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While its biggest backers concede the idea takes time to get your head around — it is remarkably simple. Here’s how it works.

Key Points. Banana peels are rich in potassium and make great compost, mulch, or fertilizer. Prep peels by drying, steeping, or composting ...

Summer is here and many gardeners are likely looking for ways to keep their plants healthy. Warmer weather can be a challenge for gardens as it often leads to droughts and stress on roots. If your garden is struggling to cope in the heat, there is one ingredient that could help and as an added bonus, it can keep pests away too. Speaking on behalf of Coffee Friend, former royal gardener Jack Stook has shared one of his favourite kitchen staples that can be reused to protect your garden in the summer. Coffee grounds can be reused in multiple ways around your garden - and Jack said one of these is to deter pests. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy He said: “Coffee grounds can be sprinkled around the base of bird feeders. The idea is that the smell might deter squirrels. People say that this method can help.” However, use it lightly - if you sprinkle too much, it will just turn into a sludgy mess as soon as it rains. Coffee grounds are also great for compost. Jack added: “They [coffee grounds] are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that’s definitely something worth doing. You can also add them directly to garden beds. If you’re producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.” However it’s not one size fits all when it comes to adding coffee grounds to the garden. Because coffee is acidic, not all of your plants will appreciate it. "You don’t really want to go overboard using coffee grounds on plants that don’t like acidic conditions. Most garden soil can handle small amounts just fine, but if you're applying large quantities, definitely stick to acid-loving plants. Otherwise, you’re better off disposing of the grounds in the compost.”

Backyard chickens are having a moment in the gardening spotlight after a popular post showed how they can help turn organic scraps into rich compost. On Instagram, Welsh gardener and permaculture grower Huw Richards (@huwsgarden) detailed the role chickens can play in composting, writing, Did you know that chickens are expert compost makers? Richards video shows chickens scratching through dirt and weeds in a backyard area of his garden. Rather than a gardener turning the pile by hand, the hens are the ones moving through the organic material and helping mix it as they go. They can remove pests from the soil, pick out weed seeds, and work through organic material. Chickens can be more than egg layers; they can also become active members of a backyard garden system. Composting is one of the easiest ways to turn food scraps, leaves, and other yard waste into something useful, and chickens can help speed up the process by scratching, breaking up material, and mixing it. When done properly, that can mean less waste heading to landfills and healthier soil for future crops. Stronger soil often leads to healthier plants and better harvests. Growing your own food can also help cut grocery bills, especially when produce prices rise. Even better, many home gardeners have said that freshly picked fruits and vegetables taste better than store-bought options. On top of that, gardening can support both mental and physical health by getting people outdoors, encouraging movement, and providing a stress-relieving routine. The response on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with users expressing enthusiasm and appreciation for the concept.

Trapped compactor truck. Photos: Chijioke Iremeka Chijioke Iremeka is a Senior Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with 19 years of professional experience. He has reported across multiple media houses in Nigeria, covering beats such as health, features, real estate, and insurance, and has received numerous journalism awards for his work. Chijioke’s reporting demonstrates extensive newsroom expertise, editorial judgment, and a dedication to truth, integrity, and excellence in journalism. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now! Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.

Scientists have demonstrated a new plasma-based process that converts wet coffee waste into high-performance biochar without any pre-drying treatment. The technology could address one of the biggest challenges in biomass recycling while creating a valuable source of renewable fuel. Developed by researchers at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), the system converts moisture-rich coffee grounds into carbon-rich biochar in less than two minutes. The resulting material delivers an energy content comparable to anthracite coal, offering a potential pathway for turning difficult waste streams into useful resources. Researchers believe the technology could help reduce waste disposal costs while expanding opportunities for decentralized waste-to-energy systems.

The undisputed king of buying Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work right now is Ken Griffin. This week, 10 works from his collection went on view at the Pérez Art Museum Miami and are open to the public for an entire year. The masterpieces from Griffin’s collection include the large painting of a skull that Yusaku Maezawa bought at Sotheby’s in 2017 for $110 million, officially cementing Basquiat in the nine-figure canon with few other artists. It turned out to be a bargain. In 2024, Maezawa sold it to Griffin for a price as high as $200 million. Read True Colors: Inside the global deals and colorful critiques that make the art world go round, with a weekly guide to the must-see openings, auctions, and fairs. But there’s another Basquiat collector, someone a lot less famous than Griffin, someone who has never appeared on the ARTnews Top 200 Collector List, who doesn’t yet sit on museum boards or get honored at galas. According to sources, he’s spent hundreds of millions on Basquiats in the past few years and owns more than a dozen major paintings. His name is Patrick Dovigi and his money is trash. Let me explain: Dovigi is a waste-management kingpin who owns a $13 billion rubbish conglomerate called Green for Life Environmental, founded in the suburbs of Toronto. According to sources, his assets total between $3.5 billion to $4 billion. But he’s not your typical billionaire: He’s a Canadian who was a semi-pro hockey player and, to this day, is referred to in headlines as the “NHL-goalie-turned-entrepreneur.” His line of work makes him an anomaly among art collectors—and has brought out more than a few critics. In 2020, an investment management firm recommending a short play against GFL released a report alleging that Dovigi’s company has been associated with organized crime. To be fair, mafia affiliations have long been a bogeyman of the garbage business—and yet the industry’s mobbed-up reputation can’t exactly explain away that, according to authorities, a gunman targete...

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Published Jun 27, 2026 8:30 AM EDT We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › Whether you’re growing beautiful blooms, tasty veggies, or trees and shrubs, organic fertilizer can give your soil the TLC it needs to help your garden thrive. When it comes to fertilizers, “organic” means the product comes from natural, plant or animal-based sources rather than synthetic chemical compounds. Unlike chemical fertilizers, which are manmade and designed to act quickly on soil and boost plant growth in a short period of time, organic fertilizers work more gradually, feeding your soil in a way that supports long-term plant health and sustainability. Unlike food labels, the term “organic” isn t strictly regulated on fertilizer labels, so not every product that uses it truly meets organic standards. However, reputable, independent organizations offer organic certifications for many fertilizers. You may also come across fertilizers labeled as “natural.” “Natural,” like “organic,” is not a regulated term, but there is also no third-party verification for what makes a product “natural.” If you’re looking for the most natural (materials like compost, manure, or fish meal with minimal processing) fertilizer possible, a certified organic fertilizer is the way to go. After researching several top-performing fertilizers—all third-party certified—our favorite is Brut Worm Castings for its versatility and thousands of positive customer reviews. Below, we’ve rounded up more of the best organic fertilizers for your needs, including ones for flowers, veggies, and multi-purpose picks for all-around good growing. Bottom line: Organic fertilizers offer a sustainable way to nourish plants, with certified options ensuring quality. DIY methods provide eco-friendly alternatives. Our top picks include exclusively organic fertilizers with ingredients sourced from plants and animals rather than synthetic chemica...

Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lavangare said that while the BMC has been implementing measures to improve waste processing across the city, active participation from residential housing societies is essential to promote long-term green initiatives The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed civic officials to encourage housing societies across Mumbai to adopt composting and other environmentally sustainable practices as part of efforts to strengthen waste management at the source. During a review visit to the D Ward office in Grant Road on Saturday, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lavangare said that while the BMC has been implementing measures to improve waste processing across the city, active participation from residential housing societies is essential to promote long-term green initiatives.