7 Benefits of Coffee Grounds in the Garden
Coffee grounds, the leftovers of your morning brew, can be more than just waste. These humble leftovers are packed with nutrients and have various uses that can benefit your garden in multiple ways. Let’s explore why coffee grounds are good for plants, how to use them, and which plants might not appreciate them.
The Role of Coffee Grounds in Compost
In compost, coffee grounds speed up the decomposition process and add important minerals. However, excessive use can hinder plant growth by potentially inhibiting nutrient availability.
Plants That Don’t Like Coffee Grounds
Some plants don’t fare well with coffee grounds. Those preferring alkaline soil, such as lilacs, peonies, and lavender, might suffer from soil acidification. Additionally, plants sensitive to excessive moisture, like cacti, may be affected if coffee grounds are used in excess.
7 Benefits of Using Coffee Grounds for Your Plants
- Natural Fertilizer: Rich in essential nutrients.
- Weed Suppressant: Limits the growth of unwanted plants.
- Insect Repellent: Keeps certain pests away from the garden.
- Soil Enhancer: Enriches and improves soil structure.
- Compost Accelerator: Aids decomposition in compost.
- Mulch: Helps retain soil moisture.
- pH Adjustment: Can help lower soil pH for acid-loving plants.
How to Use Coffee Grounds for Your Plants
- As a Fertilizer: Sprinkle a thin layer of coffee grounds around the base of your plants or mix them lightly into the top layer of soil. For potted plants, mix about a tablespoon of coffee grounds into the potting soil every month.
- In Compost: Add coffee grounds to your compost bin in moderation, making sure they don’t exceed 20% of the total compost volume. This helps balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and accelerates decomposition.
- As a Mulch: Spread a thin layer of coffee grounds on top of the soil to help retain moisture and provide a slow-release source of nutrients.
- As a Pest Repellent: Scatter coffee grounds around plants to deter pests like slugs and snails. A light sprinkling is usually sufficient.
- Mixing with Other Materials: Combine coffee grounds with other organic materials, like compost or manure, to balance their properties and reduce potential negative effects. A good mix is one part coffee grounds to three parts other organic matter.
Precautions to Take
While coffee grounds offer many benefits, moderation is key. Excessive use can lead to soil acidification, which may harm plants preferring alkaline conditions. Overuse can also retain too much moisture, affecting plants like cacti that thrive in drier soil. Additionally, the caffeine in coffee grounds can be harmful to some plants, such as fuchsias and geraniums. Always mix coffee grounds with other organic matter to balance their effects and use them sparingly to avoid negative impacts on your garden.
By Eng. Mounir Abi Fadel