Recipe for Lush Flowers and Plants Using Kitchen Scraps (Compost)

If you want your neighbors to be envious of your garden, here’s a creative way to make your flowers and plants lush without throwing away kitchen scraps.

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Ingredients:

1. Banana peels
   • Rich in potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, which are essential for plant growth.
2. Eggshells
   • Packed with calcium that strengthens plant cell walls.
3. Coffee grounds
   • Adds nitrogen to the soil and helps improve soil structure.
4. Vegetable scraps
   • High in nutrients and decompose into rich compost.
5. Used tea leaves
   • Contains nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
6. Water from rinsing vegetables
   • Loaded with nutrients and perfect for watering plants.
7. Epsom salt (optional)
   • Adds magnesium and sulfur, which are beneficial for most plants.
8. Old newspapers or cardboard
   • Helps balance moisture and provide carbon for compost.

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Compost Bin:
   • Get a compost bin or create a simple compost pile in your garden. Layer it with dried leaves or shredded paper (carbon-rich materials).
2. Collect Kitchen Scraps:
   • Start collecting banana peels, eggshells, vegetable scraps, and used coffee grounds. Chop large pieces into smaller sizes for faster decomposition.
3. Add Kitchen Scraps to the Compost:
   • Layer your kitchen scraps on top of the carbon-rich material. Try to maintain a balance between “green” (kitchen scraps, fresh grass) and “brown” (dried leaves, paper) compost materials.
4. Maintain Moisture:
   • Add water to keep the compost moist but not soggy. You can use water from rinsing vegetables to enhance the nutrient content.
5. Turn the Compost:
   • Turn the compost pile every few days to aerate it, speeding up the decomposition process.
6. Add Nutrients to Plants:
   • Once the compost turns into dark, crumbly soil (usually in a few months), mix it into your garden soil or around the base of your plants.
7. Bonus Tip: Make a Compost Tea:
   • Soak a handful of your compost in water for 24-48 hours. Strain it, and use the liquid to water your plants for a nutrient boost.

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Optional Epsom Salt Boost:

• If your plants need an extra boost, sprinkle a small amount of Epsom salt around the base of your flowers once a month.

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Results: Your flowers and plants will thrive on this nutrient-rich homemade compost, and you’ll have a lush garden that’s sure to make your neighbors green with envy!