DIY Liquid Fertilizer from Coffee Grounds: Nourish Your Plants Naturally
Coffee lovers, rejoice! Your daily coffee habit can benefit more than just your morning routine. Used coffee grounds can be transformed into a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer that will boost the health of your indoor plants, window boxes, and container gardens. Here’s a simple guide to making and using coffee ground liquid fertilizer, along with tips on its nutrient properties and cautions on which plants to avoid.
Why Use Coffee Ground Liquid Fertilizer?
Coffee grounds are rich in essential nutrients that plants need to thrive. They contain nitrogen, which is crucial for leaf growth, as well as small amounts of potassium, phosphorus, and other micronutrients. Using coffee ground liquid fertilizer can promote healthy, vibrant plants naturally.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of used coffee grounds
- 5 gallons of water
Instructions:
- Collect Coffee Grounds: After brewing your coffee, collect the used coffee grounds in a container. Dry out in the oven and store in a air tight container for longer shelf life and to use when required.
- Mix with Water: In a large bucket, combine 2 cups of used coffee grounds with 5 gallons of water. Stir the mixture well to ensure the grounds are evenly distributed.
- Steep: Let the mixture sit and steep overnight, which allows the nutrients from the coffee grounds to leach into the water.
- Strain: After steeping, strain the liquid to remove the solid coffee grounds. You can use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this step.
- Use: Pour the liquid fertilizer directly onto the soil around your indoor plants, window boxes, or container gardens. You can also use it as a foliar spray by transferring the liquid into a spray bottle.
Benefits:
- Nutrient-Rich: Coffee grounds contain essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, which promote healthy plant growth
- Improves Soil Quality: The organic matter from coffee grounds can improve soil structure, aiding in moisture retention and aeration
Plants That Benefit:
- Acid-Loving Plants: Coffee grounds are slightly acidic, making them ideal for acid-loving plants such as tomatoes, blueberries, azaleas, and roses
- General Use: Suitable for most indoor plants, including ferns, philodendrons, and pothos.
Plants to Avoid:
- Alkaline Soil Plants: Avoid using coffee ground fertilizer on plants that prefer alkaline soil, such as lavender, rosemary, and certain types of geraniums
- Young Seedlings: Coffee grounds can inhibit the growth of young plants due to their caffeine content and potential acidity. Avoid using them on seedlings and very young plants
Caution:
- Moderation: Do not overuse coffee ground fertilizer. Excessive use can lead to nutrient imbalances and potential soil acidity issues. A good rule of thumb is to apply the liquid fertilizer once a week or every other week.
By following these steps, you can effectively turn your coffee waste into a valuable resource for your plants, helping them thrive while reducing your environmental footprint.