According to Business Waste, the United Kingdom throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste each year. While much of this is a result of commercial kitchens and large suppliers, the average British household is still estimated to waste almost 2 kilograms of food every day. For context, that’s the equivalent in weight of roughly 5 cans of baked beans or 1 ½ whole roast chickens going straight into the bin every 24 hours.
Not only does this have a significant financial impact, but it also has a severe environmental effect. The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) proposed that 6%-8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced if we minimise food waste. Current food waste in the UK is estimated to contribute 25 megatons of carbon emissions yearly, roughly the same as ¼ of all British transport gases.
It’s vital that we each do our bit to try to counteract this problem. Here at Qwickhose® we love sharng useful tips to help you make the most of your garden space. That’s why we thought we’d give some handy advice on how kitchen waste can benefit your garden, helping you reduce your carbon footprint as well as save yourself money!
Is kitchen waste fertiliser good for plants?
Besides the financial and economic benefits we’ve mentioned above, learning which kitchen waste you should use in the garden is also hugely beneficial to your plants. By definition, food waste is composed entirely of organic matter, which composts exceptionally well.
They’re also incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals that are key for plant life. They give soil nutrients to become healthier, trickling down the minerals to the flowers, vegetables and fruits planted in them.
How to make your own kitchen fertiliser from kitchen waste
Making your fertiliser instead of buying it might seem intimidating at first. Still, by following these simple and straightforward steps, you can make your garden, wallet and the environment much healthier!
1. Be conscious of your shopping habits
When starting the home fertiliser journey, a great place to start is to reassess what you buy. Think about whether or not the foodstuffs you’re purchasing will produce the waste options you need and, if possible, swap out the products that won’t for those that will.
2. Go through your kitchen waste
Vegetables and fruit peelings are the absolute pinnacles when it comes to assessing what kitchen waste acts as a good fertiliser. Packed with vitamin C and calcium, they enrich your soil, making them perfect for composting. It’s also worth keeping hold of nuts, egg shells, tea bags, coffee grounds and even small amounts of soft cardboard, as all of these can make great compost additions.
3. Enrich with other organic materials
Wood ash works best for this, as it contains elements of potassium and has a natural liming effect, reducing the acidity levels of certain soil types. So, next time you have a bonfire, or if you’ve got a wood-burning stove or indoor open fire, consider keeping hold of the ash for your compost heap. Other options for those without access to wood ash include manure or even sawdust, which can be purchased from gardening stores.
4. Augment with garden waste
A great way to ensure that your kitchen waste acts as a good fertiliser is to augment it with garden waste. Grass clippings from mowing or strimming your lawn make a great option. Next time you mow, scoop the organic waste from the lawnmower bag and add it to your kitchen waste compost bin to enhance the results.
5. Mix your compost
By now, your kitchen waste, wood ash (or supplement) and organic garden waste should be in your compost bin, now to make sure it’s thoroughly mixed. We recommend a rotating composter for this, as it’s the best way of ensuring that your kitchen waste and other elements are fully integrated, making it as potent as possible.
However, donning a decent pair of gardening gloves or getting hands-on with a fork or trowel works well too. Make sure you repeat the process, too, with the Royal Horticulture Society suggesting monthly turns to introduce air and ensure the best results.
6. Use your fertiliser
The hardest part of this step is waiting for your kitchen waste fertiliser to be ready. It can take anywhere from three months to two years for your compost to reach full maturity, so ensuring that you plan ahead is vital. The result you’re looking for is a dark, soil-like, crumbly substance. Once this is achieved, it’s ready to be spread.
We suggest using a garden fork instead of a spade to ensure that the compost is spread evenly across the plants you wish to fertilise. Now just sit back and wait for the fantastic results. Make sure you continue to keep your plants well hydrated with consistent watering and well-drained soil to make the most of your homemade food waste fertiliser!
Make caring for your plants easier with the Qwickhose® Starter Set
If you’ve found that your current hose adapters are hard to fit, constantly pop off and need regular replacement, then consider using our innovative Qwickhose® connector that prevents these problems.
The unique wing-lock attachment benefits from a firmer hose grip than standard connectors, reducing leakage and ensuring ease of use. In addition, our starter set includes a space-saving wall mount to keep your garden tidy, as well as a Nozzle Spray End, Tap Connector, Qwickhose® Connector and Qwickhose® No-Flow Connector.
Take a closer look at our Qwickhose® Starter Set here, or get in touch for more information.
