In many households, fresh coffee grounds end up in the trash every day, even though they can be really useful in the house and garden. The waste product is used not only in the production ofThe DIY Beauty Product, but can also be used great outdoors. In the article we reveal what you can do with coffee grounds in the garden.
What can you use coffee grounds for in the garden?
Next time you make your morning coffee, think twice about throwing away the used coffee grounds. It proves to be particularly practical, especially for those who have a garden. You can use it to fertilize, create mulch, scare away pests and unwanted animals and accelerate the growth of some plants. We summarize the useful uses of coffee grounds in the garden below.
1. Composting with coffee grounds
The first place you can dispose of coffee grounds instead of throwing them in the trash is the compost bin. The remains of brewed coffee contain a lot of nitrogen, which can speed up the rotting process in the compost heap. The resulting compost soil then has a very fine structure that is good for the plants. The coffee residue also attracts earthworms, which is another benefit for the compost and plants. There is no limit to the amount of coffee you can drinkput on the compost heapmay. It is only important that the pH value does not become too high.
2. Coffee grounds against pests
Some slugs and other pests don't like caffeine, so coffee crumbs are perfect for protecting the beds from them. Simply sprinkle some of the leftover coffee grounds around the vegetable patch to create a barrier layer. The only downside is that the coffee does not work on all types of pests. Still definitely worth a try.
Also against themsmall flies in the potting soilThe coffee grounds should help. You can combat this by spreading the coffee residue directly on the ground. If you light some dry coffee grounds on a fireproof surface and let them smoke for a moment, you can also scare away the annoying wasps around the garden table.
3. Cat repellent in the garden
Cats are cute and sweet, but can cause a lot of mischief in the garden. That's why you need a suitable remedy to drive the velvet paws away from sandboxes and flower beds. At this point, the coffee grounds have also proven to be very effective. Simply sprinkle the leftover coffee around areas where cats are not wanted and the animals will avoid them.
4. Coffee grounds as fertilizer
One of the most widespreadUses of coffee groundsin the garden is for fertilizing. The remains of coffee preparation are rich in valuable ingredients that are important for your plants. The coffee grounds contain a large amount of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and various antioxidants - just like commercial fertilizer. However, as a waste product, the home remedy is significantly cheaper.
If you want to fertilize with coffee grounds, you should let them dry beforehand. If it is moist, it begins to mold and cannot be used as fertilizer. Therefore, first spread out the leftover coffee over a large area on a large plate and let it dry well. Then pour the coffee grounds into an open container and store them there until needed.
You can either add the finished fertilizer to the irrigation water and use it to water the plants or mix it directly with the soil. To do this, simply sprinkle the dried coffee grounds around the respective plant and mix them into the soil.
5. Coffee grounds in the garden for plants that require acidic soil
Coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer are particularly suitable for plants that prefer acidic soil. The reason for this is that coffee is slightly “acidic” and can therefore lower the pH value in peaty soil. Coffee fertilizer is also good for houseplants, but you shouldn't overdo it. So once a year is completely sufficient.
For best results, you should fertilize vegetables and plants in the garden with organic coffee grounds fertilizer up to four times a year. Below we have created a list of plants, shrubs and vegetables that benefit the most.
- ornamental plantsYou can provide you with all the most important nutrients free of charge if you use the coffee grounds as fertilizer. Plants such as angel trumpet, geraniums, hydrangeas and rhododendrons benefit most from the home remedy.
- Berry busheslike a loose, humus-rich soil and are usually fertilized with compost. Coffee grounds are perfect for shrubs such as blueberries, blackberries and currants in the garden.
- vegetable plantsbelong to every kitchen garden and need suitable soil to thrive and produce tasty vegetables. It is particularly important what the earth is enriched with. You should only use fertilizers that are free of pesticides and pollutants. Organic fertilizing with coffee grounds is certainly possible for vegetables such as pumpkin, cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchini.
6. Make mulch
The combination of coffee grounds and wood chips makes oneideal mulch for the garden. This is particularly durable and can make weeding and watering easier for every hobby gardener. The longer shelf life of the mulch is due to the nutrients in the coffee grounds, which are released and thus regulate the moisture of the wood chips.
7. Promote the growth of carrots and radishes
There are some vegetables that particularly like coffee grounds in the ground. In addition to tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkin and zucchini, the soil for carrots and radishes can also be enriched with the miracle home remedy. This promotes the growth of these vegetables and can even result in harvests up to two times larger. To do this, you should not work the coffee grounds into the soil, but mix them with the seeds when planting. Try it yourself!
Extra tip: If you want to use coffee grounds in the garden but don't drink coffee at home, you can ask for your leftover coffee at a cafe or restaurant. Many cafes would be happy to provide these to you for free.
