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Many people regard oranges as their favorite fruit. There is nothing as gratifying as eating fresh oranges or drinking a glass of fresh orange juice. But, what can be done with leftover peels? Are orange peels good for plants?
Yes! orange peels are good for plants because they’re ideal for creating a healthy soil and a pest-free garden. Don’t throw them away but instead use them in your garden and minimize household waste. Orange peels will also reduce spraying chemicals to grow healthy and beautiful plants.
How Can Plants Benefit from Orange Peels?
There are many household scraps that can make your garden shine, and orange peels are one of them. As soon as you peel an orange, its sweet scent immediately fills the air.
Many people think that as soon as you eat the orange itself or squeeze its juice, the peel’s job is over. The next thing to do is to throw the peel to the nearest trash can.
More and more folk are now realizing that once you have consumed the orange, there are still many ways you can use the orange.
So, are orange peels good for plants? Yes, they are! Orange peels have many uses for your plants to benefit from.
Here Are the Many Ways Your Plants Can Benefit From Orange Peels.
Orange Peels Can Acidify the Soil
Some plants, like perennials, vegetables, and flowers need slightly acidic soil to grow and thrive. You can use orange peels as an acidifier.
How Do You Use Orange Peels to Acidify the Soil?
Method 1:
- Dry the orange peels.
- Grind the orange peels into powder form.
- Sprinkle the orange peel powder on top of the soil.
- Mix the powder in the first inch of soil.
Method 2:
- orange peels.
- Grind the peels.
Add some water into the ground orange peels.
- Spray the mixture to the soil and plants.
The mixture will decrease the acidity of the soil and boosts its nutrients.
You can also place some shredded orange peels into the hole on the ground before planting.
Most substances such as water usually have neutral 7 pH. This means they are not alkaline r acidic. Orange peels, on the other hand, have pH 3 and a little above pH 4.
The amount of pH will change depending on the amount of orange peel powder you mixed with the soil.
Aside from increasing the acidity of the soil, the orange peels can also supply your plant with other nutrients.
Orange Peels Make Good Fertilizer
Orange peels are high in sulfur, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients.
These nutrients can boost the growth of your plants.
How Can You Use Orange Peels for Fertilizer?
- Finely cut the orange peels.
- Dry the orange peels.
- Blend the orange peels into fine powder.
- Stir the powder into the soil.
Nitrogen is the most essential nutrient your plant’s needs. All good fertilizers are high in nitrogen content. Once mixed into the soil, the ground orange peels will release their nitrogen content and make your soil rich in nutrients that your plants will love.
Orange Peels are Good for your Compost
Composting is the process of using decomposed organic materials to restock nutrients in your plants. Composting combines the benefits of using natural fertilizers and minimizing your waste materials.
Compost is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to nourish your plants.
Orange peels contain nutrients (potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen) that will blend and break down into “black gold” soil to give your plants a terrific boost.
Adding orange peels to compost will make it exceptionally nutritious. As the orange peels decompose, nitrogen will be added to your compost.
Note, however, that the acidity and natural chemicals in orange peels can cause worms and other microorganisms to die slowing down the decomposition in your compost pile.
You may need to chop the orange peels into tiny bits so they will not take forever to break down and be the reason you cannot use your compost the soonest.
A Balanced Compost Needs the Following Materials:
- Brown materials that add carbon to the compost mix (straw and leaves).
- Green materials that add nitrogen to the compost mix (weeds and grass clippings).
Orange peels are considered green materials when composting. Mix them with carbonaceous materials (brown materials) to form humus organic dark material formed in the soil when plant and animal wastes decay).
Chop the orange peels into small pieces because they will degrade faster. Mix them well with the rest of your compost materials, too because are extremely high in nitrogen and naturally acidic.
Do not add orange peels if you are doing your own vermicomposting
(a process to decompose organic waste) because worms will not eat them.
