Roses can be a stunning addition to any garden, but they can be difficult to maintain. One gardener was ready to give up on her David Austin rose plant until she tried a 36p hack
Roses are timeless blooms that fit perfectly in almost every garden and can be grown in containers and borders depending on the variety.
Planting a David Austin rose in winter when it is dormant will allow it to flourish over the winter and spring months. If it blooms slightly during the spring, but then the flowers quickly vanish, it can be disappointing as the stunning blossoms fail to reappear.
However, after fertilising the plant and deadheading, the flowers can show again, but there is another thing that can help the process. John Dempsey, a gardening expert at Housetastic, suggests that applying two to three banana peels to the soil gives a “huge advantage” to newly planted roses, reports the Express.
The expert advised: “You should put a chopped banana in the bottom of the hole before inserting the plant and mix the rest with compost and soil around the new plant.” Gardeners can also utilise this food waste while the plant is actively growing to supply potassium to the soil, enriching it and promoting the flourishing of blooms.
Banana peel can offer several benefits that many plants need to thrive. This includes potassium which can help to strengthen the immune system of roses. According to the expert, it can also prevent them from having weak-looking stems and dull green leaves. The humble banana peel is not just a treat for us humans; it’s packed with calcium, iron, copper and manganese too.
John explained: “Watering the soil thoroughly afterwards will aid in the breakdown of the peels and will support new growth. Putting a banana peel on the ground near the base of a rose plant is the simplest way to increase potassium levels.” He advised: “Chopping the peel first reduces the time it takes for the peel to degrade, allowing the potassium to reach your plants sooner.”
