Coffee grounds are a real treasure for fertilizing both ornamental and fruit plants. If fruit peels are ideal for making compost, coffee is certainly no different. In fact, in addition to being able to be added to compost, coffee grounds can be used in a multitude of different ways.
Coffee grounds are an ecological and organic natural fertilizer , which offers many benefits for plants and can be used as an alternative to many gardening products. Below we list different ways to use coffee grounds in the garden .
Before we start listing all the uses, we must take into account an important practical tip for storing coffee grounds. It is suggested that before storing them in a glass or plastic container, let them dry completely, as humidity could cause them to rot.
Coffee grounds as fertilizer
Mix the coffee grounds with the soil frequently to fertilize it . You don’t have to do this every day, but once or twice a week. This can also be done by pouring the coffee grounds directly into vases or into the garden.
The result is the same as an organic fertilizer , it does not acidify the soil and enriches it with nutrients. You can also pour coffee grounds into the water and let it sit overnight. You will get a liquid fertilizer that can be applied to the soil or the plant.
Coffee grounds also contain nitrogen, which promotes plant growth and flowering.
Keep ants and snails away
A thin layer of coffee grounds can improve garden soil , but coffee’s natural composition also helps keep away unwanted guests like ants and snails .
Snails can’t crawl over coffee grounds, so applying a “barrier” of coffee grounds keeps these little creatures away from the plants. Coffee grounds also help keep ants away.
Feeding Compost Worms
By adding worms, you can get a more efficient compost and, among other nutrients, they can also be fed with coffee grounds. Worms are essential to gardens and they love coffee.
Obviously, it must be added in small doses to avoid an undesirable effect, that is, the death of the worms due to the acidity of the coffee. One cup once a week is enough.