If you are a coffee drinker, you might be happy to know that there is a use for all of those used coffee grounds. Coffee grounds can be a beneficial addition to the garden, especially for tomatoes that often need extra fertilizer.
Why are coffee grounds beneficial?
Coffee grounds provide a good source of nitrogen. Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plant growth. It helps with the development of healthy plant tissues and the production of chlorophyll. Coffee grounds can also deter pests like slugs and snails, attract beneficial creatures like earthworms, and help prevent late blight, a fungal disease that can wreak havoc on the plant and destroy the fruit.
How do you use coffee grounds?
There are many different ways to use coffee grounds. The best method is to compost them. Coffee grounds by themselves can often be quite acidic, so composting helps to ensure that the pH of the soil remains balanced. Here are a few of the main ways coffee grounds can be used.
- Composted: Coffee grounds are considered “green material,” so they should make up less than 20% of your total compost. You can add well-composted coffee grounds to the hole at planting time or till the compost into the soil to prepare for the next growing season.
- Under Mulch: You can put a thin, half-inch layer of used grounds in a circle around the base of plants to give them a nitrogen boost, and then add mulch on top to conserve moisture.
- Worked into soil: You can also put used coffee grounds around the base of the plant and then thoroughly work them into the soil 2-3 inches deep.
Are there any problems with using coffee grounds for tomatoes?
Since coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, tomato plants may receive too much nitrogen if the soil is not well balanced. Too much nitrogen will result in plentiful, thick leaves and stems, but a lack of fruit production. If overused, coffee grounds may also mess with the pH of the soil, making it too acidic. If you are only using coffee grounds as fertilizer, it may also mean that your plants are not getting all of the macro and micronutrients that they need to thrive.
What is the best tomato fertilizer?
The best tomato fertilizer is well-balanced and uses all natural materials that help build up the soil by feeding the microbes. Healthy soil will provide support for plants all season long. Your tomato fertilizer should also contain essential macronutrients, micronutrients, and trace elements. Dr. JimZ Tomato Secret will help you grow the biggest, healthiest, and most delicious tomatoes you have ever seen. Four generations of tomato growers helped to develop the best fertilizers on earth. Try Tomato Secret today and prepare to taste the difference.
Photo Credits
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