I Saw My Neighbor Planting Tea Bags In Her Yard And I Thought She Was Crazy Until She Explained
This story originally appeared at American Web Media.
Compost Booster:
Not only can tea bags with paper or muslin bags can go right in the compost bin, they actually speed up the decomposition of your other organic produce. (Just make sure to take out any staples). If the bag isn’t biodegradable, just cut off the bag and sprinkle the tea leaves inside.
Plant feed:
Used tea bags double as a handy fertilizer because of their tannic acid, which in turn foster increased nitrogen levels. Many plants, including roses and potted plants, will benefit from the elevated levels, so mix or spread those steeped tea leaves right onto the soil.
Pest Deterrent:
Pre-steeped bags are a great way to rid your garden of slugs, bugs, and rodents: just sprinkle the wet or dry leaves directly onto the soil. According to Tip Hero, the caffeine also deters pests from eating, nibbling, or peeing on your garden turf.
Anti-fungal:
Watering your plants with a used tea bag-infused spritzer can also help prevent fungicide. Chamomile tea is particularly efficient; just steep a couple of tea bags for 16-24 hours, and then spray.
Grass Booster:
Tea bags can also help your grass stay green and pristine. Just soak the grass seed in brewed tea before seeding your lawn, or plant your lawn with used tea bags. The nutrient-rich brew will eventually seep into the surrounding soil.
Stronger Seeds:
Tea leaves are also surprisingly useful when it comes to germinating new plants; just place a seed inside a dampened tea bag, place it in a window, and watch your new plant grow!
Weed Killer:
If you’d like to rid your garden of weeds without drowning the whole thing in chemicals, surprise! Used tea bags once again come to the rescue. Apply a mixture of tea, citrus, water; tea steeped with vinegar and citrus; or simply spray brewed black tea directly on the weeds.
Healing Leaves
There’s a good chance that all of this gardening could lead to bug bites, poison ivy, and/or sunburn. Used tea bags can help with these common gardening hazards, too! Just apply the used bag directly on the affected area. You can also use tea bags as a compress, or sprinkle it directly into your bath.
