Do you know what hortensias, also known as hydrangeas, and blueberries have in common?

Well, both of them will actually help you to get rid of one very specific kitchen waste – coffee sludge! We are sure that you have been throwing away coffee sludge for ages, but you should stop doing that now. You will find many plants in your garden who literally crave that sludge.

This procedure will not cost you anything – except the walk that you have to do to go to dumb the sludge onto your flowerbeds. Coffee sludge is loved by all acid-loving plants, and hortensia and blueberries are one of them.

What nutrients does coffee sludge provide to plants?

Above all plenty of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Also zucchinis, all berries and strawberries will love coffee sludge. We are sure you know that coffee sludge was used on roses since the beginning of time, and roses love it. There is no special procedure. Simply spread the coffee grounds (ideally without sugar) on your flower beds or slightly work it into the soil. It will aerate the soil and help the soil to retain moisture.

Coffee sludge can also be used as a bottom layer under bark mulch (underneath because the sediment alone could be easily blown away by stronger wind). So, if you are planning on using mulch and you want to add coffee sludge, then simply dry the sludge on a layer of newspaper, and then simply spread it onto flowerbeds.

Photo: Pixabay

Our advice: If you want to use coffee sludge to fertilize houseplants, never just throw the coffee sludge onto the surface of the soil, but always work it in. Otherwise, the sludge could quickly form an unpleasant, slimy looking layer that could attract mould or insects.

You Can Also Use Coffee Sludge for Compost

You can add 1-3 spoonfuls of coffee sludge per week to each larger plant. What about if you have plenty of coffee sludge left? Do not worry. Put it in your compost. As the coffee sludge decomposes, it loses most of its acidity, so it will not spoil your composting efforts. On the contrary. It will supply your compost with valuable nutrients which should not be wasted.

Anything else? Wasps do not like the smell of coffee, so before you start barbecuing, throw some dried coffee sludge directly into the fire. Wasps will avoid the area so you could barbecue in peace.

Photo: Pixabay