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Do coffee grounds help plants grow


16 Creative Uses for Used Coffee Grounds

By Kayla McDonell, RD on April 12, 2018

Coffee is a popular beverage consumed all over the world.

People usually discard the grounds left behind after it’s brewed, but after reading this article, you may reconsider throwing them out.

Coffee grounds have many practical uses around the home and garden and can even help spruce up your beauty routine.

If you don’t make a lot of coffee at home, most coffee shops have an abundance of coffee grounds that they are willing to give away.

Below are 16 creative uses for used coffee grounds.

1. Fertilize Your Garden

Most soil does not contain the essential nutrients needed for optimal plant growth.

Also, as plants grow, they absorb nutrients from the soil, ultimately leaving it depleted.

Thus, most gardens need to be fertilized to ensure that plants have the nourishment they need to survive.

Coffee grounds contain several key minerals for plant growth — nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and chromium (1).

They may also help absorb heavy metals that can contaminate soil (2, 3).

What’s more, coffee grounds help attract worms, which are great for your garden.

To use coffee grounds as fertilizer, simply sprinkle them onto the soil surrounding your plants.

Summary Coffee grounds make great fertilizer because they contain several key nutrients required for plant growth. They can also help attract worms and decrease the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil.

2. Compost It for Later

If you do not have an immediate need for fertilizer, you can compost your coffee grounds for later use.

Composting is a natural process that turns organic items such as food scraps and yard debris into a dark, rich material called compost or humus.

Adding compost to your yard or garden can help the soil hold onto more nutrients and water, thereby improving the health of your plants.

One study found that compost made with coffee grounds and kitchen waste was richer in nutrients than compost made with waste alone (4).

Another study compared four batches of compost containing 0, 10, 20 and 40% coffee grounds.

The batch containing 40% coffee grounds produced the fewest greenhouse gas emissions and best quality compost (5).

Other items to compost include grass clippings, leaves, bark, shredded newspaper, brush, herbs, egg shells, stale bread and fruit and vegetable trimmings.

You should avoid composting meat and fish scraps, dairy products, diseased plants, grease and oils.

Summary Adding compost to your garden can significantly improve the health of your plants. Coffee grounds can help increase nutrient levels and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions of your compost.

3. Repel Insects and Pests

Certain compounds found in coffee, such caffeine and diterpenes, can be highly toxic to insects (6, 7).

Because of this, you can use coffee grounds to repel bugs.

They are effective at deterring mosquitos, fruit flies and beetles, and they may help keep other pests away too (8, 9).

To use coffee grounds as an insect and pest repellent, simply set out bowls of grounds or sprinkle them around outdoor seating areas.

You can also keep pests out of your garden by scattering coffee grounds around your plants. They help create a barrier that slugs and snails do not like to crawl over.

Summary Coffee grounds contain compounds that are toxic to many insects. You can use your coffee grounds to repel mosquitos, fruit flies, beetles and other pests.

4. Remove Fleas from Your Pet

Fleas are a common problem in household pets, and treating them can be costly and time-consuming (10).

There are several flea-removal products on the market, but many contain harsh chemicals and can produce unwanted side effects.

Luckily, fleas don’t seem to like coffee, and you may want to consider coffee grounds as a natural treatment.

Simply rub the grounds throughout your pet’s fur after shampooing. Then rinse them off and allow your pet to dry as usual.

Some say doing this may also add smoothness and shine to your pet’s coat, but there is little to no research to support either of these claims.

However, coffee grounds may be less effective than a prescription product, so if your pet has fleas and this treatment does not work, you may want to contact a vet to discuss alternative options.

Also, coffee grounds should only be used externally. They can be toxic to dogs if consumed.

Summary Like other insects, fleas do not like coffee. Bathing your pet in used coffee grounds may help keep fleas at bay.

5. Neutralize Odors

Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which helps eliminate a foul-smelling sulfur gas from the air when it’s combined with carbon (11).

In other words, coffee grounds can help absorb and eliminate odors.

You can place a bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge or freezer to neutralize odors from spoiled or fragrant foods.

