Improve Your Soil
A tried and true way to improve your soil is through composting. “A compost heap is a great way to recycle kitchen waste and improve your garden soil for free. However not everyone has the space needed and depending on where you live, you may want to deter any unwanted furry visitors,” says Sara from the Whole Food Home Blog.
She goes on to explain that those same kitchen waste items that could be thrown into the compost heap can still be used to improve the quality of your soil without the need of the actual heap. For example, use a barrier of egg shells, dried and crumbled, to deter slugs and snails—Sara says, “this is the human equivalent of walking barefoot on broken glass.” Not only will they keep away these pesky creatures but they also have calcium which promotes plant growth while at the same time improves drainage.
Another item that could be better used in the garden, rather than the trash can are the left-over coffee grounds. Apparently, earthworms like their caffeine like we do! “These can be added directly to the soil and act as a general fertilizer, adding organic matter, improving drainage, water retention and soil aeration,” says Sara. Additionally, as they break down, they will continue to add to the plant growth.
Lastly, the article lists banana skins as benefiting the soil. If you cut them into small pieces then they can be added directly do your soil. These bits of new organic material, once broken down, result in a light, well-drained soil which is very attractive to earth worms. “Once the banana skins have broken down they will add a powerful cocktail of nutrients; calcium, magnesium, Sulphur, phosphates, potassium and sodium, all of which help plants to grow well and develop their fruit,” the article reads.
For more information and additional gardening tips please check out Sara’s blog, linked below.
Source: http://wholefoodhome.com/how-to-improve-your-garden-soil-without-a-compost-heap-2/