Banana peels are one of those kitchen scraps that are easy to throw away without thinking about them. But if you have a garden, you can put them to use instead of sending them to the trash.
One simple method is to soak chopped banana peels in water for 10 to 14 days and then mix the resulting liquid with activated dry yeast. The finished mixture can be diluted and used around vegetable plants, fruit trees, flowering plants, and ornamental plants.
It does not require expensive ingredients or complicated equipment. You mainly need banana peels, dry yeast, water, and a little time.
This type of homemade fertilizer is best treated as an additional source of plant nutrition rather than a complete replacement for compost or a balanced fertilizer. Still, it can be a convenient way to recycle kitchen waste and add another natural input to your garden.
What You Need
The recipe is based on two main ingredients: banana peels and dry yeast.
You will need fresh or leftover banana peels from your kitchen. There is no need to use the banana fruit itself. Cut the peels into small pieces before putting them into the container.
You will also need dry yeast, the same type commonly used for baking. A small amount is enough for preparing the yeast mixture.
For the water, non-chlorinated water is preferable. If you normally use tap water that contains chlorine, you can leave it in an open container for some time before using it. Rainwater can also be used if it is clean and safely collected.
You will need two containers for preparation and one larger container for mixing the finished liquids.
Preparing the Banana Peel Water
Start by cutting the banana peels into small pieces. There is no need to chop them extremely fine. Pieces around an inch or smaller are easy to work with and provide plenty of surface area for the water to contact.
Put the chopped peels into a clean container.
Fill the container with non-chlorinated water until the banana pieces are covered. Do not fill the container completely to the top. Leaving some empty space is useful because the mixture will sit for many days.
Cover the container loosely. Do not seal it tightly.
Place the container somewhere shaded and allow it to sit for at least 10 to 14 days. Keeping it away from direct sunlight is a good idea, especially during hot weather.
During this period, the banana peels will soften and break down. Some of the soluble compounds and minerals from the peels will move into the water.
The mixture may develop a noticeable smell as it sits. That is one reason to keep the container outdoors or in a suitable ventilated area rather than inside the kitchen.
Preparing the Yeast
Once the banana peel water has been sitting for 10 to 14 days, prepare the yeast.
Take another clean container and add a small amount of lukewarm water. The water should feel comfortably warm, not hot.
Add the dry yeast and mix it well.
Let the mixture sit for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. This gives the yeast time to become active in the water.
Avoid using very hot water. Excessive heat can damage or kill yeast, which defeats the purpose of activating it.
You do not need to add a large quantity of yeast. A small amount is enough for this homemade mixture.
Mixing the Two Ingredients
After the yeast has rested for 20 to 30 minutes, prepare a larger container.
If the banana peel mixture contains a lot of pieces, strain the liquid first. Removing the solid material makes the fertilizer easier to handle and prevents chunks of peel from getting into watering cans or containers.
Pour the banana peel liquid into the larger container.
Add the activated yeast mixture and stir everything thoroughly.
The two liquids are now combined into one homemade fertilizer.
At this point, it is better not to apply the concentrated mixture directly to plants. Dilute it with additional water before using it, particularly for young plants, seedlings, and container-grown plants.
How to Apply It to Vegetable Plants
This homemade fertilizer can be used around many common vegetables.
Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, beans, and other garden crops can receive diluted applications during active growth.
The easiest method is to apply the diluted liquid directly to the soil around the plant. Focus on the root zone rather than pouring it over the leaves.
Avoid dumping a strong concentration directly beside the stem. Concentrated homemade fertilizers can sometimes cause problems when they are applied heavily in one spot.
For plants growing in containers, use extra care. Containers have a limited amount of soil, so salts and nutrients can build up more quickly than they would in an open garden bed.
A moderate amount is better than trying to give the plant as much fertilizer as possible.
Using It Around Fruit Trees
Fruit trees can also benefit from occasional applications of homemade organic materials.
For a young fruit tree, use a more diluted solution and apply it around the soil beneath the tree, keeping the liquid away from direct contact with the trunk.
For established trees, apply the diluted fertilizer over the root zone rather than concentrating it in one small area.
The roots of a mature tree extend well beyond the trunk, so spreading the application around the soil is more useful than pouring everything at the base.
This homemade fertilizer should not be considered the only nutrition a fruit tree needs. Trees require a range of nutrients, and their needs can vary depending on the soil, tree age, growing conditions, and crop.
Compost, organic matter, and appropriate fertilizers can still play an important role in maintaining productive soil.
Using It for Flowers and Ornamental Plants
Flowering plants and ornamental plants can also receive this diluted liquid fertilizer.
Apply it to the soil around the plants rather than directly onto flowers or leaves.
Container plants should receive a weaker solution because there is less soil available to spread the nutrients through.
If a plant is stressed, recently transplanted, diseased, or suffering from another problem, do not assume that more fertilizer will fix it. First identify the cause of the problem.
Fertilizer is most useful when plants are already growing under suitable conditions.
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