As warmer temperatures approach and the days grow longer, taking care of our outdoor spaces becomes an important task to ensure our plants thrive in the months ahead
Gardening during these seasons not only helps improve the appearance of our outdoor spaces but also contributes to the well-being of our plants. One surprising but highly beneficial way to enhance plant growth is by repurposing coffee grounds, a common household waste item.
Coffee is the most popular beverage worldwide, with reports saying that over 12 million litres of coffees are consumed every morning in the UK. Instead of throwing away your used coffee grounds, consider using them to benefit your plants. Like many other types of organic waste, coffee grounds can help improve the soil and promote plant health, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients that plants need to grow, including nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These elements are essential for plant health, contributing to healthy foliage, strong roots, and improved flowering or fruiting.
Despite their brown appearance, coffee grounds are classified as ‘green’ when composting because of their high nitrogen content. This makes them a valuable addition to compost heaps, where they can help balance out the carbon-rich materials and encourage faster decomposition.
There are various ways to incorporate coffee grounds into your gardening routine. One simple method is to add them directly to your compost pile, where they can break down and enrich the compost.
Alternatively, you can sprinkle the grounds around your plants to improve the soil’s nutrient content. Another effective use for coffee grounds is to dilute them with water to create a liquid fertiliser. This makes it easier to apply nutrients directly to your plants, especially those in pots or containers.
To make your own liquid fertiliser, simply collect a cup of used coffee grounds and mix them with a bucket of water. Let the mixture sit for a day, allowing the nutrients to dissolve into the water.
After 24 hours, strain the liquid and use it to feed your plants. This simple and cost-effective solution can help support plant growth and improve soil health.
If you don’t have any coffee grounds at home, you can always visit your local coffee shop and ask a barista if they can spare their used grounds. Many coffee shops throw them away, so they may be more than happy to give them to you for free, allowing you to put them to good use in your garden.
Using coffee grounds as a natural fertiliser is a great way to recycle a common household waste product, benefiting both your plants and the environment. So, the next time you brew a cup of coffee, think twice before tossing those grounds because they are what your garden needs to flourish.
