Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tomato Plants?

Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tomato Plants is a question that does not have a straightforward answer.

The coffee grounds can aid tomato plants by providing nutrients like nitrogen and acidity to the soil. It is a very interesting fact that they also share common gene repertoires.

There are, however, issues with the remaining caffeine. Because caffeine is known to destroy beneficial bacteria and bugs, the safest method to use ground coffee is to allow them to break down in a compost pile first.

How do you feed tomato plants with coffee grounds? What are the nutrients found in coffee grounds, and what can the best way to use them? Or how to use the coffee grounds in your garden? So many questions and yet so important. 

Let’s dig in.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. Coffee Grounds and their Benefits to the Garden
2. How do I use Coffee Grounds in My Garden?
3. Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tomato Plants?
4. Are Coffee Grounds Acidic for the plants?
5. How to use Waste Coffee Grounds As a Tomato Plant Fertilizer?
6. How do you feed tomato plants with coffee grounds?
7. How often should I put coffee grounds on my tomato plants?

Coffee Grounds and their Benefits to the garden

The coffee grounds are valuable for their ability to acidify soils and disease control, enhance the development of plants, and improve soil tilth. 

Let’s begin with a few coffee grounds facts and their benefits to the garden:

• Coffee grounds are a source of approximately 2% nitrogen, 0.06% of phosphorus, and 0.6% potassium in volume. They are also called “NPK” They also contain a variety of micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, boron, iron, copper, and zinc.
• The nitrogen in coffee grounds is mostly in proteins (above 10%) and other organic molecules that are not accessible to plants until the soil microorganisms break down into simple Ions. In the end, the nitrogen found in coffee beans is gradually released because plants require it.
• The coffee grounds are pH neutral (6.5 to 6.8 pH).
• Coffee grounds are excellent compost feedstock with a carbon to nitrogen ratio between 20-24:1.
• The use of coffee grounds for amending mineral soils up to 35% in volume has been demonstrated to enhance soil structures in the short and long term and increase the availability of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and copper.
• The humic compounds, the leading organic component of soil (humus), are created by degrading the coffee grounds.
• Coffee grounds can help regulate soil temperatures and boost water retention.
• Some evidence suggests that coffee grounds in the garden can repel snails and slugs.
• Together with other soil sources of organic matter, the coffee grounds may bind pesticide residues, which prevents their spread to the environment.

What are the best ways to use coffee grounds in your landscaping or garden based on these facts?

How do I use Coffee Grounds in My Garden?

1. Distribute the ground coffee directly onto the soil. Plant them in the soil. If left to dry, they will keep water out like peat moss turns dry.
2. Spread the soil on it to be covered with foliage mulch made of bark or compost.
3. Include this compost by layering components using 1/3 of leaves, 1/3 grass clippings, and 1/3 coffee grounds.
4. You can add Coffee grounds to the static compost pile. Always add comparable carbon sources. To act as a carbon source, you can add a coffee filter from paper in the compost pile. Cut them into smaller pieces to speed up the process of decomposition. Mix it all together thoroughly.

Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tomato Plants?

Waste Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper. You will need them if you want a healthy tomato plant. Because tomato plants favor the slightly more acidic pH in soils of 6.0-6.8 and coffee grounds have a 6.5-6.8pH, they make an excellent combination.

Here are the many ways that coffee grounds can help your tomato plant’s soil:

• Enhance and enrich the amount of the nutrients in the soil 
• Neutral pH, which is perfect for the tomato plant
• Sustain soil temperature (140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit)
• They increase the water retention
• Reduces harmful fungi and repels snails and slugs
• Improves germination
• The growth rate will increase
• It helps to promote the activity of earthworms
• Organic insecticides and natural ingredients
• Reduces the number of weeds

Because nitrogen and phosphorus are two of the three primary plant nutrients (the other is potassium), coffee grounds are excellent for fertilizing tomato plants. While nitrogen levels fluctuate, it’s usually the essential nutrient present in coffee grounds. Note that their NPK ratio has to be around 2-0.3-0.2.

How Coffee Grounds Prevent Fungal Diseases?

The fungal disease is one that every tomato farmer wants to stay clear of. In the case of severe cases, like Fusarium, it will be the end of your garden because there is, unfortunately, no cure.

