As summer temperatures soar, gardeners nationwide are eagerly awaiting the grand blooms of their roses and hydrangeas. However, achieving those large, lush flowers can be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, there’s a surprising solution that many plant enthusiasts might not be aware of: using leftover coffee grounds or used tea bags as plant food.
Michael Perry, the knowledgeable gardener behind Mr Plant Geek, explains that our daily cups of coffee and tea offer more than just a caffeine boost for us. These beverages are rich in acid and nitrogen, which are particularly beneficial for the growth of roses and hydrangeas. “Did you know that it’s not just us that can benefit from a hearty beverage? Our plants can get a kick from tea, coffee, and even milk!” says Michael.
For those looking to enhance the beauty of their roses and hydrangeas, it’s important to note that these flowers thrive in slightly acidic, nitrogen-rich soil, which leads to better blossoms. Using coffee grounds is a simple and effective way to achieve this. Whether you mix them into compost or scatter them directly on the soil, nature will take care of the rest as the grounds break down. Michael advises, “You can add coffee grounds directly to the soil around your plants to provide nutrients.” He also suggests using coffee grounds as a deterrent against snails and slugs by spreading them around the base of the plants.
Tea bags can also be a valuable addition to your gardening routine. They can help keep snails and other pests like ants or aphids at bay. After brewing a cup of tea, open a tea bag and pour the loose tea into a container. Once it has cooled completely, you can add it to your flowers. Similar to coffee, you can pour loose tea directly into the soil, but for roses, it’s best to mix it into their water.
Michael explains, “Like any container plant, roses can lose nutrients quicker than plants in the ground. However, roses love the acidity and nitrogen that tea contains. Water them regularly with cooled tea (no milk), or compost tea (made by steeping tea and other kitchen waste in water).”
So, the next time you enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, remember that your horticultural habits could also enhance the beauty of your garden.
