Q: Martha Stewart says roses love banana peels. How would I use them on my seven roses? What do they get from the peels?

A: Martha is a knowledgeable gardener but I think she got carried away when she extolled banana peels for roses. The peels provide no more benefits to roses than carrot shreds, apple skins or any other source of easily decomposable organic matter. All of these are beneficial because they contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium but banana peels aren’t markedly superior. Chop the banana peels into small pieces to scatter under your plants so they will decompose faster and add what nutrients they contain to the soil.