Many summer residents throw away onion skinswithout even suspecting what treasure goes into the trash can. This natural material is rich in beneficial substances that improve soil and plant health. This fertilizer is especially valuable for cucumbers.
Agronomist Ksenia Davydova told me a simple recipe for a decoction to forget about yellowing leaves and weak growth.
Onion peels as fertilizer is a natural remedy rich in phytoncides, antioxidants and mineral salts. It stimulates the growth of green mass, strengthens plant immunity, fights yellowing of leaves and is absolutely safe for humans, beneficial insects and the environment.
When and how to use
Assess the condition of your cucumbers and choose how to use them:
- For active growth of young cucumbers – spraying with decoction every 3 weeks. Husk accelerates the growth of green mass.
- When leaves turn yellow — extraordinary spraying. The decoction returns rich green color and vitality.
- For disease prevention — regular feeding once every 3 weeks reduces the risk of fungal infections.
- Spent husks are not lost – use it as mulch. It retains moisture in the soil, suppresses the growth of weeds and gradually enriches the soil with nutrients.
How to prepare and use
Follow a simple recipe tested by an agronomist.
Take a 10 liter enamel pan. Fill it with water. Add a handful of dry onion peels, about 20–30 g. Bring to a boil and simmer for exactly 5 minutes. No longer – the beneficial substances pass into the water, and excess boiling destroys them.
Remove from heat and let sit covered for 2-3 hours. The broth should cool and acquire a rich amber color. Strain through a sieve or cheesecloth to prevent small particles from clogging the spray bottle. Dilute the concentrate with water in the proportion of 2 liters of decoction per 10 liters of water.
Pour into a sprayer and spray the cucumber leaves on both sides in the morning or evening, when there is no active sun. Repeat the procedure once every three weeks throughout the growing season.
Conclusion
Onion peel is a free and effective fertilizer for cucumbers. A decoction of it stimulates growth, fights yellowing and strengthens the immune system without chemicals. Don’t throw away the spent husks – use them as mulch. Environmentally friendly, cheap and effective.
Personal experience
For a long time I didn’t believe in onion skinsuntil the cucumber leaves began to turn yellow. I didn’t want to use chemicals – there was a beehive nearby. I decided to try a decoction of the husk. After two weeks, the leaves turned green and there were more ovaries. Now I don’t throw away the husks, I collect them in a bag during the winter. And the mulch from the leftovers also keeps the beds moist. I recommend it to all summer residents.