You can also fill old socks or pantyhose with coffee grounds and tie them off to make portable air fresheners.

Place these in your shoes, gym bag, bedroom drawers, under your car seat or anywhere else that may need some deodorizing.

You can even keep coffee grounds by the sink and use them to scrub your hands after chopping garlic or onions. The grounds will help remove the smell from your hands.

Summary Coffee grounds can help absorb and eliminate odors from your refrigerator, gym bag or smelly shoes. Using them as a hand scrub can also help remove lingering smells from onion or garlic.

6. Use It as a Natural Cleaning Scrub

Coffee grounds are abrasive and can help remove buildup on hard-to-clean surfaces. They may even help sanitize due to their antibacterial and antiviral properties (8).

If you like to avoid cleaning with chemicals, used coffee grounds might be worth a try.

Use them to scour your sink, polish your cookware or clean your grill.

Just be careful not to use them on any kind of porous material, as they can cause brown stains.

Summary Coffee grounds can be used as an abrasive cleaner. They can help sanitize and remove buildup from sinks, cookware, grills and other surfaces around the house.

7. Scour Your Pots and Pans

The coarse texture of coffee grounds makes them ideal for scrubbing hard-to-clean kitchen utensils.

You can use them to scrape your dishes clean and remove caked-on food from pots and pans. Simply sprinkle the grounds directly onto your pots and pans and scrub as usual. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward.

Summary You can use coffee grounds to scour your pots and pans. Their abrasive texture helps scrape away caked-on food.

8. Exfoliate Your Skin

The coarse particles in coffee grounds work as an exfoliating agent to help remove dirt and dead cells from the skin.

Simply mix coffee grounds with a little bit of water or coconut oil and scrub them with your hands directly onto your face and body.

Coffee grounds can also be mixed with a small amount of honey and used as an exfoliating lip scrub.

What’s more, the caffeine in coffee grounds has potent antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from sun damage.

It can also increase blood flow, which aids in overall skin health (12).

Summary Coffee grounds can be repurposed into an exfoliating scrub for your face and body. They help remove dirt and dead skin cells and promote overall skin health.

9. Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite

Cellulite is a condition that gives the skin a dimpled, lumpy appearance. It affects 80–90% of adult women (13).

It occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue under your skin and is commonly seen in the buttocks and thighs.

When caffeine such as that in coffee grounds is applied topically, it may help break down this fat and increase blood flow to the area, thus decreasing the appearance of cellulite (12).

Simply mix grounds with water or coconut oil and scrub for 10 minutes twice weekly on any areas affected by cellulite.

Summary Coffee grounds may help reduce the appearance of cellulite by breaking down fat deposits and increasing blood flow to the affected area.

10. Use It as a Natural Dye

If you’ve ever spilled coffee on a white shirt, you know that it can leave a stain.

By rewetting used coffee grounds, you can create an inexpensive and all-natural dye that can be used to color cotton, rayon, cellophane, linen and paper (14).

This is an easy way to give fabrics and paper a vintage look or disguise existing stains on your clothing and towels.

Coffee grounds can even be used to dye Easter eggs or deepen the color of dark hair.

Commercial food and hair dyes can contain hundreds of chemicals, many of which may cause cancer (15, 16, 17).

Used coffee grounds make a great non-toxic alternative to traditional dyes.

If you’ve dyed a piece of fabric or yarn that will be worn or used for sewing or knitting, make sure to wash it in cold water with a very mild laundry detergent before using it.

Summary Used coffee grounds are a great natural alternative to harsh chemical dyes. Simply rewet them and use them to dye paper or fabric or darken brunette hair.

11. Clean Your Fireplace

Cleaning ashes from a wood-burning fireplace can be an incredibly messy task.

By scattering used coffee grounds over the ashes, you can weigh them down and prevent smoke clouds from forming.

This not only makes the ashes easier to remove, but it also keeps dust from escaping and traveling to other parts of the room.

Summary Use coffee grounds to weigh down the ashes in your fireplace before cleaning. This makes for easier ash removal and less mess.

12. Tenderize Meat

Meat contains muscle fibers and proteins that can give it a tough consistency.

