Have you noticed that some people's cucumbers grow like crazy, while others' wither, despite watering and fertilizing?
It's all about one simple ingredient that you throw in the trash every day.
It's not about eggshells or onion peels - the secret is in used tea leaves. Yes, those same tea leaves that remain after your morning tea party can turn your garden bed into an oasis for cucumbers.
They not only improve the structure of the soil, but also saturate it with nitrogen, potassium and tannins, which strengthen the roots and protect against pests.
Collect the tea leaves from 10-15 cups of tea (either black or green), spread them out in a thin layer on paper and dry.
A week before planting cucumbers, mix the tea leaves with soil at a rate of 1 glass per square meter.
Tea leaves loosen heavy soil, retain moisture, and create an ideal environment for earthworms. When planting seedlings, add a pinch of tea to each hole - this will speed up the adaptation of the plants.
But the main thing is that tea leaves work as a natural acidity regulator. Cucumbers prefer neutral soil, and tea slightly acidifies it, which is especially useful in regions with alkaline soil.
During the season, sprinkle dried tea leaves around the bushes in a layer of 1–2 cm. This will prevent weed growth and protect the roots from overheating.
To enhance the effect, water the cucumbers with “tea” once every two weeks: pour 2 cups of tea leaves with 5 liters of boiling water, cool and pour under the roots.
Those who have tried the method note: cucumber vines grow twice as fast, and the ovaries do not fall off even in the heat. An additional bonus is that the tannins in the tea repel spider mites and aphids.
But do not use tea with flavorings or fruit additives - they can harm the plants.
And remember: tea is not a substitute for fertilizer, so combine it with ash or humus. Now your cucumbers will crunch so much that your neighbors will ask for the secret!
Author: Kurchev Anton