As a bonus, orange peels can protect your compost from pests and scavengers because many of them do not like the smell of orange peels.
Orange Peels are a Natural Pest Repellant
Orange peels contain d-Limonene, an effective all-natural insecticide. This chemical can damage the nervous system of pests causing them to suffocate and eventually die.
D-Limonene tears down the waxy coatings in pests, specifically on aphids and ants.
D-Limonene is safe for your plants. It is an active ingredient in many eco-friendly bug sprays.
Plant pests such as aphids may be small, but they can cause havoc to your plants. If you do not want to use chemical pesticides, orange peels can be your best solution
Orange peels can keep away aphids, mosquitoes, and bugs from your plants because you can use them as a natural pest spray repellant.
Method 1:
- Cut the orange peels so that they are small enough to fit into your spray bottle.
- Fill your spray bottle with hot water.
- Shake the spray bottle well so the mixture will thoroughly cool.
- Spay your orange peel repellant on the aphids.
Method 2:
- Boil one-half cup of orange peels in water for 10 minutes.
- Strain out the orange peels.
- Pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
- Spray your plants once or twice a week.
You can also place orange peels around plants that are often attacked by pests.
Your orange peel insect repellant is safe on your plants. It is a natural and chemical-free way to repel bugs.
The fragrance of orange peels keeps pests away from your plants, too.
Note that using orange peels as insect repellants are effective only on mild infestations.
You may need to spray other organic insect repellants or pesticides for larger insect infestations.
Orange Peels Keep Critters
Bugs are not the only things that despise the fragrance of orange peels. Cats and dogs hate them, too.
You can place shredded pieces of orange peels blended with some coffee grounds around the edge of your garden or sprinkle the blend in your garden and their scent will keep cats and dogs away.
Shallowly burying shredded orange peels in the soil can keep pests away, too.
You can also try to place orange peels in spots where these animals usually dig on the ground to discourage them from digging.
The combination of orange peels and coffee ground can also fertilize the soil.
- Orange Peels Can Be Used as A Seed Starter Orange peels make good organic seed starters. You can use orange peels as the base where your seedlings can hatch.
- Poke small holes at the bottom of the orange peel. The holes will serve as drainage.
- Fill the orange peel with potting mix.
- Add the seeds.
- Water the seeds.
- When your seedlings are ready for transplanting, transfer the seedling and orange peel into the soil.
The orange peel will compost in the soil. It will further serve as nourishment for your plant to grow quickly and healthy.
Orange Peels Attract Butterflies
Plants need butterflies for pollination as well as for ambiance and color. While some creatures despise orange peels, they can be used to attract butterflies to your garden.
Leave the orange peels in a shallow dish and place them in your garden. The sweet fragrance and leftover juices of orange peels will attract butterflies to your garden.
Use Orange Peels to Drive Away Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes hate the smell of orange peels. Throw some orange peels in your garden to drive away mosquitoes. When the orange peels dry, they will lose their fragrance and, therefore, will no longer be effective in driving mosquitoes away.
Use Orange Peels to Get Rid of Ants
Ants are a big threat to your garden because they help aphids spread and disturb the soil causing damage to your plants.
You can use orange peels to get rid of ants. Chop the orange peels into small pieces and place them near the entry points of the ants.
Final Thoughts
An affirmative answer to the question, are orange peels good for your plants? may make you form the habit of never throwing away another orange peel, and instead, using them in your garden.
Doesn’t it also make you stop and wonder about the good uses for other household waste? …………..
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
FAQs
Do orange peels help your garden? They sure can. Orange peels contain nutrients that can help feed your soil when added to compost or the soil in general. Orange peels also offer natural pest repelling properties which can also keep your plants and you protected.
Does orange peel deter garden pests? ›
Use chopped up orange peels near your plants
The pungent smell of orange peels can help deter some pests and rodents away from the plants,' Kevin explains. However, Kevin urges you to ask fast and ensure you cut when the pieces are still fresh. 'You need to replace them once they have dried out,' the expert adds.
