A professional gardener has urged people not to throw away used teabags but to repurpose them in the garden, particularly for roses during the summer months. Mark, founder of The Garden Path, explained that teabags contain key nutrients that help roses produce larger, more vibrant blooms.
Why Teabags Benefit Roses
Teabags are rich in nitrogen, which promotes foliage growth and helps roses develop sturdy stems capable of supporting heavy blooms. They also contain potassium, a crucial nutrient for flowering that aids bud development and enhances bloom size and colour. However, Mark cautioned that teabags cannot fully replace fertiliser, as they lack some essential minerals.
How to Apply Teabags to Roses
Collect used teabags over a week or more until you have enough to fill a bowl. Tear open the bags and empty the tea leaves into the bowl. Do not place whole teabags in the garden, as some contain plastic fibres that do not decompose and may cause mould. Scatter the loose tea leaves around the base of rose plants and gently work them into the soil with a trowel. Rain will carry the nutrients deep into the ground.
Frequency and Precautions
Apply tea leaves once a month during spring and summer, but no more often, as over-fertilising with natural feeds can be potent. The method takes less than 10 minutes. Mark shared: "I do not know what it is about the tealeaves, but they [roses] love whatever is in them. I have had great blooms. My grandfather's roses were some of the best I've ever seen."