In an attempt to stop the spread of fungal diseases on tomato plants, Coffee grounds are frequently recommended as a treatment.

Some studies have looked into the impact of coffee grounds on soil and fungal activity. Certain studies have found that caffeine is linked to suppressing different fungal strains and the presence of cinnamates and alkaloids. However, the problem of slugs comes back – the level of caffeine must be higher than the amount that coffee grounds can provide, the equivalent of 0.1 percent in this instance.

Incorporating coffee grounds into your soil mix before plantation isn’t likely to cause harm, but don’t believe that it will prevent or eradicate any fungal diseases.

Do Coffee Grounds Repel Snails and Slugs?

Slugs and snails are a widespread problem in tomato gardens. It has resulted in creating a myriad of solutions that have all been proven successful in the battle against snails and slugs.

The reason for this is the caffeine content in coffee. Research has proven that Slugs and Snails die due to large amounts of caffeine.

The study used high-concentrated caffeine on the leaves and the plant’s soil. The study confirmed that 1 to 2 percent of caffeine would kill Slugs and Snails. 

However, coffee grounds are a source of very little caffeine that is not likely to affect snails or slugs.

The minimal threshold for caffeine content used in the test, which didn’t impact the snails of 0.01 percent, is still more than the caffeine content (3.59 to 8.09 mg/g of spent coffee).

Also, if you’re suffering from a snail or slug issue, you’ll have to find solutions outside of the coffee cup.

How does caffeine repel slugs and snails?

Caffeine is an alkaloid that acts as a stimulant for human beings. Alkaloids are typically the derivatives of amino acids, and many alkaloids possess a bitter taste. Caffeine can be found in bean leaves, fruits, and leaves of more than 60 different plants in which it functions as a naturally-produced pesticide that kills and paralyzes certain insects that feed on the plants.

How Coffee Grounds Reduce the Number of Weeds?

Like the argument about mulch, coffee grounds are frequently considered a tool for killing weeds.

To successfully control weeds, you require a thick layer of mulch, which can be described as not ideal for plants.

The reasoning also stems from the notion that coffee grounds could hinder the growth of certain seeds, which include weeds. Studies have shown that this applies to certain weeds, such as clover. However, its impacts on a variety of weed seeds remain unclear.

The amount required to control weeds is also unclear to prevent seedlings or act as mulch. It is better to use approved methods for weed suppression and then remove weeds as they begin to emerge.

Are Coffee Grounds Acidic for the plants?

First of all, tomatoes are fruits, not vegetables. And second, they are acidic. Thus, it’s not a surprise that they prefer acidic soil. The perfect pH in soil for tomato plants is 6.0-6.8pH , and in other sources, between 6.2 to 6.8pH.

While the neutral pH is 7.0. 

There are many types of research regarding the pH of coffee grounds, but they do not give us a solid conclusion. In simple terms, waste coffee grounds are acidic. However, the majority of the acid is removed by brewing. That means that the coffee grounds are only moderately acidic pH, which is 6.5-6.8. Because the pH of coffee grounds is within those that tomato plants require, they are an ideal soil amendment.

Yet, pH levels can alter over time in soil. Because of this, it’s recommended to examine the soil’s pH every few months.

Note that some studies have shown different pH levels in coffee grounds – 3.63 to 5.57pH, 5.4pH, 6.5 to 6.8 pH. The pH of the decomposing coffee grounds isn’t constant and one shouldn’t expect that it will always or even ever, be acidic.

How to use Waste Coffee Grounds As a Tomato Plant Fertilizer?

Coffee grounds may be added directly to the soil, mixing it with the one-half-inch mulch layer or composting it. Too many coffee grounds could cause problems such as stopping air and water from entering the soil. Additionally, it can cause mold.

There are a few methods to apply coffee grounds as compost or as a soil amendment to tomatoes:

1. Apply directly to the soil
2. Mulch the coffee grounds
3. Vermicomposting method
4. Compost it

Apply the coffee grounds directly to the soil

There are a few ways to use the coffee grounds directly in the soil.

