Onions are an indispensable vegetable in the kitchen. It is used to prepare culinary dishes almost every day. Before using it, you must "undress". Onion husks are sent to the trash can as garbage. But this is a unique raw material for dyeing eggs for Easter, preparing strengthening hair masks, a remedy for colds and coughs, and most importantly - an environmentally friendly fertilizer for the garden.
The composition and useful properties of onion peel
There is a proverb among the people: "Onion from seven ailments." Onion peels are no less useful than the vegetable itself. Its composition is unique and contains a variety of mineral and vitamin substances. Among them are carotene, phytoncides, vitamins of the PP and B groups. After being introduced into the ground, all these useful elements are of great benefit to the soil and garden plants.
A family of three eats about 120 kilograms of onions per year. For a year, you can collect up to 6 kilograms of onion husks. This amount is enough to process a large summer cottage.
The main properties of the substances included in the onion scales:
- Carotene. This substance is a unique antioxidant that helps to increase the resistance of plants to various diseases. It fights well against fungus and rot, being a powerful immunostimulant;
- Phytoncides. This component is located in large quantities on the surface of the onion husk. This protective substance is aimed at eliminating the activity of foreign bacteria and microbes. They suppress the activity of fungal spores, are capable of destroying unicellular organisms, such as ciliates;
- B vitamins. They are found in abundance both in the onion itself and in its scales. Thanks to this, they can be used to accelerate the growth of seedlings. The root system and stems are strengthened;
- Nicotinic acid or PP vitamins. Very useful for stimulating the growth of vegetables and trees in dark areas. Particularly suitable for growing in heavy soils. It accelerates the conversion of nitrogen into oxygen, thereby strengthening the roots and stems of plants.
Using a decoction of onion peels for watering indoor flowers reduces the risk of root rot by almost 100%.
Application of onion peels
Husk is a versatile fertilizer that is suitable for both indoor and garden vegetables. There is no difficulty in preparing a useful composition, which can be prepared in the following ways:
- Boiling.
- Insisting in cool water.
- Hulling directly into the soil.
It is necessary to boil the scales for several minutes, then the broth is cooled and infused for two to three hours. More beneficial properties remain in the fertilizer prepared by infusing the husk in cool water. The process is longer, it will take from one to two days.
Never prepare an onion infusion in reserve. It must be used within a few hours after preparation. Otherwise, the broth will simply "sour" and will not bring any benefit to the plants. "
Dry scales are introduced into the soil in the spring before digging. It can also be added directly to the wells before planting seedlings or seeds. To do this, it should be crushed and mixed with ash. Such a composition will not only saturate the soil with useful substances, but also scare off pests.
Spraying against pests
Onion hulls are very effective in controlling a large number of pests. Any formulations sold in specialized stores are poisonous, so the gardener has to follow a number of measures so as not to harm his body. Onion peel is completely safe, it will not only scare away pests, but also saturate plants with useful substances.
The most effective decoction of onion scales is to combat the following pests:
- Colorado beetle;
- Apple moth;
- Aphid;
- Thrips;
- Fleas;
- Spider mite.
To prepare the broth, you need to take two handfuls of uncrushed scales and pour 10 liters of warm water. Put on fire and simmer for no more than 5 minutes, avoiding a strong boil. Then remove from heat, cover and let it brew for at least 4 hours. Before use, the solution must be diluted at the rate of 2 liters of broth per 10 liters of water.
Spraying is carried out both from a spray bottle and pouring from a regular watering can.
Processing is carried out only in the early morning or at sunset. Otherwise, the plants can get severe burns.
To combat thrips or spider mites, a more concentrated solution must be prepared: for one liter jar of husk, you need to take 2 liters of warm water. Leave the infusion for two days and strain. Then dilute with water in a ratio of one to two and add a little soap. We try to process the leaves on both sides.
To combat aphids on tomatoes and pickles, you need to prepare the onion infusion as follows: pour 1 glass of husk with 10 liters of boiling water and stand for at least 12 hours. The finished broth is filtered and applied to the plant by spraying. You can also just wash the leaves with infusion. The site can be processed every 4 days. If aphids do not appear, use the onion prophylaxis solution by spraying it with a spray bottle every two weeks.
A decoction prepared in the same way is an excellent bactericidal agent.
When spraying the broth, try to get onto the entire surface of the plant. Especially on the back of the leaves. This will provide a long lasting bactericidal effect.
Fertilizer for tomatoes and cucumbers
Now many people talk about the benefits of using natural fertilizers to grow organic vegetables and fruits. The beneficial properties of onion husks have been used in plant growing since ancient times.
Some of the main benefits of onion peel as fertilizer:
- Natural product. It is completely harmless when applied;
- Will not harm young seedlings, strengthens the root system and stem;
- Availability. The fertilizer cost is already included in the main vegetable - onion. So there is no need for any additional material costs;
- Ease of preparation and use;
- Rich in mineral and vitamin composition.
The use of onion fertilizer is possible for any garden crops. Watering the seedlings has a special effect.
For tomatoes, the infusion can be used from the moment the seedlings are grown, to the processing of the plant during flowering and fruiting. Spraying the tomato once a week speeds up the formation of ovaries. If the tomato leaves began to turn yellow, it is worth carefully treating the bush with infusions and the problem will recede. When watering seedlings after planting in the ground, 500 milliliters of infusion is used for each well, as the plant matures, the dosage triples.
After pouring onion peel broth under the tomato, the plant must be well watered.
Onion peels are very convenient to use for feeding cucumbers, a double effect is obtained - fertilizing and protecting it from aphids and other pests.
For growing carrots or potatoes, chopped onion skins can be added directly to a hole or ditch before planting. Plants will be reliably protected from pests and will receive excellent nutrition.
Use for indoor plants
It is an excellent fertilizer for indoor flowers. It is better to use onion broth at the rate of a small handful of husks and 1,500 milliliters of warm water. The solution is boiled for about 7 minutes, then cooled and filtered. And the miracle remedy is ready.
Used for spraying the surface of leaves and spilling the top layer... Such treatment of indoor plants will saturate them with minerals and vitamins, as well as provide reliable protection against diseases and parasitic microorganisms.
Excess broth should not be refrigerated until next use. It tends to go bad.
It is worth watering and processing home flowers no more than once every two weeks. Such care will strengthen the plants, allow them to fully develop and grow.
Features of the use of onion scales in the garden
This beneficial fertilizer can be harvested throughout the year., the main thing is that the onion husks remain dry, otherwise the decay process will begin. To store it, you can use a regular cardboard box, a grid for storing vegetables, or any other container that will provide sufficient ventilation.
The husk is afraid of moisture, so you need to choose a dry place, protected from direct sunlight. By carefully collecting onion scales every day, you can provide yourself with full-fledged fertilizer for the entire summer season.
If normal storage conditions are created for storing the flakes, they will not lose their valuable properties for several years.
When preparing the solution, you need to understand that each type of onion differs in its composition of nutrients, which is reflected in the components of the onion husk. Therefore, you should not strive to maintain the exact proportions for the preparation of the infusion.
There is a special component in the husk - quartzin, which provides its bitter taste. The infusion can be diluted as long as this bitterness is felt. If it is gone, then the concentration of the solution is very low and will not benefit the plants.
A freshly prepared solution has the greatest benefit, so you should not store the broth for more than a day. Do not throw away the remaining cake after straining the broth, there are still a lot of useful substances in it. Better to dig it under fruit trees or bushes.