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What Plants Love Potato Peels: Fertilizing Secrets for Gardeners
06.12.2024 04:10
Potato peelings are not only waste, but also a valuable material that can be used as fertilizer for plants.
Their use as a fertilizer improves the soil and helps crops grow faster and healthier.
But which crops prefer this type of feeding the most?
Why Potato Peels Are Good for Plants
Potato peelings contain starch, potassium, phosphorus and other important microelements. These substances accelerate plant growth, strengthen the root system and make the leaves brighter. Organic origin allows using peelings even for sensitive crops.
When potato remains get into the soil, they decompose, saturating it with nutrients. In addition, this method of waste disposal helps reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.
Which Plants Respond Best to Potato Peelings
Potato peelings are especially useful as a fertilizer for crops that require a lot of potassium. These include:
- Tomatoes and peppers. These vegetables value potato peelings for their ability to improve the taste of the fruit. Potassium helps make them juicy and aromatic.
- Squash and pumpkins. Plants from the pumpkin family need a lot of organic matter to form strong and healthy fruits.
- Cabbage. Fertilizing promotes the development of dense heads of cabbage and protects against diseases.
- Roses and ornamental shrubs. Cleaning enhances flowering and improves the condition of the soil under the bushes.
How to Properly Use Potato Peels
Fresh potato scraps are best pre-treated. For example, you can dry them in the sun or boil them to eliminate the risk of pests.
The peelings are placed in the soil at a depth of about 10 centimeters. This will protect them from insects and speed up the decomposition process. For liquid feeding, the peeled potato peels are poured with hot water and left to infuse for 2-3 days. This infusion is used to water plants.
Plants that should avoid this type of feeding
Not all crops respond equally well to potato fertilizers. For example, root crops (carrots, beets) may develop worse if potato peelings rot in the immediate vicinity of the roots. It is also not recommended to use this method for plants susceptible to fungal diseases.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Potato Peels
Potato peelings are an economical and environmentally friendly method of fertilizing. Their use reduces waste and improves soil structure. However, their use requires caution to avoid unwanted consequences, such as attracting pests or improper nutrient balance.
This approach is especially convenient for summer residents who want to minimize the cost of purchasing fertilizers and at the same time care about the ecology of their plot.
