Plumbers warn against putting tea leaves down sinks, toilets and garbage disposals because they can cause clogs and the tannins can damage the garbage disposal motor. Put your spent tea leaves to work for your plants as mulch, for acid-loving plants, or as a source of nitrogen and minerals for your compost pile.
Collect Tea Leaves
Choose a shallow, open container for collecting your spent tea leaves so that they can dry quickly. Wet tea leaves can develop mold, so don't let them pile up. Also, avoid using the leaves from flavored teas in plant care, which have usually been flavored with oils that may be harmful to plants.
Tea Leaves as Mulch
Scatter tea leaves (which are acidic) around your "acid-loving" outdoor plants and shrubs, such as dogwood, gardenia and hibiscus.
Tea Leaves in Compost
Add tea leaves (and tea bags) to your compost pile as a source of nitrogen. Be sure to keep your carbon/nitrogen balance in check, however.
Collect Tea Leaves
Choose a shallow, open container for collecting your spent tea leaves so that they can dry quickly. Wet tea leaves can develop mold, so don't let them pile up. Also, avoid using the leaves from flavored teas in plant care, which have usually been flavored with oils that may be harmful to plants.
Tea Leaves as Mulch
Scatter tea leaves (which are acidic) around your "acid-loving" outdoor plants and shrubs, such as dogwood, gardenia and hibiscus.
Tea Leaves in Compost
Add tea leaves (and tea bags) to your compost pile as a source of nitrogen. Be sure to keep your carbon/nitrogen balance in check, however.
Tea Bags
Remove tags and staples from your tea bags before adding them to your compost pile (You do not have to remove the leaves from the tea bags before composting.). It is also OK to add paper-bagged teas to worm compost piles.
If you use modern "silky" teabags (instead of paper), be sure that they are made of a biodegradable material, such as cornstarch, before composting them. Some of these bags are made from nylon, and these will not decompose.
Potential Problems
Keep a sharp eye on your plants when you first begin using tea leaves as mulch or compost. Tea leaves naturally contain fluoride, which, if used to excess, can damage some plants.
Remove tags and staples from your tea bags before adding them to your compost pile (You do not have to remove the leaves from the tea bags before composting.). It is also OK to add paper-bagged teas to worm compost piles.
If you use modern "silky" teabags (instead of paper), be sure that they are made of a biodegradable material, such as cornstarch, before composting them. Some of these bags are made from nylon, and these will not decompose.
Potential Problems
Keep a sharp eye on your plants when you first begin using tea leaves as mulch or compost. Tea leaves naturally contain fluoride, which, if used to excess, can damage some plants.
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