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I read somewhere that burying a banana peel next to your rose bush's roots can help it along, something about potassium - any truth to that?

I don't see why it wouldn't be true. I use eggshells on almost everything, and composted veggies... all very good for your plants. Maybe chop it up first, help the decomposition along a little.

I've used tea bag leavings, used coffee grounds...

Grandpa's Rose (another mod) said someone in her family put fish guts under his roses every year, they did beautifully. I use liquid fish fertilizer, so just about anything "natural" is likely to help your plants.

kaaryn wrote:I read somewhere that burying a banana peel next to your rose bush's roots can help it along, something about potassium - any truth to that?

There is indeed truth to that. Banana skins do contain potassium which produces a better quality plant. It will help your rose fight off disease and pests and make it more tolerant of drought conditions. I never throw a banana skin or rotten banana away I throw them under my hedge but as Grey said if you chop it up and mix it into the compost it will speed up decomposition releasing the potassium that much quicker.

In addition to banana peels and coffee grounds I have also heard diluted human urine is very good for roses. Ive always been afraid to try it, as it seems a little odd to me but maybe someone can confirm or deny it ?

Hi Kaaryn,

I use chopped up skins when I put my tomato seedlings into their final pot because they are a great source of potassium. Ash from wood burning fires is also a good source for spreading around roses.

As for the urine I know of a few people who pee on their compost heaps as apparantly it is a great accelerator - directly on plants I don't know but it doesn't sound good to me

TO