Tenderizing meat helps break them down, resulting in a softer texture.

Salt, enzymes and acids are three natural types of meat tenderizers. Coffee contains natural acids and enzymes, making it especially effective at tenderizing meat.

The acidic nature of coffee can also help enhance the flavor of meat.

Simply add used coffee grounds to your favorite dry-rub recipe and apply the rub to the meat two hours before cooking.

The grounds will get cooked onto the meat and form a dark, crispy crust.

Alternatively, you can rebrew used grounds to make coffee, allow it to cool and use it to marinade meat in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Summary Coffee grounds contain natural acids and enzymes that help tenderize meat and enhance its flavor.

13. Stimulate Hair Growth and Strip Buildup

Shampoos and styling products often leave residue behind that can dull and weigh down your hair.

Exfoliating your scalp with coffee grounds can help remove buildup and dead skin cells.

What’s more, several test-tube studies have found that caffeine, such as that in used coffee grounds, stimulates human hair growth (18, 19, 20).

Similarly, human and animal studies have found that applying caffeine to the skin increases blood flow and accelerates hair growth (12).

Before you shampoo, simply grab a handful of coffee grounds and massage them into your scalp and hair for a few minutes. Then wash and rinse as you normally would.

Do this one to two times per week, or as needed.

Summary Exfoliating your scalp with used coffee grounds can help remove dead skin cells and product buildup and may even speed up hair growth.

14. Repair Scratched Furniture

If you own wooden furniture, you’ve probably noticed it can be easily scuffed and scratched.

Various products can help minimize the appearance of scratches, but before you run to the store, you might want to give coffee grounds a try.

First, make a thick paste with used coffee grounds and water.

Then rub the paste into the scratch using a cotton swab, allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes and then wipe with a cotton rag.

This should help buff out the scratch and conceal it by dying the exposed wood a dark-brown color.

Continue to dab coffee into the scratch using a cotton swab until the desired color is achieved, waiting a few hours between applications.

Summary You can use coffee grounds to buff out scratches on wooden furniture and darken them to match your existing finish.

15. Grow Mushrooms

Mushrooms only thrive in specific conditions and are notoriously difficult to grow.

For starters, they do not grow in ordinary garden soil, as they require a substrate, or underlying substance or layer.

Used coffee grounds make a great substrate because they are packed full of nutrients that mushrooms like to grow on (21).

What’s more, they have already been sterilized during the brewing process, which would otherwise be an extra step in the growing process.

How to Grow Mushrooms in Used Coffee Grounds

  1. Collect about 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) of grounds and moisten them using a spray bottle.
  2. Add a little over 1 pound (500 grams) of mushroom spore and sawdust mixture and mix well. You can look for this product at your local gardening store.
  3. Place resulting mixture into a filter patch grow bag, large freezer bag or bucket and fill until approximately one-half to two-thirds full.
  4. Cut four air holes, about 5 mm in size, into the sides of your container above the grounds. If you are using an open container, cover it with cellophane and poke with a few more small air holes.
  5. Lightly spray the grounds with water once daily or as needed to keep them moist.
  6. In about two to four weeks when you start to see dense white areas with little budding mushrooms, move the container to an area with lighter and fresher air.
  7. When the mushrooms become plump and their caps turn upward, you can harvest them.

You can use this method to grow just about any kind of mushroom, but shiitake and oyster varieties seem to be the easiest.

Summary When combined with adequate moisture, coffee grounds seem to be an ideal growing environment for mushrooms.

16. Treat Under-Eye Circles

The skin surrounding the eyes is extremely delicate and contains very little fat tissue. Because of this, it’s one of the first places you might see signs of aging (22).

Many things can contribute to the development of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, including fragile blood vessels, poor circulation and inadequate skin quality (23).

Coffee grounds seem to be a promising solution due to their high antioxidant and caffeine contents.

Studies show that skin care products containing antioxidants and caffeine can help prevent the appearance of aging and reduce under-eye circles (23, 24).

In particular, caffeine has anti-inflammatory properties and stimulates blood circulation around the eyes, which can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and swelling (12, 25).

