If you love coffee, you know that the day definitely doesn’t end with one cup. You can have more of this delicious and invigorating drink in a day. Moreover, if you are a gardener and are into growing plants or vegetables, you can use coffee grounds to improve your gardening success. Why is coffee grounds good for the garden and what effects does it have on plants?
Portion of nutrients into compost
The easiest way is to store coffee grounds in a pre-prepared container and dump the contents into the compost heap over time. This adds a portion of important nutrients and supports the actual decomposition processes that lead to good quality humus.
What nutrients does coffee grounds add to compost?
- Nitrogen – for flowering and better yield at harvest
- Phosphorus – for a quality and healthy root system
- Potassium – to support the quality of plant tissue
- Magnesium – for green leaf health and vigorous growth
- Copper – a trace element important for some plant species
What plants is coffee grounds good for?
You can add the leftover coffee grounds directly to the substrate of plants or vegetables. It is particularly suitable for ornamental plants that require slightly acidic soil, such as hydrangeas or rhododendrons. Thanks to its slightly acidic composition, it also helps with the intensity of flower colouring.
Stimulant for a rich harvest
With a good harvest, coffee will also help in the vegetable garden. Add it to carrots, tomatoes or even pumpkins and you will be surprised with the results. Coffee will work on treated plants in a similar way to the human body. It will give them a big boost and energy for growth and fruiting. At the same time, it balances the content of undesirable substances in the soil and can protect against the occurrence of unwanted diseases. However, do not overdo it. If you pot up coffee grounds, add new coffee grounds during repotting and check carefully for any mould that could threaten the roots.