Apple Cores Could Be the Garden Boost You’ve Been Overlooking

It's easy to disregard and discard something as commonplace as the remains of an apple, but wait! Before you nonchalantly toss it in the trash, consider another use for your apple cores: in the garden. Apple cores just might be your new secret weapon in your quest to boost plant growth and raise healthy plants that thrive. We spoke to gardening experts to share the best ways to incorporate apple cores into your garden.

Add Them to Your Compost

Don't underestimate the importance of compost for your garden, and those apple cores can make a wonderful addition to your compost pile. "Apple cores (and peels too!) are regulars in my compost pile," says Meg Austin, gardening instructor and farmer.

Apple cores can add helpful nutrients to your compost pile. "Apple cores are considered a 'green' when composting because they add moisture and pair well with drier 'brown' materials," says Angela Judd, master gardener. "They break down quickly, especially when chopped, and contribute natural sugars that help feed beneficial microbes," says Judd. "To avoid attracting pests, bury them in the pile or cover with a layer of browns."

Bury the Apple Pieces

If you don't want to take the time to wait for the composting process (which admittedly takes time), you can take a shortcut and simply bury pieces of apple core directly into your garden soil. "Burying apple cores in the garden is a form of trench composting, and it can work," says Judd. "Just bury them at least 8 to 12 inches deep and away from plant roots to avoid pests and nitrogen issues." She says it’s best to do this in the fall or winter, or in empty spots in the garden.

"I bury apple cores directly into raised beds that are resting for the season," says Austin. "They break down beautifully and add organic matter to the soil, which improves structure and feeds all the good microbes doing the behind-the-scenes work," she says. "During fall and winter, they're gold."

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Brew Fertilizer Tea

You'll find many DIY recipes online for making fertilizer tea for your garden using apple peels, and apple cores can certainly be another valuable ingredient to add to the mix. The fertilizer tea might not magically transform your garden, however. "Apples are low in nitrogen and other macronutrients, so any benefit [from the fertilizer tea] would be minimal," says Judd. "You would get better results by composting the cores or using a true compost or worm tea." 

Try Vermicomposting

If you have an interest in vermicomposting using earthworms, save your apple cores. "My favorite way to use apple cores in the garden is in my in-bed vermicomposting bins," says Judd. "Worms love them and quickly turn them into castings full of microbes and nutrients. You can harvest the castings and use them in other areas or leave them in place to enrich the soil within the garden bed," she says.  

Make Apple Cider Vinegar

You can make your apple cider vinegar using apple cores and peels, and the possible uses in the garden are endless. You can use it to discourage pests (both insects and animals), fight fungal diseases, clean garden tools, and even kill weeds, but the key is to apply the apple cider vinegar correctly. This involves diluting the vinegar before using it in the garden and also being careful where you apply it.