How gardeners can get more from their brew: Expert reveals surprising uses for tea bags in your garden
If you want to care for your flowers, plants or vegetables this spring and save money, look no further than the brew between your hands.
Harry Bodell, a gardening expert at Priceyourjob, has explained how the main benefit of using tea bags in gardens is the nitrogen they provide to the soil.
Speak with Woman and houseHarry said: ‘Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth. Tea bags provide a gentle, long-lasting release. The organic material in tea bags is also great at improving soil drainage and aeration.”
Read below to discover three more surprising ways tea bags can be used to help your garden thrive.
If you want to take care of your flowers, plants or vegetables this spring and save money, look no further than the brew between your hands (stock photo)
IMPROVES COMPOST
Tea bags serve as an excellent addition to compost piles, enriching the nutrient content and accelerating decomposition.
As they break down, tea bags release nitrogen and other essential minerals into the compost, creating a nutrient-rich soil amendment that promotes robust plant growth.
Jane Dobbs, head gardener at Allens Gardeners, said: ‘Tea bags can be an effective source of nutrients for your plants. If you use tea bags as fertilizer, choose organic brands and compost them.”
The experts recommend removing the tea bag from the paper casing before composting as this speeds up the process, resulting in faster decomposition of the leaves.
However, Jane cautioned that it is important to add other organic matter to your compost pile as this will balance the nutrients it receives.
MOISTURE RETENTION
There’s nothing like the feeling of sitting in your garden on a clear summer day and enjoying colorful pots of flowers and plants. However, the sun can also dry out the soil in your shrubs much faster.
Tea bags act as a natural moisture regulator, helping to retain water in the soil and prevent dehydration, especially in dry or hot climates.
By placing tea bags around the base of plants or working them into potting soil mixes, the method helps maintain optimal soil moisture levels, allowing plants to access the water they need to thrive.
Don’t forget to water more often in the summer months, because the tea bags only help retain the existing moisture and do not add more themselves.
ATTRACTS WORMS
Tea bags are a natural magnet for earthworms, and by burying tea bags in your garden bed, gardeners may be able to attract the critters faster than you can make a cup of brew (stock photo)
These creepy crawlies may scare some gardeners, but earthworms are essential allies in maintaining healthy soil structure and fertility.
Worms are extremely useful when gardeners need to manage lawn thatch or want to attract more wildlife to your outdoor space, such as butterflies, hedgehogs, birds and frogs.
Harry said: ‘Worms are a huge benefit as they not only improve aeration but also increase the nutritional value of your soil.’
Fortunately, tea bags are a natural magnet for earthworms, and by burying tea bags in your garden bed, gardeners may be able to attract the critters faster than you can make a cup of brew.