Are orange peels good for potted plants? ›
Orange peels can be used to enrich your soil and help you grow healthy garden plants. A countertop compost bin is a great way to save those orange peels so you can make your own orange peel fertilizer easily.
How do I use orange peels in my vegetable garden? ›
Organic Authority recommends placing pieces of orange peel around affected plants or creating a tear in the orange peel and attaching it directly to the stem of the affected plant. Orange peels contain d-Limonene, a natural chemical that destroys the waxy coating on ants and aphids, causing them to suffocate and die.
Can I bury orange peels in my garden? ›
Orange Peels
Also, aphids and ants really do not like the scent of oranges, so you can bury the peels shallowly in your garden soil, or shred pieces of it and scatter that across your garden. Additionally, similar to one of the many uses of eggshells, you can use half of an orange peel to plant a seed!
Can I water my plants with orange peel water? ›
Orange peels and orange oils won't harm plants or pets. If you want to keep your cat away from your potted plants and deter insects from setting up shop, an orange peel-infused natural repellant will harmlessly serve both purposes. Fill a reusable spray bottle with finely diced orange peels and water.
Which plants like orange peels? ›
Orange peels to add acidity to soil
Some plants, like hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and camellias, thrive in acidic soil - so for those looking to plant them, orange peels is a great addition.
Can I throw orange peels on the ground? ›
Orange peels are beneficial to plants and the soil because they contain high amounts of nitrogen. The peelings make excellent fertilizer – you can grind them up and spread them around the soil.
Does orange peel attract ants? ›
According to HomeTipsWorld and their article here, ants really do hate orange peel. Specifically: Did you know, mix orange peels and water, spray the solution outside your home, will prevent ants from coming in. Similar thing goes for using orange peels to keep flies away.
How long does it take for orange peel to decompose in soil? ›
Orange peels: It is estimated that orange peels take around 6 months to decompose, although in drier environments like Central Oregon, oranges can last indefinitely.
The gardener recommends boiling a few orange peels in a cup of water for ten minutes, then straining the liquid into a spray bottle (such as this one from Amazon) once cool. 'Spray this every 3-4 days to get rid of pests like slugs, aphids, ants, whiteflies, and fruit flies – and to keep them away,' Kevin says.
Do orange peels attract bugs? ›
The monoterpene limonene in orange peels attracts pests and microorganisms.
Why should you not throw away orange peels? ›
Just beneath the skin peels lies an abundance of fruit acids and vitamin C. The peels even have more phytonutrients and flavonoids than the inner pulp – which most of us have been tossing down the drain.
Does orange peel keep slugs away? ›
Feed them citrus peels
Slugs love citrus, so don't throw away your orange or lemon rinds. Instead put them in your garden to bait the slugs and snails away from your plants. In the morning, check your peels to see if any slugs or snails are on them, and remove these from your garden.
Is orange and lemon peel good for the garden? ›
Add citrus to the list of things you may not have known you can compost. The myth that citrus rinds ward off good bugs in compost is not true. In fact, the smell of citrus may help keep scavenging rats and birds out of your compost pile. Tear citrus peels into smaller pieces to help it decompose more quickly.
Do orange peels attract birds? ›
The Oriole is the most popular bird you will find feeding from your oranges. Other birds that also enjoy oranges are cardinals, cedar waxwings, tanagers, finches and woodpeckers. Oranges are easy to feed to your neighborhood birds, just nail a halved orange, or orange peels to a tree or fence post in your yard.
Does orange peel repel mosquitoes? ›
Rubbing orange peels directly on the skin can be an effective mosquito repellent. Insects in generally find the odor of orange oil offensive.
Do co*ckroaches like orange peels? ›
It's been said through the decades that co*ckroaches detest citrus flavor. They don't. co*ckroaches would find themselves perfectly at home inside anything from an orange peel to a citrus grove. There's just no validity to this one.
