Every European consumes around 7.2 kilograms of coffee beans every year, which usually end up unnoticed in the garbage can or on the compost after brewing. Coffee is an environmentally friendly, high-quality and inexpensive fertilizer and with every cup of coffee you are doing something good for your plants. So spoil your green friends with the valuable coffee grounds!
Coffee grounds: Inexpensive fertilizer with many nutrients
Many plants need soil with sufficient nutrients to grow in order to thrive properly and develop a strong green colour. And coffee is simply ideal for this: The coffee grounds are rich in phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen and thus show many of the characteristics of a conventional fertilizer. The slightly acidic coffee can lower the pH value of peat soil and neutralize calcareous irrigation water. The potassium also ensures healthy growth of the plants. Simply mix the coffee grounds into the potting soil or sprinkle them on the compost.
Pests and bugs in the garden? coffee here!
Already knew? With some coffee grounds under the potting soil, you can easily keep pests such as voracious snails and ants out of your garden. In contrast to the hard-working earthworms, these pests cannot stand the smell of coffee. The earthworms, on the other hand, do well with coffee, supply your garden with healthy biomass free of charge and loosen the soil so that it remains well aerated.
Instructions for using coffee grounds fertilizer
In principle, all plants need fertilizer to grow well. Only seedlings should be excluded from the coffee treatment, since the tender little plants are sensitive to caffeine. Coffee works particularly well for plants in the home garden, is acidifying and is therefore particularly suitable for hydrangeas, rhododendrons, tomatoes, pumpkins, zucchini and berries. And even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can’t go wrong with coffee as a fertilizer. It is important to let the coffee grounds cool and dry before using them as fertilizer to avoid mold growth. It is therefore best to first collect the leftovers in a dry and airy place and not to run into the garden with every coffee filter.
Try it!
