Gardening with Coffee: What Plants Like Ground Coffee?
Coffee lovers can use up a small pile of fresh coffee grounds over the course of a whole week. Should all of it just go into the trash?
They can, but it may be better to use those leftover grounds by adding them to your indoor plant pots or around the beds of your garden plants.
While garden coffee grounds aren't considered a miracle solution, they are very useful as part of a compost pile or as a thin layer of mulch.
In this blog, Mystic Monk Coffee will discuss the benefits of using coffee grounds in your garden, the plants that like them, and the steps to prepare them for healthier plant growth.
How to Use Coffee Grounds in Gardening
First and foremost, let's discuss the different ways gardeners can use their leftover coffee grounds. While some may suggest simply adding the grounds to their soil, it's important to know that there are more specific ways to apply them in order to get the best results.
Below, we list a few good uses for both indoor and outdoor plants. We’ll give a short breakdown, but always remember it’s best to do more in-depth research from experts in the field (literally). Here are the methods you should use for your old coffee grounds:
- Dilute as a Liquid Fertilizer: Add 2 cups of old grounds to 5 gallons of water. Leave to steep overnight, then pour over your garden beds or into a spray bottle. This liquid mixture adds nutrients to your plants’ soil and repels certain pests.
- Compost Coffee Grounds: Mix your old grounds with other organic materials, such as leaves, plant trimmings, wood chips, and eggshells. Leave these to decay together in a container over several months. You'll then have a nice, nutrient-rich compost pile to add to your soil, keeping your plants fed and healthy in well-draining soil.
- Mulch Coffee Grounds: Add a thin layer of grounds over your planting bed, then a thicker layer of mulch on top. This layered approach creates a nice protective coat over the soil, which keeps it well-drained and is great at moisture retention. This is especially useful in dry areas and for plants that require lots of water.
Of course, one thing to note is that you shouldn't use too many coffee grounds. Coffee is a great soil additive, but it can lead to negative results if it's used too much.
What Plants Like Ground Coffee in Their Soil?
A common myth about coffee grounds in gardening is that they make soil more acidic.
Not true. Once used to brew a fresh cup of your favorite coffee, the grounds tend to have a mid-range pH level, making them less acidic than many presume.
Generally speaking, coffee grounds are good for plants that prefer a balanced to acidic soil pH. Some of these plants include:
Azaleas
Azaleas come in a range of beautiful colors and, when grown healthy, are a great addition to any garden bed. And since they grow best in well-drained acidic soil, mixing coffee grounds into their plant bed can significantly help their growth.
Basil
Fresh basil is a delicious ingredient to have on hand, and it makes for a great companion to plant alongside your tomatoes. However, they are vulnerable to garden slugs, but a spray of diluted coffee and water easily scares them away.
Blueberries
Blueberry bushes are lovely to look at and delectable to eat. They are excellent additions to your garden. Since the best time to plant them is usually around fall or winter, it's important to make sure they are in well-draining soil that is resistant to rot.
Fortunately, coffee grounds mixed into soil are known to have anti-microbial properties that can help prevent some diseases.
Cabbage
Cabbage is another great ingredient and a showy plant to add to your garden. It is also a favorite of slugs. To ward them off from your budding cabbages, simply spray a coffee/water solution around your plants so they can grow safely.
A thin layer of coffee grounds underneath a thicker layer of mulch can also help retain moisture, which helps your cabbage plants grow even further.
Roses
Rose bushes are another gorgeous plant to have in your garden bed. These plants enjoy more acidic soil, which you can encourage by mixing coffee grounds with nutrient-rich garden soil. Their coarseness will help give the soil texture and improve drainage. Plus, coffee wards off a few pesky pests.
Brew Before You Bring Your Grounds to The Garden
Of course, to get used to the grounds, you'll need to drink some delicious coffee first. Why not check out Mystic Coffee's selection of blends, roasts, and flavored coffees? All of our coffee beans and grounds are freshly made by our artisans and dedicated Carmelite monks in Wyoming. Shop Mystic Monk Coffee today.
Benefits of Using Coffee Grounds in Gardening
There are many reasons to add coffee grounds to your garden plants. When prepared well, the grounds you use can provide protection and nutrients to your plants and soil. You also reduce some of your household waste.
Here are some more key benefits you get from using coffee grounds for plants:
- Coffee Grounds Deter Pests: The smell and texture of coffee grounds annoy certain pests that harm plants, including slugs, snails, and ants.
- Coffee Grounds Provide Nutrients: When composted well and mixed with your plant's soil, coffee grounds can release useful traces of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other nutrients into the soil. This helps improve soil quality and promotes healthy plant growth.
- Coffee Grounds Bring Earthworms: Earthworms are attracted to coffee grounds and other organic materials. Because their consumption and release of organic materials help improve soil composition and spread nutrients around, attracting more of them is a great way to help your garden grow and bloom beautifully.
Get Delicious Fresh Coffee Grounds from Mystic Monk Coffee.
Coffee grounds aren't just great for making a delicious cup of joe. They can also be used to create healthy compost or a nice fertilizer and repellent spray for your garden. Grow numerous plants, including beautiful roses and azaleas, as well as delicious fruits and vegetables.
No more coffee grounds in the trash. Use them to make your thumbs green and your garden full. And all you need to get started is a bag of your favorite coffee. Find one or many at Mystic Monk Coffee today.
