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5 minutes
Did you know that coffee leftovers can be used to put in the soil of garden plants? We tell you all about it.
Are you a fan of coffee? If your answer is yes, and you are also a gardener, this article is the one for you. We will show you the advantages and disadvantages of using coffee in plants.
Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world after water. Without a doubt, it is an essential product for millions of people because it fills them with energy and pleasure.
It is also used in cosmetics and in the manufacture of medicines. However, not all people think of using the grounds that remain after a good cup.
However, there is a popular belief that putting these grounds on the plants helps them grow better and serves as fertilizer. How true is it? In this article we will tell you about the benefits and limits of using coffee to fertilize plants.
What are the advantages of using coffee on plants?
An investigation of the polytechnic university of Valencia evaluated the impact of using coffee grounds in the soil to help solve problems of erosion and land damage. Several tests were conducted in the study, using coffee in various ways.
The results allowed us to conclude that, if you want to avoid water erosion or minimize it, coffee grounds are a good option. They also improve soil properties, such as organic matter content and ability to retain moisture.
The study confirmed that the use of this type of residue in the fields could be a way of conserving the soil. This would prevent water erosion.
Another advantage of reusing coffee in plants is that waste is used. It is estimated that for every ton of coffee, about 650 grams of grounds are produced, according to a research from the National University of Colombia. Therefore, reusing them is a way to be more sustainable.
Along the same lines, a Washington State University publication points out that, in general, coffee grounds have positive effects on the soil. On the one hand, They help regulate temperature and improve soil water retention. They also increase nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and zinc.
What are the disadvantages of putting coffee on plants?
After pointing out the advantages of taking advantage of coffee grounds in the garden, you will think that it is a wonderful product. Although it is true that it can be very useful, there are certain limitations and some disadvantages.
In the first place, it is necessary not to use it in excess, because it could be counterproductive. Nutrient requirements are not the same for all plants.
Therefore, while some will make good use of the coffee grounds, others will slow down their growth. This happens in plants that also have caffeine, such as coca or tea.. You should not use it on them. It is also not a good fertilizer for tomato crops.
In this regard, one University of Melbourne research tested using coffee grounds in the cultivation of broccoli, leek, radish, viola and sunflower. They found that coffee could have a negative influence on growth, increasing the water retention capacity of the soil, but also decreasing the growth of horticultural plants.
Another case in which it is not convenient to use coffee grounds is when seeds are being germinated. And the reason is that they can limit germination.
Regarding the pH of the soil, it is important to point out that that belief that coffee makes soils more acidic is not entirely true. Although coffee is acidic, the grounds do not necessarily retain the same properties. It is also a myth that it helps prevent the appearance of pests, such as slugs.
How to use coffee grounds on plants?
Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of using coffee on plants, you should know that you can use it in two ways. First, as part of the compost. And on the other hand, with the untreated coffee grounds.
In the first case, you just have to put the coffee remains to compost with the rest of the organic material. If you do worm farming, coffee grounds are good food for worms. But try to add it in small amounts.
On the other hand, if you want to use the remains of the untreated coffee grounds, the best option is to place them on the surface. Make a light blanket above the ground.
Take advantage of other organic waste
Every day the need for people to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyles is greater. Given this, the maximum use of resources is a habit that many are beginning to implement.
Making compost at home is not a complex task and helps to have fertilizer available for your garden at any time. In addition to taking advantage of the remains of coffee in the plants, you can also add the shells of fruits, eggs and vegetables.
One of the most efficient methods is through vermiculture. Although it may sound unpleasant to have worms in the house, the truth is that their presence does not even have to be noticed.
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