Banana peel soak is one of the simplest and most effective ways to create an organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants.
This DIY method extracts potassium, phosphorus, and other essential minerals from banana peels, delivering them directly to your garden or houseplants in an easily absorbable form.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the materials needed and provide a detailed step-by-step process to make banana peel soak fertilizer at home.
Materials Needed
To create your banana peel soak fertilizer, you’ll need to prepare:
- Banana peels: 2–3 peels, fresh or slightly dried.
- Water: 1 liter
- Container: A glass jar, plastic container, or any food-safe vessel with a lid.
- Knife or scissors
- Strainer
- Measuring cup (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Banana Peel Soak Fertilizer
Step 1: Prepare the Banana Peels
First, you take 2–3 fresh banana peels and ensure they are clean by rinsing off any dirt or pesticide residue.
Next, you use a knife or scissors to cut the peels into smaller pieces (around 1–2 inches). This increases the surface area for nutrient extraction.
Step 2: Place the Peels in a Container
Now, put the cut banana peels into a glass jar or plastic container. Choose a container large enough to accommodate the peels and water with some room for stirring or shaking.
Step 3: Add Water
Pour 1 liter of water into the container, fully submerging the banana peels. You can use filtered or tap water as per your convenience.
Step 4: Soak the Peels
Next, you seal the container with a lid to prevent contamination and odors. Let the banana peels soak for 24–48 hours at room temperature. This allows the nutrients to leach out into the water, creating a nutrient-rich solution.
In addition, you can shake or stir the container occasionally to ensure even nutrient extraction.
Step 5: Strain the Mixture
After soaking, use a strainer to separate the liquid fertilizer from the leftover banana peels. Then, save the strained liquid in a watering can or spray bottle for easy application.
Tips: Instead of discard the leftover peels, you can add them to your compost pile or bury them in your garden soil for additional slow-release nutrients.
How to Use Banana Peel Soak Fertilizer
For soil application, you can pour the liquid fertilizer directly onto the soil around your plants. Use about 1 cup per small plant or 2–3 cups for larger plants, depending on their size.
If you prefer using foliar spray, transfer the liquid into a spray bottle and mist it onto the leaves of your plants. This method works well for houseplants and flowering plants.
Remember that you just use the banana peel soak fertilizer once every 1–2 weeks for best results.
