THINK twice before tossing your leftover Easter chocolates because there are a few ways to repurpose them sustainably.
A food storage expert revealed three uses for the tasty treat that can help your garden and boost growth.
Storage Box Shop expert Sarah Lawson revealed useful practices for your extra Easter chocolate.
While sharing her tips, she explained that the candy has several nutritional benefits for your plants as long as its not used excessively.
CHOCOLATE COMPOST BOOST
"Instead of applying chocolate directly in the garden, add small amounts of leftover chocolate to your compost bin," she advised.
From tongue scraping to saying no, here are 12 health trends to try in 2023
The sugar can help feed the microorganisms in the compost, which can speed up the decomposition process.
However, she added that it should only be done in moderation to maintain a balanced compost mix.
CHOCOLATE MULCH
Lawson also recommended chocolate as a great form of mulch for your garden.
Mulch is any material used to cover the soil's surface and offers an additional protective layer.
While the idea of using chocolate as mulch sounds intriguing, it's important to remember that it can attract pets or wildlife.
If you're in an area that doesn't have many animals, Lawson recommended making a thin layer of chocolate mulch mixed with other natural ingredients.
CHOCOLATE PLANT FEEDS
Lawson also shared a simple recipe for a vitamin-rich fertilizer.
"Dilute a very small amount of chocolate in a large volume of water to create a weak chocolate 'tea,'" she said.
It provides sugars that can boost microbial activity in the soil as a plant feed.
She explained that it could occasionally be used but should be monitored closely to make sure it's not harming the plants.
I'm a nutritionist - here's the 10 best diet trends to help lose weight in 2023
"While chocolate can be used in specific, controlled ways, always prioritize the health and safety of the surrounding ecosystem," she added.
In the end, when trying any, Lawson warned that you "must monitor any new additions to your garden to see how they affect the local ecosystem."
Lawson also shared additional tips to enhance the health of your garden.
She discussed six different uses for orange peels in her garden.
It can deter pests, reduce weed growth, and boost soil health, among other benefits.
She also said not to toss out your teabags as well as five other ways to use kitchen leftovers.
The DIY methods also can kill stubborn weeds.
