Coffee grounds: Turning waste into garden gold

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other micronutrients that are extremely valuable for plants. Thanks to the caffeine content and the structure of the grounds, they can effectively repel pests such as slugs and ants. Grounds help improve soil structure by increasing its water and air permeability, which positively affects plant growth.

Coffee grounds contain macronutrients such as magnesium, copper, and zinc, as well as micronutrients. Their intense odour and structure repel pests, discouraging them from approaching our plants.

The first step to using coffee grounds in the garden is collecting them. After enjoying your morning cup of coffee, instead of tossing the grounds away, it's worthwhile to set them aside in a container. The collected grounds can be stored for several days before being used in the garden.

To be ready for garden use, coffee grounds should be properly dried. They can be spread on newspaper or paper towels and left in a warm, airy place for a few days. Drying the grounds prevents mould formation and facilitates later storage.

Coffee grounds are a natural way to effectively deter slugs. The texture of the grounds makes it difficult for slugs to move across the soil. Simply sprinkle the grounds around plants that are prone to attack by these pests. This should be done regularly, especially after rain, which washes the grounds away. This way, we can effectively protect our plants from destruction.

Similarly, coffee grounds also repel ants. The intense aroma of coffee effectively discourages these insects from visiting our garden. To keep ants away from plants, simply sprinkle the grounds in areas where the insects are most active. You can also mix the grounds with borax to further enhance their effectiveness in battling these pests.

Coffee grounds can be used as an effective fertilizer for both garden and potted plants.

For potted plants, it is recommended to use a smaller amount of ingredients. Simply add one to two teaspoons of grounds to about 250 millilitres (one cup) of water. Mix it well and use it to water the plants in the pots. This proportion of ingredients is suitable for smaller plants and helps avoid over-fertilization.

The nutrient solution from the grounds is excellent for plants that prefer acidic soil. For potted plants, the grounds solution can be used for peace lilies, cacti, anthuriums, or Stephanotis, for example.

For garden plants that can be fed with the grounds fertilizer, include hydrangeas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and azaleas.

Before using coffee grounds, it's worthwhile to check what type of soil your plants prefer.