For many green-fingered pros, an English garden is not complete without a classic rose. But cultivating and caring for the much-loved plant is easier said than done.
It can also cost you a pretty penny if you shell out on expensive fertiliser. Thankfully, there's a much cheaper fix for those of us who enjoy snacking on bananas - since the peel can be used as a source of potassium.
Additionally, the popular fruit contains much-needed calcium, magnesium, phosphates and sulphur, which are all key for plants.
The helpful tip was shared online after a gardener took to Facebook in need of advice, the Express reports.
Petitioning a group of fellow enthusiasts, a rose lover wrote: "Hi all, can anyone tell me how I prepare my banana skins for plant food? I will be using it primarily on my roses. Thank you in advance," and the replies flooded in.
One person revealed: "I just buried mine whole at the base of the roses. They were only planted last year and were incredible as a result of the banana peel. Don't know if this was the right thing to do, but it certainly didn't do them any harm." A second added: "Go bananas for roses. Place one or two peels whole at the base of each rose, and cover with mulch.
"The bananas will then rot down and release an enormous dose of flowers from the potassium. Repeat the exercise when the roses are in full bloom."
But someone else replied: "I chop mine up with a pair of scissors and scatter around the plant. I use them for roses and hydrangeas. They soon rot down and put their minerals into the soil. Really works. Also for clematis." Another advised: "Chop them up and add to the soil, away from the stem and under where the branches grow."
Meanwhile, other commenters suggested creating a "liquid feed" from your leftover banana peel instead. Offering detailed advice, someone replied: "I make liquid feed with these. Just put them in a bucket or any container with a lid and cover them with water. You can keep adding skins just top up the water.
"Wait about a week to 10 days then you can use it for your plants. I dilute mine a little when feeding. Once you're done with the skins dig them into the garden. But keep out of sunlight whilst soaking them. Plus it stores very well. I had mine in two-litre cola bottles and stored them away till I needed them."
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