Gardenchee

If you’re used to brewing coffee every morning, you might be throwing away all those used coffee grounds in the bin. But, they can be of great use if you love gardening. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen. However, some dissenters say coffee grounds for gardening may not beneficial. Let us walk you through the most commonly asked questions regarding using coffee grounds in your garden.

Coffee Grounds As Fertilizer

Coffee grounds have a great amount of nitrogen which encourages green growth and strong stems. They also have some amount of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium which are all good for plant health. These nutrients will be released slowly into the plant and won’t be immediately available. As a gradual fertilizer, it can be greatly beneficial to the plants. Coffee grounds also attract worms which is good for the ecosystem of the garden.

However, don’t use too many coffee grounds or pile them up. The coffee grounds can clump together to form a water-resistant barrier to your soil. So, it’s better to dilute the coffee grounds. Also, only use used coffee grounds to fertilize the soil.

Can coffee grounds be used as fertilizer?

You can easily make coffee ground tea to fertilize your soil. Simply add 2 cups of used coffee grounds into a bucket of water. Let it sit for 12 hours. You can use this tea for both your garden and potted plants.

Coffee Grounds On Roses

Coffee grounds on roses are beneficial only when used in a balanced amount. If you use too much coffee grounds on your roses, it will burn the roots because of the high nitrogen content in them.

Are Coffee Grounds Good For Aloe Vera Plant?

It’s likely that coffee grounds may block the drainage holes of the pot. Aloe vera likes mild alkaline pH in the soil contrary to what coffee grounds do to the soil which is making it more acidic. Using coffee grounds on aloe vera plants may not be as good an idea as you think.

Coffee grounds for mulch

Mulching is good for water retention, preventing weeds, and protecting the roots in winter. Coffee grounds are a helpful ingredient in mulch. But it shouldn’t be used directly on the pants. This is because they contain caffeine which is known to inhibit the growth of seedlings. Besides, the particles can form a blanket that prevents air, water, and other nutrients from entering the soil.

How to Use Coffee Grounds as Mulch?

The key to using coffee grounds as a good mulch is to mix it with other organic matter. You can use leaf mould or compost in addition to used coffee grounds. Or else, you can rake used coffee grounds into the top layer of the soil. This will prevent them from clumping together.

Coffee Grounds Composting Use

Composting is the safest way to use coffee grounds in gardening. There are two types of compost matter- green and brown. Coffee grounds belong to the green type material as they are rich in nitrogen. Other important nutrients they contain are potassium, calcium, and magnesium. 

How to Compost Using Coffee Grounds?

To compost coffee grounds, it needs to balance with other brown compost matter like dried leaves and newspaper. The ratio should be 1:4 i.e. 1 part green material and 4 parts brown material. Remember to keep the coffee ground component of the compost only 10 to 20% in volume. Give the compost a thorough mix or else the coffee grounds will dry out. 

Is Using coffee grounds on plants Coffee Grounds In Garden Good Or Bad?

Coffee grounds are an organic solution to many gardening problems. If used in small doses with caution, they can work effectively to make the plants healthy. They also make for a good pesticide as they deter snugs, snails, and ants. However, in large doses, coffee grounds can be harmful to dogs. So, keep dogs away if you use them in your garden.