Gardening doesn’t always have to mean spending money on fancy fertilizers or chemicals. In fact, some of the best garden helpers might already be sitting in your kitchen, garage, or recycling bin. By burying certain common items in the soil, you can enrich nutrient levels, improve drainage, support plant immunity, and even deter pests — all while reducing waste and embracing sustainable gardening. Here are 10 unexpected things worth burying in your garden and why they work.
1. Fish Heads for Nutrient-Rich Soil Power
Heavy-feeding plants like tomatoes thrive when their roots are surrounded by nutrients. Fish heads are packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium — all essential for vigorous plant growth. When you bury a fish head about a foot deep and cover it with soil before planting, it decomposes slowly over time, releasing these nutrients directly where the roots can use them. Gardeners have relied on this age-old technique for generations to naturally fertilize soil and support high yields. Just make sure the fish head is buried deeply enough to avoid attracting unwanted wildlife.
2. Aspirin Water to Strengthen Roots and Immunity
Salicylic acid — the active ingredient in aspirin — isn’t only good for humans; it can give plants a boost too. When one aspirin tablet is dissolved in a gallon of water and used to irrigate plants every few weeks, it stimulates stronger root systems and can help plants fight off disease and stress. This simple garden hack can be especially helpful during periods of intense growth or environmental stress, giving young seedlings a better chance to establish themselves securely in the soil.
3. Rusted Nails to Influence Flower Color Naturally
For gardeners who grow hydrangeas, soil chemistry plays a big role in flower color. Rusted nails contain iron that interacts with the soil and can make it more acidic when they break down. Bury a handful of rusted nails close to the base of your hydrangea bushes to help encourage blue blossoms in acidic soil conditions. While soil tests and pH adjustments are still important, this low-cost trick offers a gentle, natural way to play with bloom colors.
4. Crushed Eggshells for Calcium and Soil Structure
Eggshells are more than just kitchen waste — they’re a rich source of calcium, an element vital for strong cell walls in plants. Crushing eggshells and burying them in the holes where you’re planting peppers, tomatoes, and other crops helps prevent common calcium-related issues like blossom end rot. As the shells gradually decompose, they also improve soil texture and aeration, making it easier for roots to spread.
5. Coffee Grounds to Add Nitrogen and Deter Pests
Used coffee grounds are a gardener’s friend. Their nitrogen content helps fuel plant growth, and when mixed into the top few inches of soil or spread thinly around plants, they improve soil structure and attract beneficial organisms like earthworms. Additionally, the scent and compounds in coffee grounds can discourage pests such as slugs and snails from snacking on tender leaves. Just be cautious not to use too much, as an excess can make soil overly acidic for some plants.
6. Banana Peels for a Potassium Boost
Peels from bananas are an excellent, natural source of potassium — an essential nutrient that supports strong stems, flowers, and fruit development. Chop the peels into small pieces and bury them a few inches deep around the base of your plants. As they break down, they release potassium along with trace amounts of phosphorus and calcium, contributing to healthier, more productive plants without any added chemical fertilizers.
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