Some gardeners prefer using them as mulch since they work well for suppressing weeds and maintaining a stable soil temperature.
How To Use Coffee Grounds Safely
My number one tip for using coffee grounds is to use them in moderation!
When people hear that something is beneficial for their plants or garden, they tend to overuse it in hopes of obtaining more yield or better gardening results. More is NOT better!
If you add excessive amounts of coffee grounds to your soil, it will likely become too acidic, which would be harmful even for plants that thrive in acidic soil.
Furthermore, an overly dense layer of coffee grounds would make it harder for water to penetrate the soil properly.
How To Test For Acidic Soil
The most accurate way to test for acidic soil would be to use a soil pH test kit that you can easily get from your local gardening center or order online.
All you’ll need to do is collect soil samples from different areas of your garden and either mix them with some sort of testing solution with water or run them through a digital pH meter. Make sure to collect multiple soil samples so variability is ruled out.
Typically, the test will involve comparing the color change or digital reading to a pH scale or chart that will help you determine the soil’s acidity.
To Conclude…
Many plants can significantly benefit from coffee grounds, but if they don’t receive this boost, I’m afraid you might never see them reach their fullest growth, blooming, and fruiting potential.
Hopefully, this article convinced you to give coffee grounds a try in your garden and see how many of your favorite plants love the generous nutrient and acidity boost.
