We buy a lot of useful things in stores for a lot of money, even though we don't have to. In many cases, fertilizers are part of this, because coffee grounds, for example, contain all the important ingredients for garden and potted plants. However, you shouldn't run into the garden straight away with the filter bag in your hand - some additional information is useful before fertilizing.
Can you fertilize boxwood with coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds are suitable for fertilizing boxwood if they are dried and mixed with stone powder in a 1:1 ratio. Apply the mixture in the root area and work it into the soil, then water. Use a maximum of once a week.
Coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer
The main nutrients that every plant needs are
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
- and phosphorus.
These are found in abundance in coffee grounds, as well as other minerals and trace elements. Of course, you shouldn't throw this treasure into the trash can, but rather use it for your plants. However, under no circumstances should you fertilize them with coffee that is still wet, as it molds very quickly. First dry the powder carefully and store it in a screw-top jar or similar. Discard it as soon as it smells even remotely like mold.
Is coffee suitable for fertilizing boxwood?
In principle, dried coffee grounds are also suitable for fertilizing boxwood. The only problem is that the agent also reduces the pH value of the soil. This becomes sour over time - and the lime-loving Buchs doesn't like that at all. For this reason, you should avoid using coffee as a fertilizer or add neutralizing stone powder to it. Plants growing on acidic or moorland soil, such as rhododendrons, azaleas or hydrangeas, particularly benefit from fertilization with coffee.
Fertilize boxwood properly with coffee grounds
If you don't want to do without the cheap fertilizer from the filter bag for your boxwood, then mix it with stone powder (€11.00 at Amazon). This also contains valuable trace elements and minerals and stimulates shoot growth. It also neutralizes the acidifying effect of coffee, so that the soil remains alkaline and the box continues to feel comfortable in it. Both products mixed together create a wonderful fertilizer. You should use this as follows:
- Mix the dried coffee grounds and the ground rock in a ratio of 1:1.
- Apply the mixture in the root area around the box.
- Work them carefully into the soil.
- Be sure to water after fertilizing so that the nutrients reach the roots.
- Alternatively, you can also stir the powder directly into the water.
- Fertilize the book with coffee grounds a maximum of once a week.
Tip
Coffee grounds also have the pleasant side effect that plants fertilized with them are less likely to be attacked by pests. This also applies to the boxwood moth – but with restrictions. In the event of a severe infestation, only the powerful guns can help.
