10 AMAZING TIPS FOR RECYCLING YOUR STRAWBERRY STEMS

Spring is back and strawberries are once again invading market gardeners’ stalls. You love this delicious fruit! Do you eat them often and always throw the tails in the trash? It is a mistake! They can be used in multiple ways… Are you intrigued? Here are 10 amazing tips for recycling your strawberry stems!

1. MAKE A SMOOTHIE

Do you like to prepare smoothies with seasonal fruits? You are right! It’s a delicious way to start the day. It is also a pure treat as a snack. In addition, smoothies are good for your health, because they contain many vitamins and antioxidants.

Do you want to prepare a smoothie with strawberry stems? Here’s how to do it:

1. Pour 20 cl of milk or a vegetable drink of your choice into a blender.
2. Add 5 or 6 ice cubes.
3. Place a handful of blueberries and 1/2 banana in the container.
4. Add the strawberry stems.
5. Mix everything
6. Serve and enjoy.

2. PREPARE COMPOST

Are you used to making your compost? Don’t throw strawberry stems in the trash anymore! You can put them on your natural fertilizer pile to improve it. Indeed, strawberry stems are rich in minerals essential to the well-being of your plants.

To make quality compost, alternate layers of dry material and layers of wet material and monitor the humidity of the mixture: it must be neither too dry nor soggy.

3. PREPARE DELICIOUS JELLY

Here’s another idea for recycling strawberry stems: you’re going to prepare jelly for breakfast or a snack. To do this, follow our recipe.

1. Boil 1 liter of water.
2. Add 350 g of strawberry stems.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer everything for 30 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and filter the mixture.
5. Pour 350 g of sugar into the preparation.
6. Heat everything and check the temperature with a suitable thermometer. The mixture must rise to 105°C.
7. Add a tablespoon of agar-agar.
8. Boil everything for 30 seconds, then turn off the heat.
9. Pour the jelly into clean, sterilized jars.

4. PREPARE AN EXPRESS FERTILIZER

Did you know? You can prepare a fertilizer quickly by infusing strawberry stems. To do this, place the tails in a watering can filled with lukewarm water and let everything macerate for 3 to 5 days. You will obtain a decoction rich in nutrients and minerals. Simply water your plants with this preparation and that’s it!

5. DRINK A GOOD INFUSION

Do you want to concoct a drink that is both refreshing and pleasant? Infuse the cherry stems in a pitcher filled with hot water, then filter the preparation. You will add a few ice cubes to this mixture to make a delicious iced tea. Add a little sugar, a few leaves of basil or fresh mint, or a simple squeeze of lemon juice. All you have to do is place your pitcher in the fridge to enjoy it throughout the day.

6. MAKE AN ORIGINAL SYRUP

Do your children love syrup, but you are reluctant to buy this product because it contains too much sugar and preservatives? No problem! You can spoil the children without fear. To do this, prepare a delicious syrup with fruit stems. Are you intrigued? Combine 50 g of strawberry stems, 50 g of cane sugar, and 100 ml of water. Then, place everything in a large saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring regularly.

After a few minutes, bring the syrup to a boil, then cook it, stirring, for about 15 minutes. Finally, filter the preparation. All you have to do is let the syrup cool before pouring it into a jar. You will keep this in the refrigerator.

7. CONCOCT A FRUIT VINEGAR

Are you tired of balsamic vinegar? Prepare a delicious fruit vinegar with strawberry stems. To do this, place them in a clean jar then cover them with cider vinegar. Let everything steep for 12 hours before filtering the mixture. It’s over! You can use your vinegar to season your salads all summer long.

8. MAKE ICE CUBES

Do you have some damaged strawberries on hand? Did you get some strawberry stems? Make delicious ice cubes for your aperitifs and snacks. To do this, wash the strawberry stems then boil them in a liter of water. Turn off the heat and let the preparation infuse before filtering everything.

It’s time to move on to the next step: you’re going to pour this scented water into an ice cube tray. Add small pieces of finely cut strawberries, small pieces of basil, or fresh mint, depending on your preferences. Place everything in the freezer. It’s over!

9. COOK A PESTO

Are you tired of traditional pesto? Rejoice! You can prepare an original pesto with strawberry stems. Do you want to try this culinary experience? In this case, mix the stems of the red fruits with pine nuts, parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and a few whole hazelnuts. Your pesto is ready! All you have to do is cook some pasta before eating.

10. DRIVE PESTS OUT OF YOUR HOME

Strawberry stems are very effective in repelling pests! They contain certain compounds known for their repellent properties against garden pests. Do you want to use strawberry stems to protect the vegetables in your vegetable garden? Reduce these to a pulp before spreading everything at the base of the tomatoes and other plants. Thanks to this tip, you will hunt slugs and snails without using chemicals.