How Can Orange Peels Be Used In Gardening: Gardening Hacks

Can orange peels be used in gardening? Yes, orange peels have a lot of benefits. They are considered to be non-toxic and renewable. A combination of both “brown” and “green” materials can produce a healthy compost pile. Brown materials such as dry leaves and grass contain a high level of carbon. Orange peels are green materials that can provide a daily dose of nitrogen. If you would like to compost the orange peels, it is suggested to use the right amount as it has a high oil content. However, you can grind them into small portions to make it faster to composts. Read on to learn more.

Compost

Orange peels are great for the compost. Composting is a process of using decomposed organic materials to distribute nutrients in the garden. Orange peels also bring a high level of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the compost. Break down your orange peels into small pieces for faster composting; otherwise, this can take a long time.

Natural Fertilizer

Orange peels can also use as a natural fertilizer in your vegetable garden. As mentioned, orange peels can add nitrogen and nutrients to the soil when they decompose. It can quickly rot when you bury them and can produce rich stores for vital nutrients to the soil, such as calcium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, and more. Another option is to dry and grind the orange peels and use as mulch or put them directly to the plants.

Natural Pest and Animal Repellent

One good thing about orange peel is you can use it as a natural pest and animal repellant, excellent! You can now avoid using hazardous insect or pest repellant to get rid of aphids and ants to your plants. You can rub fresh orange peels on your skin, and it can repel mosquitoes.

Cats and worms do not like citrus. A natural chemical called d-Limonene is present on the orange peels. This chemical can use to destroy the waxy coating on ants and aphids, causing them to suffocate and die. Place the pieces of orange peel around the infected or affect plants. You can also squeeze the orange peel to create a tear and attach it directly to the stem of the plant.

Orange peels are highly fragrant. This repellent scent is useful to keep ants and aphids away from your vegetable garden. You can simmer the orange peels and collect the condensation to produce an orange oil and use it as a natural repellent.

Other Uses of Orange Peels (Non-Garden Related)

Wait, there’s more! Yes, there are so many other ways to use the orange peels, but if you cannot think of another one, don’t be sad, we got you. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• You can make use of orange peels fragrance to freshen your garbage disposal. If you are tired of the bad odor of your garbage, orange peels can help you! Just add the orange peels to your garbage disposal and let the orange peels do the job.
  
• You can make an orange peel candle. Yes! You can use the orange peels to create a candle. Orange peels can produce oils, and you can create a candle using orange oils. The other way to make a candle from orange peels is to eat the middle portion and leave the center stem. You can pour olive oil into the orange. Light the stem, and it will burn and smell amazing, and it is non-toxic.
  
• You can use dried orange peels as kindling to a new fire. Orange peels are a great fire starter. Use the dry peels until it becomes crispy. Add fire, the oils of orange peels are flammable and can catch light easily.
  
• You can use the orange peels as a repellent spray for your dog. You can create a natural repellent spray for your dogs. Simmer the orange peels with water and straining. Let it cool and add to a spray bottle.

Conclusion

Did this article answer your question for “How can orange peels be used in gardening?” As mentioned above, you can use the orange peels in gardening. It has lots of benefits, not just for the health of your plants but also for the soil. This article can prove that orange peels are not just an ordinary waste; you can see how versatile the orange peels are. You can use it in different fields aside form gardening. Instead of throwing the orange peels away, you can now use the orange peels in so many ways.

Use the orange peels moderately. Just use the right amount of orange peels for garden purposes. Orange peels contain a high level of nitrogen, so you should be careful about using it.