Banana Peel Compost Tea

Step 1: Chop banana peels.

Following homesteading blogs gives me some great information. Because my floating garden and deck pots drain into the lake, I’m always interested in finding organic means for pest control and plant nutrition. I learned at about Banana Peel Compost Tea at Survival at Home.

We frequently eat bananas for breakfast and I always cut up the peels to go into my compost pile, but thought this new way of using them was worth a try.

The article said banana peels are high in three major nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Here are the directions to extract these nutrients for garden use.

Banana Peel Compost Tea

Step 2: Add peels to water and refrigerate.

1. Fill a container about ¾ full of water.
2. Chop banana peels and put in the water.
3. Refrigerate to preserve the liquid.
4. Continue to add chopped peels until full.
5. Strain the liquid into another container.
6. Store in the refrigerator until use.

Soaking the banana peels extracts the nutrients and chopping the peels makes this process easier. Once you strain your first batch, start over again. The remaining banana peels can be added to the compost pile. The banana peels will turn black, but refrigeration will keep the compost tea fresh.

Uses for Banana Peel Compost Tea

Step 3: Strain the liquid and store in fridge.

1. To use it as a liquid fertilizer, mix one cup of the compost tea in one gallon of water. Use it to water around the base of plants.

2. To use it as a natural aphid control, mix the compost tea 1:5 with water (one part tea and five parts water) in a spray bottle. Spray plant leaves and stems. Aphids hate bananas, plus the plants will absorb the mixture for extra nutrients.

Step 4: Dilute with water before use.

Last year aphids attacked my kale with a vengeance. Insecticidal soap didn’t faze them one bit, so I was curious about this homemade remedy. I don’t know if it was the crushed Marigold flowers or the Banana Peel Compost Tea spray, but this year’s aphids have disappeared completely. Just in case, I’ll keep doing both applications throughout the hot summer months. -- Margy