What can you do with leftover orange peels? ›
Use orange peel to get baking!
- Zest up your meals. Use orange zest in recipes for a delicious, fresh tangy hit – they're great in cakes and salad dressings. ...
- Stop brown sugar hardening. ...
- Make candied orange peel. ...
- Make orange peel-infused olive oil. ...
- Drink it in tea. ...
- Turn it into a sponge. ...
- Remove water spots. ...
- Polish wood.
Orange peels help in repelling spiders, and it will not cost you much. The crawling insect is not friends with citrus scents, and it can be the most effective solution for your problem. You only have to cut the peel in chunks and place it inside a container with boiling water.
Fights constipation: Orange peels contain non-soluble polysaccharides like pectin, which prevent constipation and improve health of the digestive system. They also fight acidity and heart burn. A healthy digestive system has been linked to quicker, more effective weight loss.
Are orange peels good for anything? ›
Orange peels are rich in fiber, vitamins, and disease-fighting polyphenols. They also contain limonene, a chemical that may protect against skin cancer.
Is orange peel a natural pesticide? ›
According to The Ashton Homestead, the orange peels contain a natural insecticide called D-Limonene that will repel everything from slugs, ants and fruit flies to dogs and foxes. The smell of citrus puts them off, giving you pest-free plants for (almost) free.
What can I use old oranges for? ›
Turn old oranges into pomanders
Pomanders have been used for centuries to fill small spaces with a delightful fragrance as well as to combat moths. They're also incredibly easy to make. Take a bunch of cloves and stick them into an old orange, covering the whole surface.
Does it take 2 years for orange peel to decompose? ›
Orange peels can take as long as two years to decompose. There is a common misconception that “natural trash” such as orange peels, banana peels, apple cores, and shells from nuts and seeds are okay to leave behind on the trail, in campgrounds, or in other outdoor spaces.
Can you put orange peels in toilet? ›
Balloons, hot dogs, golf balls, orange peels and more can all make it down with a full flush.
Can I throw banana peels in my garden? ›
Chop the peels, then add to your garden's soil directly. To do so, chop your banana peels into 1/4 inch pieces — by chopping them, you kick start the composting process, and release some of the beneficial vitamins and minerals in the peels. Bury them anywhere from 4 inches down to just beneath the surface of the soil.
What color are ants least attracted to? ›
invicta workers do have color vision and have a preference for green, orange and red and least prefer blue. “Many people would not consider studying if ants have color vision because ants generally rely on chemicals instead of vision when exploring their environments,” Carbaugh said.
Will orange peels keep squirrels away? ›
Citrus fruit peels – Save a big container or orange and lemon peels from over the winter months. When it is spring planting time, bury the old rinds just under the top of the soil and they will discourage the squirrels.
Do orange peels repel cats? ›
Try placing citrus peels like oranges and lemons under your tree skirt. In general most cats detest citrus and will keep their distance.
Papter towel and toilet paper rolls can be recycled or composted! If you have a compost pail in the bathroom (which we recommend due to being able to compost tissues and cotton swaps with paper sticks), toilet paper rolls can go into the compost as well!
Can I throw orange peels out the window? ›
And just like banana peels, orange peels take about six months to decompose fully and shouldn't be thrown out the window. Natural litter is still litter, no matter how fast it decomposes. However, throwing an orange peel in grass or a garden can act as a natural fertilizer and insecticide.
What should you not put in compost? ›
DON'T add meat scraps, bones, grease, whole eggs, or dairy products to the compost pile because they decompose slowly, cause odors, and can attract rodents. DON'T add pet feces or spent cat liter to the compost pile. DON'T add diseased plant material or weeds that have gone to seed.
Are flies attracted to orange peels? ›
1. Orange peels – Flies hate the scent of citrus fruit (like oranges and lemons). Leave orange peels around window sills and doors to keep flies away. Another related trick (especially for the outdoors) is to place cloves into oranges or lemons.
