Did you know that coffee grounds can help you fertilise plants? Maybe until now you have always thrown them away, precisely because you were not aware of this ingenious and ecological way of recycling them.
That said, it is true that not all species benefit from this novel fertilisation system. That is why we decided to tell you which plants should not be fertilised with coffee grounds… and which ones should!
Which plants should not be fertilised with coffee
Before revealing which plants you should not fertilise with coffee grounds, let’s try to understand what makes them a good fertiliser. You need to know that this part of your favourite beverage, which usually ends up in the dustbin, is actually rich in numerous minerals, the most important of which are:
- calcium;
- nitrogen;
- potassium;
- magnesium.
These minerals are able to provide plants with very important benefits. Nitrogen, in particular, promotes their flowering, while helping the trees to bear fruit. In addition to this, they are also optimal for keeping unwanted guests such as worms, snails, slugs and ants out of your garden – all in a sustainable and respectful manner.
We, who know about coffee, were the first to be surprised when we realised the great ecological potential of coffee grounds, but then again, we always knew how rich and nutritious this beverage was. And the fact that we specialise in the production of lever machines is certainly no coincidence.
In fact, these machines are the only ones that guarantee you a coffee with an intense and full-bodied aroma, while preserving all nutrients. We are also convinced that if you want to drink good coffee, you should do it with the right machine. So browse through our catalogue and find the right coffee machine for you and, once you have enjoyed it, remember not to throw away the grounds!
Especially since using them as fertiliser is really quite simple, as you just have to spread them directly on the soil in pots or in the ground. The question is: in the soil of which plants? As we have already explained, not all species are able to benefit from coffee grounds. Plants that should never be fertilised in this way include:
- broccoli;
- tomatoes;
- sunflowers;
- radishes.
The reason why these plants are unsuitable for fertilisation with coffee grounds is due to the acidic effect of coffee grounds, which lowers the pH of the soil. By virtue of this process, therefore, coffee grounds should never be used on soil that is already acidic in itself or, on the contrary, on plants that do not tolerate acidification, such as those we have mentioned.
On the other hand, however, there are also plants that are defined as ‘acidophilic’, precisely because of their predilection for acidic soils. These are precisely the plant species that can be fertilised with coffee grounds: a category in which basil and berries are included.
Can coffee grounds be used to fertilise succulents?
The cultivations we have mentioned so far mainly involve people with a ‘green thumb’. If you do not have one, however, you should not necessarily think that this subject does not concern you: there are in fact plants that are also appreciated by those who do not know how to handle them, precisely because they are so easy to grow.
We are obviously referring to succulents, which are characterised by the fact that they require very little care and, as such, are perfect for those who tend to kill off any plant that has the misfortune to fall into their hands.
The reason we are telling you this is because, among the species we have listed to answer the question ‘which plants should not be fertilised with coffee grounds’, succulents are not included.
This means that if you have a cactus as a friend, you can safely fertilise it with the ‘waste’ from your favourite beverage. The coffee grounds will not only contribute to its growth, but will also aerate its soil, providing it with massive, healthy oxygenation.
But that’s not all: unlike the nutrients contained in chemical fertilisers, those in coffee grounds tend to be absorbed more slowly, resulting in their beneficial effects lasting longer.
That said, you should still use them sparingly. The amount of coffee grounds used as fertiliser should ideally represent no more than 20% of the soil mixture. Otherwise, in fact, the risk is to turn them into harmful substances, favouring the presence of mould and parasites that would inevitably end up ‘suffocating’ the poor plant.
As with everything, therefore, stick to the old adage of ‘cum grano salis’, using coffee grounds only from time to time and never neglecting the normal care that every plant needs.
Conclusion
If you have read this far, you will have officially convinced yourself of the great usefulness of coffee grounds, which, far from being called ‘waste’, can be recycled in a smart and environmentally friendly way. So, the next time you enjoy your favourite beverage, avoid throwing it in the dustbin.By doing so, you will be doing two good deeds at once: you will be doing good for your plants and you will be recycling sustainably, all for the benefit of the environment. Take it as an ‘excuse’ to treat yourself to a few extra cups of coffee (always ‘cum grano salis’!), perhaps prepared with one of our excellent lever machines!