The antioxidants in coffee can also help fight free radicals, which contribute to skin aging (26).

Simply add water or coconut oil to your coffee grounds to form a paste. Apply the mixture under your eyes and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing. Repeat this process daily or as needed.

Summary Coffee grounds contain caffeine and antioxidants. When applied to the skin, they can help prevent aging and reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles and puffiness.

Are Coffee Grounds Safe to Consume?

Drinking coffee has been linked to a number of health benefits, including a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke and some types of cancer (27, 28, 29, 30).

While it may seem safe to assume that consuming coffee grounds may yield similar benefits, many doctors caution against it.

Coffee beans contain compounds called cafestol and kahweol, which can increase blood cholesterol. These compounds are typically removed by paper filters when coffee is brewed but remain in the grounds.

One study looked at the effects of consuming about 0.25 ounces (7 grams) of coffee grounds per day. After three weeks, the blood cholesterol of participants increased by an average of 26 points (31).

Some recipes for baked goods, meat rubs and sauces call for coffee grounds. Using coffee grounds this way is probably fine as long as you don’t consume them often.

Summary Coffee grounds contain compounds that can raise blood cholesterol. Consuming small amounts on occasion is fine for most people, but they may be problematic if consumed in excess.

The Bottom Line

Most people discard the grounds left behind after brewing coffee. However, there are many great ways to reuse them.

The caffeine and antioxidants in coffee grounds may help combat cellulite, under-eye circles and other signs of aging skin.

Coffee grounds are also packed with nutrients that can nourish plants and deter pests in your garden.

Furthermore, their abrasiveness makes them a great cleaning scrub around the house.

Next time you brew yourself a cup of coffee, consider repurposing the grounds using one of the ideas in this article.

Coffee grounds for plants: the natural way to boost growth

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(Image credit: GettyImages)

Coffee has undeniable benefits when it comes to waking up the human body (especially during the pre-noon hours). However, its power is not limited to the kitchen. Instead, this caffeinated staple is equally as impactful in the garden, where experts are using coffee grounds to benefit their plants.

'Used coffee grounds – left over from using a coffee maker – contain a substantial amount of nitrogen, as well as potassium and phosphorus,' says coffee expert Lewis Spencer of Coffee Direct .' These properties make them perfect for garden activities, such as composting. It's an innovative way to make use of something that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. ' 

However, its power doesn't end there. Here's everything you need to know about this organic garden idea – according to those in the know.  

Are coffee grounds good for plants? Everything you need to know

(Image credit: GettyImages)

So, we've established that coffee grounds are good for plants. But what does the process involve? And does it work on all greenery? You can boost your plants with our expert tips below.

How to use coffee grounds as fertilizer

Did you know that your coffee grounds can be used as a slow-release fertilizer?

'I always use coffee grounds as fertilizer,' says James Gray, founder of Barista & Co . 'Some sizes of grounds can’t go down the sink, so giving them to your plants is a great way to reduce waste.'

Lewis Spencer adds: 'To use coffee compost, simply sprinkle the grounds directly onto your soil and lightly rake it in. Coffee grounds add organic material to the soil, helping water retention, aeration, and drainage.

'Leftover diluted coffee can create a liquid plant fertilizer, too. Simply mix two cups of brewed coffee grounds with five gallons of water in a bucket overnight.'

(Image credit: GettyImages)

How to make compost with used coffee grounds

If you are investigating how to make compost, the experts recommend adding coffee grounds to your ingredients. 

'Scientists state that a balance of 'greens' and 'browns' is needed to create the proper environment for composting to occur,' say the plant doctors at Patch Plants . 

‘Greens' are nitrogen-rich materials that are used by microorganisms in the soil for their growth and reproduction, and 'browns' are carbon-rich materials used to feed microorganisms and give them energy.  

'Greens' include items like fruit and vegetable peels, and used coffee grounds. 'Browns' include items such as dried leaves, twigs and newspaper.   

'When mixing green and brown together you should remember the ratio 1:4 (1 part green, 4 parts brown). If you have too much green material your compost pile will start to smell (a bi-product of microorganism reproduction is ammonia). If you don't have enough green material, the compost pile won't heat up because the microorganisms don’t have enough energy to do their thing. 

