Roses are very hungry plants, which means feeding them a couple of times per year can help them bloom well.

According to experts, common kitchen scraps can be used to help fertilise garden roses.

Coffee

Coffee tends to be slightly acidic, which makes it great for use on acid-loving plants such as roses and hydrangeas.

Coffee grounds contain nutrients that plants use for growth, and this includes nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

According to Gardeners’ World, the safest ways to use this kitchen scrap include adding them to compost containers or worm bins.

However, they can also be added directly onto the soil around plants, but make sure not to do this too often as it can cause more harm than good.

Eggshells

Eggshells contain a significant amount of calcium, and roses need lots of this to grow, helping them to “bloom strongly”.

To use eggshells as a fertiliser, break them into small pieces or grind them into a powder.

Then, add these directly into the soil, especially if a soil test shows it’s lacking calcium. What’s more, they can also help to keep common pests away from ruining precious plants. 

The experts at Jackson & Perkins said: “Crushed up and placed in a ring around plants, eggshells are said to provide a barrier against slugs and other soft-bodied critters.

“For a larger garden, this could take a lot of eggshells and time. A more practical use is to grind the shells as fine as possible and add them to your compost.

“This adds plenty of calcium to keep your roses and other plants healthy.”

Banana peel

According to John Dempsey, a gardening expert at Housetstic, applying two to three banana peels to the soil will provide a “huge advantage” for newly planted roses.

The expert said: “You should put a chopped banana in the bottom of the hole before inserting the plant and mixing the rest with compost and soil around the new plant.”

Gardeners can also use the food scrap while the plant is in active growth to provide potassium to the soil, enriching it and encouraging blooms to flourish.

If you have already planted your flowers in containers, simply spread banana peel into the surrounding soil, burying it slightly if possible.