From the page: Used coffee grounds: far beyond the cup
Idea 9
Fertilizer and amendment for plants
Backyard gardeners always saved coffee grounds for their plants, and science explains why: they are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, nutrients that feed the soil slowly. In addition, their light texture helps aerate compacted soil and attracts earthworms, the great engineers of healthy soil.
What you need
- Brewed, already-cooled coffee grounds
- Wooden spoon or small fork
- Pot or garden bed with soil
- A container with a lid to collect the grounds during the week
How to make it
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1
Store the day's grounds in an open container for a day or two to dry out a bit; very wet grounds can mold inside the pot.
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2
With the spoon or fork, gently loosen the soil on the pot's surface, without hurting the roots — this way the fertilizer penetrates better.
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3
Spread one spoonful of grounds per small pot (or two in garden beds) and mix with the topsoil.
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4
Water normally afterwards: the water carries the nutrients toward the roots little by little.
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5
Repeat every two or three weeks; the slow pace is exactly what prevents excess.
Finishing touches
dried grounds spread in a thin layer around plants also help keep ants and snails away. Prefer small doses on young seedlings, which are more sensitive.
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