How to Use Vegetable Scraps for Potted Plants

You may be surprised to learn that you don’t have to be an experienced gardener or have a green thumb to get rid of food waste and create compost for your potted plants. In fact, a simple and easy way to nourish your plants is by using vegetable scraps. Here are some tips for using veggie scraps in your potted gardens.

Collect and Store Your Scraps

Before you start using your vegetable scraps for your potted plants, you need to collect and store them. Keep a container or bag under your kitchen sink or on your countertop to collect your daily scraps. Make sure to collect all veggie scraps such as carrot tops, onion skins, celery leaves, lettuce ends, and other food scraps.

Once you’ve collected a good amount of scraps, store them in an airtight container or plastic bag. If kept properly, vegetable scraps can last up to a month. Be sure to go through your vegetable scraps regularly and remove any moldy or rotten pieces.

Blend Your Scraps

In order to use the scraps effectively in your potted plants, you need to blend them. Using a food processor or blender, chop up the vegetables until they are very fine. This will help them break down quickly and make the nutrients more accessible to your potted plants.

Add the Scraps to Your Soil

Once you have blended your vegetable scraps, you can add them to the soil. Simply mix a few scoops of the vegetable scraps into the soil and water as usual. Be extra careful, though, not to add too much vegetable scraps to the soil, as this can create an imbalance in nutrients and might damage your plants.

Use Scraps as a Mulch

If your potted plants are growing and the soil is showing signs of wear and tear, you may want to consider using vegetable scraps as a mulch. Spread the scraps over the soil of your potted plants and water as needed. Keep in mind, though, that using scraps as a mulch may not be ideal for all plants or soils.

Conclusion

With a little bit of effort, using vegetable scraps for potted plants can be a natural and effective way to nourish your plants. By following the above steps, you’ll be able to create nutrient-rich soil for your potted plants and reduce waste in the process. Give it a try and see the difference in the growth and health of your plants.