Hydrangeas will grow bigger blooms if fed 1 kitchen scrap - that also deters rats and cats
There is a simple way to help give hydrangea flowers a natural boost while keeping rats and cats out of your garden this summer - and all you need is one kitchen scrap you would have otherwise thrown away.
Alan Titchmarsh shows off his hydrangeas
Hydrangeas flowers look incredible in the summer, but there is an easy way to get even bigger and more abundant blooms without spending any money at all.
Katie Femia, a gardening expert and founder of The Homespun Hydrangea has shared that you can turn orange peels into a homemade fertiliser that will give acidic-loving plants such as hydrangeas a boost.
She said: “Orange peels will help feed the soil and create a healthy foundation for your plants. Plus, orange peels are great for your budget since they offer you FREE food.”
Orange peels contain many beneficial nutrients for hydrangeas such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which can help them grow bigger and stronger.
Hydrangeas also prefer slightly acidic soil to thrive, and orange peels will not only improve the soil conditions but can influence the colour of the flowers to turn them into a very vibrant blue.
However, one of the biggest benefits of using orange peels as fertiliser in the summer is that the pungent smell can be overwhelming to many pests with highly sensitive noses.
Oranges have often been used as a natural and safe repellant to keep aphids, ants, rats and even cats away from gardens.
How to make an orange peel fertiliser for hydrangeas
You will need:
- Orange peels
- Baking tray
- Wax paper
Air-tight container or sandwich bag
To begin, save orange peels by placing them in a container or bowl and once you have enough rinse them out to remove any chemicals that may be on the peels.
Place the wax paper on a baking tray to prevent the peels from sticking from the tray, and then lay the orange peels in a single layer, making sure not to stack them.
Preheat the oven on low heat such as 140C, place the baking tray in the oven and leave the orange peels to cook for around 90 to 120 minutes.
Katie said: “I like to check on the peels every 30 minutes to see how they are doing. This way you can see if they are ready to come out or need a little more time.
“Oh, and the house will start to smell really good during the drying process! In about two hours, you will have orange chips.”
Once the peels have been cooked, you will need to grind them up to make them into a super fine fertiliser. You can use a food processor or simply place the peels in a sandwich bag and bash them with a rolling pin.
After the peels have been crushed, place them in an airtight container and simply sprinkle the mixture into the soil around your hydrangeas or bury them next to the plant.
Katie said: “In no time, your soil will be soaking this stuff right up! It will enrich the soil and add to the acidity, making your plants thrive!”