Do animals eat orange peels? ›
Those thick, sharp-tasting orange peels that people would never dream of eating are “snack heaven” for cows. Not only does the cow get good roughage and vitamins, but it also gets an antimicrobial boost from the peel's essential oils.
Do spiders hate orange? ›
It's easy to keep spiders away using natural products. These eight-legged creatures hate the smell of citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. They also don't like peppermint oils, tea tree oils, eucalyptus, and vinegar. Using any of these around your home will keep spiders away.
Do rats like oranges? ›
However, be we urban or rural dwellers, we are not the only creatures that enjoy the ripe fruit hanging on our trees. Rattus rattus, the naked-tailed roof rat, a nonnative but ubiquitous local resident, has a fondness for many of our backyard fruits with a special affinity for oranges.
Do bugs hate dryer sheets? ›
Most dryer sheets contain the ingredient linalool, which can be found in plants like lavender, basil, and coriander, all of which naturally repel common garden pests. Similar studies found that this ingredient is also useful for repelling bugs like mites, weevils, beetles, and German co*ckroaches.
Why you shouldn't throw banana peels? ›
Unlike plastics and manufactured waste products, organic products waste like banana peels will decompose within a short period, but they are still out of place in the ecosystem. Banana peels are slippery waste products that may cause accidents in nature.
Do worms eat orange peels? ›
Oranges are highly acidic and can harm the worms. They throw off the pH balance in the bin, which can cause noxious odors and even worm die-off. Your bin can probably handle orange peels, pulp and flesh in small quantities. In general, though, citrus fruit is bad news for worm bins.
Slugs dislike plants with heavily fragranced foliage, like many common herbs. They also dislike plants with fuzzy or furry foliage. Slugs are a favorite food of many different predators. Encourage birds, snakes, lizards, toads, frogs, ground beetles, and other natural predators to make a home in your garden.
Does Vaseline stop slugs? ›
Petroleum jelly can be a good way to protect potted plants from slug damage. The slippery texture of petroleum jelly makes it difficult for a slug to grip onto a surface. How it works: Apply this jelly in a band around the rim of your flower pots, containers, and even the stalks of your plants using petroleum jelly.
Does coffee drive away slugs? ›
Coffee grounds are already recommended as a home remedy for keeping slugs and snails at bay. Grounds repel slugs, Hollingsworth found, but a caffeine solution is much more effective, he says: "Slugs turn back immediately after contacting the [caffeinated soil]."
Do citrus peels attract animals? ›
Dog and Cat Repellant
If you want to stop your pets from visiting your garden, try using citrus peels. Most cats and dogs hate the smell of citrus peels. Just mix small pieces of citrus peel with used coffee grounds and scatter them around your plants.
How do you make pesticides from orange peels? ›
Make an insect spray by steeping the peels from one orange in 2 cups of boiling water for at least 24 hours. Pour the liquid into a squirt bottle and go after those pests. To get rid of fleas, spray the natural insecticide around a room, especially on carpets, furniture and pet beds.
What do orange peels repel in the garden? ›
The gardener recommends boiling a few orange peels in a cup of water for ten minutes, then straining the liquid into a spray bottle (such as this one from Amazon) once cool. 'Spray this every 3-4 days to get rid of pests like slugs, aphids, ants, whiteflies, and fruit flies – and to keep them away,' Kevin says.
What does oranges keep away? ›
It's said that roaches, ants, and other pests can't stand the smell of orange oil. You can even use it to get rid of aphids! Here's how to make a natural repellent that'll keep them away: Peel the orange rinds off from the fruit, removing as much of the white inner portion as possible with a small knife.
Do slugs like orange peel? ›
Feed them citrus peels
Slugs love citrus, so don't throw away your orange or lemon rinds. Instead put them in your garden to bait the slugs and snails away from your plants. In the morning, check your peels to see if any slugs or snails are on them, and remove these from your garden.
