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Coffee grounds for plants? Can I use coffee grounds as fertilizer and improve soil?
Coffee grounds are an ideal fertilizer in the garden and also improve depleted potting soil and compost. The all-rounder can also help against slugs.
Coffee grounds accumulate regularly, but usually end up in the trash. Yet it can be used in the garden primarily as a fertilizer, because it contains lots of valuable ingredients such as potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, tannic acid and antioxidants. These are nutrients that can also be found in commercial fertilizer products.
Coffee grounds for plants?
The basic prerequisite for use is that it is always well cooled and dry, as moist coffee grounds mold easily. To do this, place the coffee grounds in an open, wide container and allow to air dry.
Fertilize with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds have a low pH value and are therefore particularly suitable for fertilizing plants that require an acidic garden soil. Ornamental plants include, for example, hydrangeas, rhododendrons and camellias.
Coffee grounds fertilizer is also suitable for crops such as cucumber, tomato, zucchini or blueberries and strawberries.
The nitrogen contained in coffee grounds ensures strong leaf growth, phosphorus stimulates flower formation and fruit ripening. Potassium is important for cell structure and plant stability.
Only seedlings do not tolerate caffeine well. To fertilize, simply work the coffee grounds into the soil, such as with a rake.
Use in irrigation water?
Coffee grounds are good for plants, because they neutralize lime-containing irrigation water.
If the soil is very alkaline and the water contains lime, a spoonful or two of coffee grounds in the water can work wonders. It neutralizes the pH and fertilizes the soil at the same time.
Coffee grounds, on the other hand, are not good for watering houseplants, as they can cause mold to form over time. However, mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio, cold coffee can be used once a week to water house and balcony plants.
Improves compost and potting soil?
Coffee grounds also find a good use on compost. It accelerates decomposition, enriches the soil with nutrients and provides food for earthworms. To prevent mold from forming, sprinkle the coffee grounds on the surface, put the filter in separately.
Depleted potting soil can also be improved with coffee grounds and then reused. To do this, mix the old soil with compost in equal parts and fold in the coffee grounds in small amounts. However, if there is too much coffee in the soil, mold can easily form.
Coffee grounds can protect against slugs
Snails do not like caffeine. Coffee grounds are therefore suitable as a barrier layer that can simply be scattered around the vegetable patch. However, this does not apply to all species. However, depending on which species of snail threatens the lettuce, it is definitely worth a try.
