Eggs and Bananas

Did you know that whole eggs and bananas can be used together as an organic fertilizer for your plants? Instead of tossing your next overripe banana, try burying it with an egg under the soil of your plants and watch how they come to life. The banana will provide natural potassium, while eggs are full of protein and calcium, which are great for plant growth. For best results, crush the eggshells and mix them with the banana peels and bury them together. Or, crush eggshells, sprinkle over soil, and mix them for the roots to absorb the calcium. Apart from the calcium, eggshells work as a barrier to protect plants from snails, slugs, and other pests. 

Another way to use the dynamic egg/banana duo is to mash one banana and add one raw egg, mix it well, and use it as a fertilizer. The mixture can be used for both foliage and root growth.
 

Milk and Molasses

Another kitchen item that is great for plants is milk. Mixing milk with molasses provides your plants with a much-needed energy boost that they require. Milk is rich in calcium, protein, and other minerals that plants need to grow and develop. Milk also has natural properties to fight off fungus and diseases. Molasses is rich in iron, magnesium, and sulfur, essential for plant growth. Dilute one part milk with two parts water, then add a tablespoon of molasses. Spray the mixture directly onto your plants and soil and watch them flourish.

You can also use a mixture of one part milk and two parts water for watering plants or, pour milk directly on the soil to nourish the roots.

Hydrogen Peroxide

While hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to disinfect wounds, it can also be used in the garden. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water and spray on the surface of the soil. This mixture acts as a natural aeration process, releasing extra oxygen into the soil and enhances the plants’ ability to absorb nutrients and water, ultimately improving their overall health.

Vinegar

Vinegar can also be a useful item in your garden in several ways. It acts as an effective weed killer and can help deter many fungus and bacteria-related diseases. Mix one-part vinegar with three parts water, add a tablespoon of dish soap, and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the surface of the soil, where you want to eliminate weeds or prevent fungus and bacteria from growing.  It dries out the weed, making it easy to pull them out. Vinegar can also be used to remove rust from gardening tools!

Dish Soap

Dish soap can also be utilized in your garden. It acts as an effective insecticide for an array of pests, especially for soft-bodied insects like aphids and spider mites. Mix one teaspoon of dish soap with a quart of water and spray the solution on your plants. The soap suffocates the insects, ultimately killing them. Just be sure to use a mild soap and avoid spraying during peak sunlight hours. It does not harm the plant and is an environmentally friendly option for pest control.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which helps in promoting plant growth. They also work as a natural pest control measure and repel snails, slugs, and ants. However, coffee grounds should be used cautiously as certain plants like carrots and beans can absorb too much nitrogen and not perform well.

Home Water Monitor

While a home water monitor isn’t a food item left behind in your refrigerator, this device can make sustainable gardening a healthy and money-saving habit by managing your water usage and minimizing waste. A water monitor is a device that tracks water usage and detects any leaks in real-time. A home water monitor, like the Flume, attaches easily to your home’s water main with no plumber, wires or pipe cutting required, and connects to your home WIFI network to send data to the smartphone app. Monitoring water use in your home and garden can help you waste less and save money on your water bill.