TeaChat

What do you do with used tea leaves? Are they good for plants ? Can I throw them in the yard around the roses? Are they deadly to plants? Just wondering if there was anything good to come from them other than the great tea:) Thanks, Sherri

Sherri,
Yes, use them to enhance your roses! I scatter them all around my gardens. I have to admit it looked a bit wierd on new fallen snow this winter!

I just toss them in my compost.

they give my trashcan a delightful aroma

I'm working on a lovely hat.

They love it...

Just a pinch between your cheek and gum... (sorry, the redneck in me was coming out there a bit).

Plants love 'em. I try to keep them only on the outdoor plants, however, because they tend to draw gnats and other small flies in my houseplants.

himthatwas wrote:I'm working on a lovely hat.

This I would love to see.

Here are some non- clothing uses:

Treat your Plants — Tea can be used as a fertilizer for both indoor and outdoor plants. Leftover brewed tea can be cooled and used to "water" houseplants on occasion, and infused tea leaves can be distributed in your flower garden for a nutrient boost.

Tidy Up — Because tea absorbs moisture and odors, you can place dry tea bags in shoes and other unpleasant smelling places to remove odors. Infused tea leaves can be placed in your refrigerator to help keep food odors in check.

Clean Your Mirrors — Leftover brewed tea can be cooled and used to get mirrors squeaky clean. Use a soft cloth to buff away the tea after cleaning.

Enjoy,

Chris
Adagio Maestro

Great ideas, Chris. My husband takes the used tea leaves and places them in our potted plants. The plants are flourishing!

They like tea as much as we do!

Teatime

Check out this site regarding used green tea leaves - apparently that's called "chagra"... Still learning something new everyday!

http://greentealovers.com/greenteauseschagra.htm

More uses for "tea waste":

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng ... -black-tea

http://english.people.com.cn/200605/09/ ... 63998.html

Thanks,
Bill

Tea Guy Speaks
http://wileng.blogspot.com

I tend to keep a large, inexpensive saucepan on the stove during the winter simmering away with some cloves, cinnamon sticks, etc. I take my used tea leaves and add them to the mix. It infuses the whole house with the scent. And, it's a lot less expensive than those simmering potpourri you can buy!

I usually fling them across my backyard after a good pot of tea. I figure they shouldn't end up in a landfill...

Jasmine Green wrote:I usually fling them across my backyard after a good pot of tea. I figure they shouldn't end up in a landfill...

I do the same thing.