Four food scraps that can be used as ‘insecticides’, according to experts

There’s nothing better than having homegrown fruit and vegetables in the fridge. It’s more affordable, sustainable and tastes better than shop-bought items.

Plants, whether it’s crops or even houseplants, tend to look their best when they’re fed correctly.

Feeding is usually done in the spring and summer months when the plants are in the middle of their growing season.

Rarely do plants need to be fertilised during the winter months, even if they bloom in the winter.

Rather than forking out for shop-bought fertilisers which can be expensive, an expert has shared how to use food scraps to fertilise plants.

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Laura Harnett from Seep eco-cleaning products shared how to use banana skins, nut shells, egg shells and coffee grounds to give plants a boost.

She said: “If you don’t have a compost heap or composter, don’t worry as some household waste has a benefit added straight to the soil.

“Banana skins act as an insecticide and also a natural fertiliser for many types of plants.

“Nut shells and egg shells help to aerate soil, which is essential for those who have heavy, clay soil.

“Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen so make a great addition to the soil, especially for a vegetable patch.”

Coffee grounds are particularly loved by houseplants, onions, lettuce and corn.

The unusual hack can also be used to deter pests like slugs and snails from munching on plants.

However, if using coffee grounds is too much inside the house, gardeners can instead mix the grounds in their watering can and then water the plants.

Cinnamon can also be used to reduce fungal growth in plants, particularly houseplants.

The popular festive spice is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial so it helps to protect plants from disease.