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Many use coffee grounds as fertilizer, snail protection or throw them on the compost. Read here why this can be harmful.
The use of coffee grounds as fertilizer for the garden is no longer a secret. But did you know that coffee grounds in the Garten can also be harmful? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at coffee grounds as a gardening miracle and highlight three misconceptions you should definitely avoid.
What are coffee grounds and why should they be good for the garden?
Coffee grounds are a waste product that is left over from coffee preparation – i.e. the coffee powder used. It is rich in nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and other important nutrients essential for plant growth. These nutrients help Plantto stay healthy and unfold their full splendor. Sometimes, however, these can be harmful to the plants. Also interesting: Coffee: The Surprising History of the Espresso Martini
Misconception 1: Coffee grounds are good fertilizer
Coffee grounds can be considered organic fertilizer be used. It is rich in nitrogen, which is an important nutrient for plant growth. In order to use it as fertilizer, you should spread out the coffee grounds before fertilizing and dry them so that they don’t start to mold in the garden later. Once this is completely dry, you can distribute it widely around the plant.
However, if used in excessive amounts, it can acidify the soil and stunt plant growth. The opposite can also happen: there can be a high release of nitrogen, leading to a rapid growth of the plants, but also leads to a rapid breakdown of the nutrients in the soil. It is therefore important to use coffee grounds in moderation and to combine them with other fertilizers.
Pro tip: Coffee grounds are ideal for plants that need a little acidification, such as blueberries or rhododendrons. Coffee grounds have a pH value between 6.5 and 6.8, so they are almost pH-neutral – in contrast to Coffee, which has a pH between 4.5 and 5. However, some plants such as fruit trees or potatoes require a neutral soil. No coffee grounds should be added here. Read here:
Misconception 2: Coffee acts as a snail deterrent
Many gardeners swear by coffee grounds as natural snail defense. However, there is no scientific evidence that coffee grounds actually keep snails away. The University of Alaska took place in a Study found out that coffee helps against snails. To do this, they diluted coffee and then sprayed it onto the leaves.
The explanation: Caffeine acts as a neurotoxin on snails, which is why they desist from the sprayed plants. However, the caffeine in the coffee grounds is far less than in the actual coffee and therefore hardly harmful to the snails. They just crawl over the coffee grounds. Read here: Coffee in the morning: why it’s a bad idea
Misconception 3: Coffee helps the compost
Many dispose of coffee grounds as a type of organic matter on the Compound. However, there are a number of reasons against this disposal.
Reason 1: A major contributor to the decomposition of the organic matter on the compost heap is the earthworm. It loosens the soil, releases important nutrients and keeps it pH-neutral. However, if coffee grounds are spread in large quantities in the garden, it can have a negative impact on it. The chemical components in decomposed coffee can be toxic to earthworms, affecting their growth and reproduction. researcher found that earthworms even die when coffee grounds are added to the compost heap. Also interesting: Dispose of cooking oil: How to avoid expensive mistakes
Reason 2: There is also a risk that coffee grounds clumps together and blocks air exchange in the compost, which can inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Coffee also has an antibacterial effect, which also has a negative effect on microorganisms. It is best to dispose of the coffee grounds in organic waste. (soy)
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