'After about three months your old coffee grounds will have been transformed into nutrient-rich compost giving your plants a much needed boost.  

'Remember to mix your compost thoroughly. If you leave coffee grounds on the surface of the soil, without raking them in and exposed to the air, they can dry out. Dried-out coffee compacts and will act as a barrier, preventing water from reaching the soil beneath. So mix-mix-mix and wait.'

If you practise vermi-composting with a worm bin, coffee grounds are a must as worms love them. For a small bin, add a cup of grounds per week to feed their addiction. Avoid adding too much at once because the acidity could negatively impact your worms. Paper coffee filters can even go in too.

Which plants like coffee grounds most?

Acid-loving plants in particular love coffee grounds because they will lower the pH level of soil, causing it to become more acidic,' says Jason White, the CEO at All About Gardening . 'Your roses, azaleas, lilies, and hollies because they are acid-loving plants that will thrive best in the acidic characteristic of coffee grounds,' he adds. 

The plant doctor at Patch Plants adds that many plants will benefit from a coffee compost that follows the correct 4:1 method. '[Ensure] it's not just put on the top of the soil where it's left to harden and prevent water from entering the soil.'

(Image credit: Alamy )

However, while coffee grounds have their undeniable benefits, Lindsey Hyland from  Urban Organic Yield warns that this trick does not work for every plant. 

'Tomatoes and rhododendrons are coffee-ground sensitive and may develop brown leaf tips if they come into contact with the grounds,' she says. So, if you're looking growing tomatoes, it may be better to keep remnants of your brewed beverage away. 

Similarly, Kate Russell from the Daily Gardener urges you to keep coffee grounds away from freshly seeded areas, as they can reduce germination.

Are coffee grounds good for hydrangeas?

Your hydrangeas will definitely get a bloom-boost from your recycled coffee grounds.

James Gray says: 'Coffee makes the soil more acidic and is packed with nitrogen, which hydrangeas go wild for, making them become super bright and colourful. 

'Essentially coffee is a fruit, so think of the amount of nutrition the soil gets from things like dropped apples and berries as this works in the same way.'

Are coffee grounds good for grass?

Your grass could be greener – and longer – with the addition of coffee grounds in the soil.

James Gray comments: 'Try mixing them through the soil in your indoor plants, or if you collect a larger amount, sprinkle them in grassy areas for a little growth boost. '

(Image credit: GettyImages)

Are coffee grounds good for roses?

The high nitrogen content makes used coffee grounds a good growing companion for roses, as it helps take the pH from neutral to acidic – you can find out about how to test the pH of soil in our guide.

Some experts suggest that you can sprinkle your coffee grounds in the soil next to the plant, but others warn that you should be careful not to put too much on as the high nitrogen content could actually burn – and kill – them. Do not use more than a cup for each bush.

Alternatively, you could mix one cup of grounds with one gallon of water per bush and use this mix to water the plants  so your roses are particularly bright and beautiful. And you can also use your coffee compost if you have made some.

Do coffee grounds deter slugs?

Coffee grounds are a great repellent for getting rid of slugs and snails. Simply spread the grounds around vulnerable plants to create a barrier against the insects.  

Lewis Spencer says: 'Research shows that caffeine is effective in repelling slugs and snails when applied to foliage or the growing medium of plants. This is because of the naturally abrasive properties of coffee: soft critters tend to avoid rough surfaces.'

Where can you get coffee grounds?

It is possible to enjoy coffee's benefits, even if you're not an avid drinker. Kate Russell suggests asking for used coffee grounds from neighborhood coffee houses, as they are likely to pass them along for free. 

'Coffee grounds contain up to 10% nitrogen after brewing. They also contain cellulose (carbohydrates), structural lignin (woody plant parts), triglycerides (oils), lipids (fats), protective phenolics (flavonoids/non-flavonoids), and essential oils,' she says. Now you have every excuse to call into your coffee house at the next opportunity. 

