Coffee in the garden

Coffee grounds are known for their natural repellent effect against insects and slugs. They are particularly effective against aphids, carrot flies, and slugs.  To repel insects, you can sprinkle coffee grounds around your plants. To repel slugs, you can mix coffee grounds with wood ash.  Furthermore, with its strong smell and bitter taste, coffee grounds can also be effective at keeping certain furry animals away, such as cats, dogs, rabbits, or even foxes.

Coffee grounds are an excellent natural fertilizer for plants. Practical, eco-friendly, and economical, they release their nutrients slowly and gradually, allowing plants to absorb them as needed.  Coffee grounds are particularly beneficial for leafy vegetables, flowers, and acid-loving plants, such as hydrangeas, azaleas, and rhododendrons.  To use coffee grounds as fertilizer, you can add them to your compost pile, but you can also sprinkle them directly around the plants.  However, if you sprinkle them, be careful not to use too much, as this could acidify the soil and harm your plants.  Finally, you can mix the coffee grounds into the soil before planting or repotting your plants.

Although coffee grounds are beneficial for many plants, it is important to note that certain plant species do not particularly appreciate their use. Here are a few examples of plants that may be sensitive to coffee grounds:

• Plants that prefer alkaline soil: coffee grounds are slightly acidic, which means they can lower the soil’s pH.  Plants that prefer alkaline soil—that is, soil with a high pH—may not thrive with an excessive amount of coffee grounds. Among these plants are lilacs, peonies, and lavender.
• Plants that do not like excessive moisture: as you can see, coffee grounds retain a certain amount of moisture, which is good for many plants.  On the other hand, plants that prefer well-drained, dry soil, such as certain succulents (cacti, for example), may suffer if coffee grounds are used in excess and the soil becomes too moist.
• Plants sensitive to caffeine: caffeine is harmful to certain plants, such as fuchsias and geraniums.

Difficulty level: Easy