Six more feeds from household waste
Veg peelings
In autumn, dig trenches and line with newspaper. Then gradually build up layers of veg peelings with a layer of soil on top (to avoid attracting vermin) until you reach the top. Finish with 10cm of compost and plant into it next spring to fuel supercharged growth. Best for Runner beans, pumpkins and sunflowers
Coffee grounds
Your morning brew is full of nitrogen, potassium and essential minerals, so save the grounds to scatter thinly around your plants, or add to the compost bin. Its low pH especially suits acid-loving fruit. Don’t overdo it, though, as caffeine inhibits growth if used to excess. Best for Blueberries, raspberries and rhododendrons Wood ash
Ash from wood fires, bonfires and barbecues is high in potassium and safe, as long as you haven’t used coal or starter fuel. Fork in lightly around plants. It’s alkaline, so deters clubroot in brassicas, but don’t use it on acid-loving raspberries or potatoes.
Best for Brassicas, peonies and clematis
Eggshells
Put your breakfast eggs to good use by keeping the shells – the calcium they contain is essential for forming strong cell walls. Rinse, then dry on a sunny windowsill. Blitz them in a blender so they’re more easily absorbed, then scatter around trees and plants. Best for Brassicas, apples and cherry trees Pee
Sorry… but we couldn’t leave out the single best fertiliser you can make yourself. Urine is a fantastic fast-acting liquid feed that’s rich in nitrogen. Use fresh (it shouldn’t smell), and only if you aren’t on medication. Dilute 1:20 with water (1:50 for containers) and water the soil, not the plants.
Best for Ornamentals like lawns
Banana skins
Chop them up and add into the base of planting holes and mix them into compost heaps, where they’ll release potassium and other useful nutrients.