By Ashley Bautista
Gardeners are being urged to save their potato peels which have three crucial benefits to outdoor spaces. When peeling the spuds, the long flakes of skin often pile up and are simply chucked into the bin. But anyone with an outside space has been told to think before tossing them away. This will not only benefit the plants, but it will also help reduce food waste. As explained by DIY Everywhere the seemingly useless part of the potato actually contains a lot of benefits that enhance soil fertility, and plant growth. They even work as a pest repellent, which is perfect during the hot weather when lots of creatures are seeking food from your crops. The experts explained: 鈥淏y incorporating potato peels into your gardening routine, you can reduce waste and improve the health of your plants.鈥 In the UK, approximately 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted every year, as reported by Waste Managed , with 70% of this waste coming from households. Potatoes are rich in potassium, magnesium and phosphorus – which are very important for plants, as they help them hydrate during the summer and all other seasons. They also have good amounts of nitrogen, calcium and iron. 鈥淭hese nutrients are slowly released into the soil as the peels decompose, providing a steady supply of nourishment to plants,鈥 they said. 鈥淭he high potassium content is particularly beneficial for flowering and fruiting plants, as it supports strong root development and enhances resistance to diseases.鈥 Potato peels can also be used as a natural fertiliser, and this can be done so by directly burying them in the garden or adding them to compost. Nevertheless, sprinkling potato peels in the garden is good for plants, adding them directly to the soil. By doing this, gardeners will help reduce food whilst improving soil health. Often overlooked as mere kitchen scraps, potato peels can be a plant鈥檚 best friend. Gardeners can transform their garden spaces by making use of natural and organic household scraps. Using the many benefits that kitchen scraps have, like potato peels, helps both the environment and gardeners. Even better, it doesn’t require extra money or expert knowledge – just some extra time and patience to help keep the patios as green and vibrant as possible, with resources from home that would’ve been wasted in the bin.