The hidden potential of watermelon peels: from waste to gardening gold

In the world of gardening, sometimes what seems like waste can have incredible potential. Unpretentious watermelon peels, often thrown away without a second thought, can actually be the key to enriching the soil and getting a bountiful harvest. SSPDaily explores innovative ways to turn this seemingly insignificant waste into valuable resources for the garden.

Fertilizing the soil with watermelon peels

The easiest way to get the most out of these peels is to add them to your compost pile. The procedure is quite simple: throw the peels into the compost pile and turn them over from time to time. After they decompose, you will get a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Some gardeners choose to cover the compost heap with a thin layer of soil to speed up the decomposition process.

However, there are even more inventive methods of recycling watermelon peels:

Making a "warm bed"

To start this journey, you will need some additional materials such as sawdust and spunbond, a textile material made up of thin polymer fibers. Here's how to make a "warm bed":

1. Dig a trench in the center of the bed, about two-thirds of its width and at least 30 centimeters deep.

2. Form mounds on either side of the trench using the excavated soil.

3. Place large watermelon peels, followed by smaller plant debris, and cover with easily biodegradable material, such as straw.

4. Apply a large amount of urea or other nitrogen-rich fertilizer, followed by the biological preparation.

This scheme utilizes the heat generated by the microflora, which breaks down organic matter. For optimal efficiency, an adequate supply of nitrogen is required. Typically, 1 liter of nitrogen fertilizer is sufficient for 2-3 square meters of bed.

After enriching the bed with fertilizers, it is recommended to treat it with a biological preparation that can destroy pathogenic microorganisms and prevent root rot. After that, fill the trench with soil, level the surface, and cover it with black spunbond. After a week, you can plant your desired plants.

Making a nutrient pot

For those cases when half of the watermelon is left without juicy flesh, there is a great opportunity to make a nutrient pot. Here are the simplified instructions:

1. Make drainage holes in the bottom of the watermelon peel using a large nail.

2. Fill the peel with soil.

3. Moisten the soil.

4. Plant a low-maintenance plant, such as mint.

Over time, the watermelon will slowly fill the soil with nutrients. Just remember to keep watering your makeshift plantation.