Ground coffee can be incorporated directly into the soil before plant growth. However, researchers recommend adding nitrogen fertilizer to the soil simultaneously. Coffee grounds stimulate the development of microbes within the soil, which utilize nitrogen to reproduce and grow. As the microbes break down the grounds, fertilizer’s nitrogen can provide nutrients to plants.

Another way to use the coffee ground is to sprinkle it onto the lawn to raise the amount of nutrients! Sprinklers or rain let the nutrients soak into your lawn.

You can also create a coffee ground liquid fertilizer: 

1. Add 2 cups of coffee grounds to a 5-gallon bucket. 
2. Allow it to brew for a couple of hours or overnight. 
3. Use the liquid fertilizer for the garden, yard, or pot plants.

Mulch the coffee grounds

Use no more than one-half an inch worth of ground coffee before applying fresh coffee grounds directly onto the soil as mulch. Coffee grounds being extremely finely textured and easy to compact, thick layers of coffee grounds used as mulch could serve as a barrier against air and moisture movement in soils. Spread them in an even layer if you’re using coffee grounds to help as a “dressing” for specific plants or trees. Or incorporate them into the surface of the soil.

Vermicomposting of coffee grounds

Vermicomposting (composting with worms) can be an excellent option to handle large or even small amounts of coffee grounds and various kitchen scraps. If you are using coffee grounds, make sure you give your worms a balanced diet consisting of leaf or paper shredded and kitchen waste to allow them to use the coffee grounds with no difficulties. If you retain living composters, begin anything new in moderation, and ensure your employees enjoy their coffee.

How to Compost the coffee grounds?

If you choose to compost, then use between 10% to 20% of the volume of coffee ground in a compost heap. Exceeding these percentages can harm the compost, for example, preventing the compost pile from heating enough to begin decomposing. 

Coffee grounds typically contain pH levels that range from moderately acidic to alkaline. As coffee grounds break down, their pH levels are neutralized. Sawdust and leaves are excellent ingredients to mix with coffee grounds to make the compost pile.

Whatever method you decide to use, the most important rule of thumb is to don’t allow the grounds of coffee (or compost) to get into the tomato plants directly. This is because coffee grounds and compost may cause mold growth, and their excessive levels of nutrients may cause chemical burns to the plant. The same goes for mulch. You must leave at minimum 2 inches of space between the stem and lower leaves.

The procedure you’ll need to follow for applying coffee grounds to your tomato plant is largely down to the amount of coffee grounds you’re using.

How do you feed tomato plants with coffee grounds?

If coffee grounds are doing the trick on your tomato plants, this is a good thing, and you must learn to make use of it efficiently since this will keep the tomatoes from becoming rotten. Coffee grounds are better for acid-loving plants.

Using a huge amount of coffee grounds on the soil’s surface will prevent air and moisture from getting to the soil. The two most effective methods to do this are to spread the coffee grounds by mixing them in with the 1-2 inches that are compost or mulch first. Using this technique isn’t a problem as long as your coffee grounds are adequately separated through the mulch and not getting clumped up in huge quantities.

However, if you’re taking the safe route and then adding your coffee grounds to your compost heap, be aware that they will be fully broken down after about a month. Then, you can add your compost to your tomato’s soil in a 1-inch layer.

If you are adding coffee grounds to your compost, be sure to follow the rules:

1. The coffee grounds can’t exceed 20% of the total compost. For the standard compost pile, that’s not more than 650 cups of ground coffee.
2. Give them a minimum of 2 months to break down before applying them to your garden.
3. When using the compost, make sure that it doesn’t touch the plant’s roots or stem.

Coffee grounds are lovely for composting and soil, but they are not too over the top of a good thing. Like all other things, utilize coffee grounds with caution. Their nitrogen levels are high, and caffeine may cause an imbalance in the compost or soil in the event of excessive use. 

How often should I put coffee grounds on my tomato plants?

You can use the coffee grounds to fertilize tomato plants when you want to grow them. Most plants will require fertilizer during the growing season, right before they begin to fruit. However, any time can indeed be suitable for tomato plants.

If you have a limited amount of coffee grounds, you can fertilize the tomatoes when you first plant them. After that, 1-2 times a month until ripe. Be sure to test the soil’s pH regularly to determine if it is getting too acidic.