If you’re a fan of filter coffee in the morning, you probably have the habit of throwing your coffee grounds in the trash. This drink, which is a real ritual for many of us, but can also help us take care of our vegetable garden thanks to its fertilizing elements and minerals. Here are 10 economical, ecological and practical tips for using coffee grounds in your garden.
Some everyday waste can be very useful if you know the right tips. Coffee grounds are one of them and can help you care for your plants in many ways. Before storing it for regular use, you should be aware that it must first dry outdoors or on a plate in an oven that is still slightly warm. Once dry, place in a bag and store in the freezer. After three hours it is ready for use.
If you prefer to have it handy, simply place it in the refrigerator in an airtight box. It is the ideal solution to store it for several days. Now that you know more about how to preserve this ingredient, let’s move on to its many uses:
Here are 10 ways to use coffee grounds in your garden:
- TO KEEP PESTS AWAY
If your vegetable plants and flower beds are a popular target for slugs, you can use coffee grounds as a natural repellent. To do this, sprinkle it around your plants. Its strong smell also repels ants, aphids, nematodes and flies. A great advantage to protect your plants naturally. Don’t forget to re-scatter after heavy rains and place around young seedlings to prevent them from being eaten by pests. There are 12 more tips for recycling coffee grounds at home. - TO ACTIVATE THE COMPOST
This natural and ecological solution is very simple. If you have a worm composter to sort your organic waste, all you need to do is add coffee grounds. An ingredient that earthworms particularly love because it makes it easier to digest organic matter in compost. Earthworms are also sensitive to caffeine and will break down these plants more quickly if you provide them with coffee grounds. - TO REPELL CATS
If the love we give to these furry companions cannot be questioned, that doesn’t stop us from wanting to protect our plantations. In fact, it is difficult to make them understand that we should not go near our plants. To prevent your cat from nibbling on your plants, spray the leaves with coffee grounds mixed with a little water or place some at the base of your plantations. The smell is strong enough to repel it, especially if you add some orange or lemon zest and peel. - ENRICH THE SOIL WITH NUTRIENTS
Coffee grounds are rich in phosphorus, potassium and copper and are an ideal fertilizer to provide your plants with nutrients and improve the soil structure. It works in addition to your natural nitrogen-rich fertilizers (horn meal, nettle manure, etc.) and gives your beautiful plants everything they need to grow. Sprinkle the coffee grounds at the base of your young shoots or work them directly into the soil. Bonus: Its acidity is also useful for accentuating the color of your fruits and flowers. So if you grow orchids or hydrangeas, feel free to put them anywhere. You can also grow orchids at home by following these tips. - TO PREPARE LIQUID ORGANIC FERTILIZER
To make your own homemade fertilizer, first scoop coffee grounds from the coffee maker’s filter and then pour them into a large container with 2 liters of water. Mix for a few seconds and set aside in a dark, cool room for a day or two. After 48 hours, strain the preparation to recover the coffee beans and pour the remaining solution into a spray bottle. It can be used as a natural fertilizer to water your plants. - TO ATTRACT EARTHWORMS
Coffee grounds attract the earthworms that are responsible for transporting them underground. By sprinkling it on your soil, it brings nutrients to your plantations and also serves as food for earthworms. This type of earthworm plays an important role because its movements promote aeration of the soil.
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- TO GROW YOUR TOMATOES
If all fruits and vegetables cannot tolerate coffee grounds, the tomato is one of the plants that benefit from this fertilizer. Sprinkling the coffee grounds on the feet of this summer vegetable will result in beautiful red tomatoes thanks to the acidity of your ingredient. You can even add a few eggshells to enrich the soil. It is also the ideal alternative to chemical fertilizers. - TO AVOID SLIDING ON DRIVEWAYS IN WINTER
If growing vegetables isn’t your interest, this tip is for you. In fact, coffee grounds are used for more than just optimizing plant growth. It’s also a great eco-friendly substitute for salt to prevent slipping on frozen driveways in the winter. Coffee grounds are not only environmentally friendly, but they also behave like this spice. On the other hand, the increase in the salinity of water and soil and thus the deterioration of ecosystems is avoided. - HOW TO GROW MUSHROOMS
Those who enjoy growing their own vegetable garden will be pleased to discover this trick. And for good reason, it allows you to grow delicious mushrooms using a natural and inexpensive method. To do this you need coffee grounds and mycelium (vegetative part of the mushroom, editor’s note). If you have your ingredients on hand, place them in a bag and place in a warm, dark place for 3 weeks. After this time, take the bag outside and start watering to retain moisture. The first mushrooms should appear after about ten days! - TO CLEAN YOUR WOODEN FENCES
Ideal for getting rid of mosquitoes easily, coffee grounds are also an excellent cleaner to condition wood, preserving its color and eliminating small scratches and streaks that dull its surface. If you have a garden shed or wooden fences that you want to clean naturally, the trick is quite simple. Mix equal parts white vinegar, water, and coffee grounds in a bowl and let sit for about an hour. Then soak a cloth with this mixture and apply it directly to your boards. All you have to do is rub for a few minutes to make them shine again. This trick also works indoors to make your wooden furniture shine.
Warning: Coffee grounds can be very useful for your garden, but remember that they are not suitable for all plants. As a precaution, use it in small doses at first and then see if it has a positive effect on your plants. As with any natural ingredient, moderation is essential to avoid counterproductive effects on your vegetable garden!