting process and increase the nutrient density of your compost, making your garden soil more fertile.
A Guide to Composting Made Easy
Enrich Your Soil as a Natural Fertilizer
Bury orange peels near your plants to gradually enrich the soil. By doing so, you’re disposing of the peels responsibly and nourishing your soil over time. As the peels decompose, they release essential nutrients into the soil, enriching it and fostering a healthier environment for your plants to thrive.
Ant Repellent
Orange peels have a strong citrus scent that naturally repels ants, thanks in part to a compound called d-limonene. You can lay fresh peels along ant trails, or dry and grind them into a powder or paste to spread around garden beds and entry points to keep ants away.
How to Make Dried Orange Slices
Attract Beneficial Wildlife
Orange peels can attract birds by enticing insects, providing a natural food source for insect-eating birds. Wash the peels to remove pesticides before using them to ensure the safety of garden wildlife.
Protect Plants from Cats
Scatter orange peels on the soil to prevent your cat from disturbing your potted plants. Cats find the strong citrus scent overwhelming and will steer clear.
Nutrient-Rich Spray
Make a nutrient-rich spray for your plants by boiling orange peels. Strain the liquid into a spray bottle. Apply this spray to your plants to deter pests such as slugs, ants, and fruit flies.
Use as a Fire Starter
Use dried orange peels as kindling to start your fireside. Place dried orange peels in the fire pit or fireplace and light them. The flammable oils in citrus peels ignite faster than newspaper, helping you get your fire going in no time.
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