Scattering a £1.49 Aldi buy around your plants will stop root rot, slug-proof your garden & banish pesky weeds

The Sun

4 days ago

SUMMER is here and if you're planning on spending it relaxing in your garden, this budget buy may be worth picking up.
Aldi shoppers can pick up the handy item - that's not only delicious to eat but their shells can repel pests from your outdoor space.
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Aldi's £1.49 kitchen buy
Next time you buy Aldi's pistachios - that sell for just £1.49 - don't' just throw their shells into the trash or recycling bin.
For the gardeners among us, they could actually be more useful than you realize.
Just as there are ways to use those old coffee grounds in your garden and plant pots, there are ways to put your pistachio shells to work in your soil.
They have several properties that make them the perfect repellent for pests, including hard, sharp edges, and a very slow breakdown time.
Crushed pistachios scattered around plants make it difficult for pests to enter, and too uncomfortable for them to stick around for any length of time.
They can take up to three years to decompose, so better to have them on pest control while they are doing it rather than just sitting in a landfill reports Chowhound.com.
You can also use whole shells as a top layer in your garden to deter larger animals like squirrels from digging in your garden soil.
Because of the fibrous texture of pistachio shells, they also absorb odors easily, making them amazing little natural diffusers.
Soak the shells in essential oils that act as natural repellents like peppermint oil, sprinkle them around the garden, and watch as pests turn the other way.
Other ways to use pistachio shells in the garden
Pistachio shells work well as mulch, suppressing weeds and balancing moisture in the soil.
Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down
Use whole shells by layering them on top of your soil, or mixing them in with leaf mulch to create a protective layer that helps to regulate soil temperatures and insulate roots.
As the shells slowly break down, they add nutrients to the soil.
This also makes them an excellent addition to compost piles, where they help increase soil aeration, add carbon to soil, and increase microbial activity.
The shells can also be used in potted plants to increase drainage and prevent root rot.
Simply add about an inch of shells to the bottom of your pot before adding your soil.
The shells will collect any excess water that the plant doesn't need, keeping the roots from getting inundated and potentially rotting.
There's just one caveat to using pistachio shells in your garden and potted plants.
Make sure to rinse them before using them if they were salted, as too much sodium in soil can be toxic to plants.
Other garden hacks
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Shelley Carline not only transformed her grubby patio for just £20, but she also swears by a free tip that makes a huge difference to your space.
Wasps pose a menace to many this summer - however, a cleaning whizz has suggested not only a surprising but also affordable way to fend them away.
And luckily for those on a budget, who don't have much cash to splash on pricey cleaning products, this simple trick is totally free.