Egg Shells
While making your own compost isn’t too difficult, eggshells are one such thing that doesn’t need the full treatment. Eggshells are rich in calcium, which helps prevent issues like blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers, and squash..
They provide nutrients and can even help ward off pests like slugs too. But don’t just throw entire shell halves into your garden beds.
Used Loose Tea Leaves
Don’t pop your loose tea leaves in the trash. While they may have run out of flavor for you, your garden will happily eat them up. They provide organic matter that improves soil structure and release trace minerals as they break down
Coffee Grounds
Discard the grounds in your garden. Coffee offers up nitrogen and organic matter, both of which your patch will appreciate. They also improve soil texture and water retention. Sprinkle used coffee grounds directly onto the soil or mix them in as a light mulch. Just be mindful not to overdo it—too much can make the soil overly acidic.
Banana Peels
Banana peels decompose quickly and provide potassium and phosphorus, essential for root development, flowering, and fruit production. For the best results chop them up into small pieces so they can break down faster. Burying them a few inches down keeps pests and rodents from catching wind of a possible meal
Onion and Garlic Skins
These contain sulfur, which has natural anti-fungal and pest-repelling properties. Scatter them around plants that are prone to fungal diseases or pests, such as tomatoes and brassica.
Citrus Peels
The skins of oranges, lemons, and limes can go on to become helping hands for your garden. They need a little preparation, but they don’t have to go in your bin first. While citrus peels take longer to decompose, they can be chopped up and worked into the soil as a natural deterrent for some pests. The scent can help keep ants and cats away, and as they break down they add small amounts of sulfur and magnesium to the soil.
Unlike tougher organic materials, these kitchen scraps break down quickly and release nutrients right into the soil without needing to be fully composted.
While these scraps offer benefits, they should complement, not replace, composting and soil amendments. A balanced approach that integrates composting, mulching, and proper fertilization will ensure long-term soil health and sustainable gardening practices.