If you want your hydrangeas to bloom with stunning, vibrant colour this spring, you don’t need to spend money on fancy fertilisers. Instead, three common kitchen items can work wonders to nourish your garden plants naturally, and at no cost. Gardening expert, Chris Ware from Climbing Wild Gardeners, a landscaping and gardening service provider, explains that hydrangeas thrive when given a steady supply of nutrients, and these everyday household leftovers provide exactly that.
Chris Ware said: “Hydrangeas produce their best blooms with intense colour when they are well-fed. Instead of relying on shop-bought fertilisers, gardeners can use simple kitchen waste to nourish their plants naturally.” The three kitchen items Ware recommends using are eggshells, coffee grounds, and citrus peels.
According to the expert, eggshells will help boost soil health and strengthen hydrangeas growth.
Crushed eggshells are an excellent natural source of calcium, which helps hydrangeas better absorb nutrients and will make the stems and larger, making more colourful flowers.
Ware said: “Eggshells are an excellent natural fertiliser. They add calcium to the soil, which helps plants absorb nutrients more efficiently, leading to stronger stems and larger flowers.”
First, dry the eggshells out, crush them into a fine powder, and then make sure to sprinkle them around the base of your plants.
Used coffee grounds will also offer valuable nitrogen to the plants and make them bloom better.
Ware recommends using coffee grounds free from oils, and spreading them evenly over the soil to improve the texture of the soil and help retain moisture.
The expert added: “Used coffee grounds provide a valuable source of nitrogen, which promotes lush foliage and enhances flower colour.”
Finally, citrus peels like orange and lemon peel will act as a gradual, long-lasting nutrient boost thanks to its potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, all essential nutrients.
Hydrangeas are known to change flower colour based on soil pH, and using these kitchen scraps can help maintain the ideal soil conditions for ‘intense’ hues.