Plant Recommendations: What You Need to Know

In recent years, the home gardening has incorporated more and more natural and sustainable solutions for the care of plants and gardens. Among them, an everyday waste that normally ends up in the trash began to gain prominence: coffee grounds.

It is organic material What remains after preparing cafécontains nutrients that can be beneficial for the soil. According to specialists in horticulture and sustainable gardening, when used correctly it can help improve soil fertility, promote the growth of some plants and provide organic matter to the garden.

What are the benefits of coffee grounds for plants, according to gardening experts?

The coffee grounds contains compounds that can contribute to soil balance. Investigations of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) from the United Kingdom point out that this organic waste can be useful as fertilizer in small quantities, applying it as complement of compost or substrate.

Among the main benefits highlighted by specialists are:

• Nutrient contribution to the soil: Coffee grounds contain small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, 3 essential nutrients for plant development. According to horticulturists at the University of Washington, these elements can enrich the soil when coffee is mixed with other organic materials.
• Substrate structure improvement: By integrating with the soil, it helps improve aeration and moisture retention. British gardener and popularizer James Wong, author of Grow for Flavor, explains that “organic matter such as coffee grounds can contribute to a more lively and balanced soil.”
• Stimulation of beneficial microorganisms: Composting experts highlight that this material favors the microbial activity of the soil, which contributes to the natural process of decomposition and fertilization.
• Possible natural repellent effect: Some gardeners use coffee grounds around plants to try to deter snails and slugs. Although its effectiveness may vary, the Royal Horticultural Society recognizes that many people use it for this purpose.
• Excellent material for compost: Organic gardening specialists recommend incorporating it into domestic compost, where it is mixed with dry leaves and plant remains to generate a natural fertilizer.

How to use coffee grounds correctly in the garden to fertilize plants?

To obtain benefits without affecting the plantsexperts recommend use coffee grounds in moderation and combine it with other organic elements. These are the options to take advantage of it:

• Mix it with the earth: A small amount can be incorporated into the substrate to provide organic matter and improve soil texture.
• Sprinkle a thin layer around the plants: This can help maintain soil moisture and gradually add nutrients.
• Combine it with dried leaves or plant remains: This mixture balances its composition and prevents the mulch from compacting or altering soil drainage.
• Add it to the compost

Horticulturist Linda Chalker-Scott, researcher at the Washington State Universitywarns that the coffee grounds It can be useful as organic matter, but should be applied in moderate amounts and preferably composted.