Ruth Doherty is an experienced digital writer and editor specializing in interiors, travel and lifestyle. With 20 years of writing for national sites under her belt, she’s worked for the likes of Livingetc. com, Standard, Ideal Home, Stylist and Marie Claire as well as Homes & Gardens.

Coffee grounds as a fertilizer for plants and flowers

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Coffee grounds as a fertilizer - for which plants to use

After drinking this drink, we usually throw the grounds in the trash, which is a mistake, because they can be very useful. Coffee can invigorate us and strengthen plants, as a natural fertilizer, it can be used to fight pests or prepare a precious substrate rich in minerals. We will tell you how to use coffee grounds as a fertilizer - for which plants it is useful and when it can harm.

What is in coffee?

Coffee grounds contain useful substances, valuable trace elements important for the proper development of plants:

  • Phosphorus - affects the proper development of the root system, stimulates flowering, fruiting, seed formation. Improves soil quality.
  • Magnesium is a building block of chlorophyll (green parts of the plant). The trace element is crucial for photosynthesis and the absorption of solar energy by flowers. Signs of magnesium deficiency are yellow, rusty spots on the leaves, slow development of young leaves.
  • Potassium - especially important for young seedlings, stimulates growth, affects flowering, stimulates the formation of new shoots. The macroelement supports the rational use of water in the plant, the correct course of metabolic processes. Potassium improves resistance to stress factors (frequent changes in temperature, air humidity, drought, diseases, especially fungal ones). Without potassium, flowers cannot develop normally and often become stunted.
  • Nitrogen compounds - support the proper development and growth of plants, regulate the consumption of other macronutrients (phosphorus, potassium), improve the condition and appearance of flowers. Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency - faded color of stems, leaves, slow or inhibited growth of aboveground and underground parts, chlorosis (yellowing of leaves).

Substances from coffee residues are released relatively slowly, making them a long lasting natural fertilizer. Therefore, you can use ground coffee as a long-acting fertilizer for indoor and garden plants.

Other benefits of grounds:

  • Soil mixed with coffee grounds is appreciated by acidophilic plants (which like soils with an acidic pH).
  • Coffee residue in the garden can neutralize excess calcium from tap water.
  • Excellent loosening of the soil, reducing its tendency to dry out.

Which plants benefit from coffee?

Coffee grounds have a slightly acidic pH, making them ideal as a fertilizer for acid-loving houseplants and acidophilic garden plants.

Help. Acidophilic plants are those that grow in acidic soils.

Acid-loving garden plants include:

  • hydrangeas;
  • heathers;
  • ferns;
  • erica;
  • rhododendrons;
  • sorrel;
  • cranberry;
  • blueberry;
  • mosses;
  • certain azaleas, vegetables, eg tomatoes;
  • strawberries.

Which potted flowers like acidic soil:

  • fern;
  • anthurium;
  • camellia;
  • begonia;
  • jasmine gardenia;
  • caladium;
  • spathiphyllum;
  • codium;
  • saintpaulia;
  • profusely flowering stephanotis.

Uses

Grounds can be used in several ways. It should not contain sugar, milk, other additives, have signs of mold, an unpleasant odor.

Mulching

The easiest way to use coffee pomace in your garden is to add it to the soil. You can mix it with the top layer of soil and use it as a substrate for planted flowers. The content of grounds in such a mixture should be no more than 20-25%.

Fresh grounds can be scattered around the plants immediately after mixing with the soil. You can dry it and use it in the garden at any time as a mulch.

Horticultural crops need nitrogen to absorb certain nutrients more quickly. Unfortunately, the soil is sometimes poor in this element. Coffee can help, there's a lot of nitrogen in the thick and it doesn't release very quickly. For this reason, it is recommended to use coffee mulch before watering or raining, by sprinkling the grounds on flowers or bushes, and then wetting the ground. During evaporation, the plants will receive the desired ingredient.

Attention! It is advisable to cover the thick with pine bark or other mulch on top, because it is light and sometimes blown away by the wind.

Grounds are also suitable for mulching potted plants. However, it is necessary to mix it with the top layer of the earth, otherwise it will quickly become moldy and become unusable.

