Experienced gardeners are very well aware that to obtain large, tasty and healthy fruits and vegetables, the plants need a constant supply of essential nutrients. Instead of expensive commercial fertilizers, it is much more recommended to use a simple, natural and free fertilizer, obtained right from your kitchen.
Jim Competti, gardening expert and co-founder of the “I Grow Tomatoes” project, has revealed that one of the most effective fertilizers for tomatoes is coffee grounds, simply because it contains the essential nutrients that the plant needs during the growth period: nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
He explained that coffee grounds can be used not only at planting, but throughout the entire growing season, as they are full of vital nutrients that tomato plants need to grow healthy and productive.
How to make liquid tomato fertilizer at home
One of the most effective ways to use coffee grounds is to turn them into a fertilizing liquid. The procedure is simple: after you have brewed your coffee, save the leftover grounds. You can reuse the weak grounds to make a nutrient-rich liquid.
“After you make an initial pot of coffee, all that remains are the weak grounds. If you simply run an additional pot of water through the maker, just like that, you have a perfect, all-purpose fertilising tea,” explained the expert.
This “tea” is left to cool and diluted with water in equal proportions, after which it can be used to water plants. Nutrients are thus absorbed quickly, helping plants to grow vigorously.
How to apply the coffee grounds
Coffee grounds can also be applied directly to the soil. It is recommended to sprinkle a few tablespoons around the base of each tomato plant every three to four weeks to ensure a constant supply of nutrients, especially at watering times or after rain.
“Every three to four weeks, sprinkle on a few tablespoons around the base of each tomato plant. This helps to provide plants with a low and steady stream of nutrients every time it rains or you water,” added Jim Competti.
Nutrition and natural protection
Coffee grounds are not only an effective fertilizer, but also a natural barrier against harmful attacks, without resorting to expensive and environmentally hazardous chemicals.
In addition to providing essential nutrients, coffee grounds also have a protective effect on plants. They keep harmful pests such as slugs away, providing an environmentally friendly and economical solution for protecting the garden.
Savings and sustainability
Using coffee grounds to fertilize tomatoes is an ideal solution for enjoying a productive garden without spending a lot of money on chemical fertilizers. It is an old practice, used by entire generations, which proves to be more relevant than ever in the context of sustainable agriculture and care for nature.
By applying this simple fertilizer, you can completely transform your tomato harvest, obtaining larger, tastier and healthier fruits, without investing in expensive products.