Irrigation

Coffee grounds are also a good source of nutrients as garden fertilizer. Thick water is well suited for watering horticultural crops. It contains many minerals, including magnesium, phosphorus. You just need to remember to respect the proportions, because flowers and bushes do not need to be filled with coffee suspension.

Infusion ratio for indoor and garden plants:

  • For garden plants. Dilute 1 glass of grounds per 20 liters of water. With this infusion, acidophilic cultures can be watered every 7-14 days.
  • For potted flowers - lovers of an acidic or slightly acidic substrate, a similar coffee infusion can be prepared by pouring a tablespoon of grounds into 0. 5 liters of water. After mixing the grounds with water, wait until it swells. When this happens, you can water the flowers with the mixture.

For compost

Specialized companies operate in some countries to collect used coffee grounds from offices, bars, restaurants and other establishments to compost and use as an additive to substrates.

Take a cue from them and add grounds to the compost. Thanks to the thicker soil, it will be enriched with additional nutrients, and it will quickly acquire the desired consistency. Due to the content of nitrogen and other minerals, the grounds will become a valuable component that improves the structure and nutritional value of the compost. Improved compost will allow horticultural crops to grow better, more luxuriantly.

The smell of coffee will attract earthworms, which accelerate the processing of organic matter and the formation of humus.

There is no need to be afraid that the compost with the addition of coffee will become too acidic, because:

  • firstly, there is not too much thick;
  • secondly, the reaction of coffee differs according to different sources, it can be acidic and neutral, so it can hardly affect the pH of the entire compost.

Soil improvement before planting

A good option is to fertilize the soil from coffee grounds. Make it simple. Dig a hole 15-20 centimeters deep and add 1 cup of coffee to it, lightly sprinkle with earth, mix, then completely cover with earth. Seedlings planted in such fertilized soil will be distinguished by good growth and health.

We do the same when planting indoor flowers, add thickening to the soil.

Insect repellent

Using coffee grounds will help repel some insects:

  1. From ants . Just sprinkle it in small portions in places where insects appear to get rid of ants. Waste from an automatic or semi-automatic coffee machine can also be used to repel ants.
  2. Aphid control . Aphids can cover all stems, leaves, severely damaging the plant. If we do not want to use strong artificial aphids, we can choose natural substitutes. Coffee residue can be spread around the stems on the soil. To them it is worth adding a little chopped garlic, onion. This will maintain the pesticidal properties. To enhance the effect of thick, you can prepare an infusion of thick and garlic (onions): mix 2 teaspoons of thick with 2 cups of water and a small amount of onion-garlic broth or juice. We spray the plant with the resulting preparation.

Cat Repeller

If cats like certain garden plants, start watering them with coffee residue. You can also add a few orange peels to it. Plants will not be harmed because coffee is also a great fertilizer and cats will definitely avoid such places.

Things to remember

When growing crops in a vegetable garden, you should not rely solely on the use of coffee grounds as the only fertilizer, as their composition is not particularly rich in nutrients.

Thickness is also not able to greatly change the reaction of the soil, unlike preparations and specialized fertilizers (for example, ammonium sulfate).

However, it will help:

  1. maintain soil acidity;
  2. will enrich the soil with nitrogen, minerals;
  3. will improve its structure (thickness is light, loose, therefore loosens the soil, increases its absorbency).

The grounds are also useful as an additive to pot flower substrate. It is enough to add a few teaspoons of thick to a small pot to improve the structure of the substrate, make it more absorbent, better aerated.

What not to use coffee for

Unfortunately, despite its many benefits, coffee is not quite perfect:

  1. As a result of various studies, coffee grounds have been found to inhibit the growth and development of seedlings and seed germination.
  2. Coffee is blamed for the caffeine contained in it, which has all the allelopathic properties in relation to seeds and seedlings. Do not use it for cuttings, growing seedlings. Sometimes coffee is bad for the growth of certain plant species (such as Tradescantia), so use it in moderation and see how the plants react.

Help. Allelopathy (Greek allelon - mutual and pathos - suffering) - the harmful effect of chemicals released by plants or fungi of a given species or obtained as a result of the decomposition of these plants or fungi.

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