Roses are quite vulnerable in autumn as many are still growing flowers, and they can easily become damaged or not grow properly if you do not deal with slugs eating them. Slugs tend to be a big problem in autumn as they thrive in rainy weather and fallen leaves can give them more places to take shelter in a garden.
It is crucial to get rid of any slugs feasting on roses as these can cut open the shoots which will stop them being able to harden and go dormant in winter. This increases the risk of frost damage, which can weaken the plant and cause it to struggle with flowering in the spring. Luckily Angelo, an expert from Deep Green Permaculture has shared it is really easy to keep slugs away from eating away as roses, as you simply need to sprinkle used up coffee ground around your garden.
Angelo said: “Since caffeine is toxic to slugs and snails, it can be used as a barrier can deter them from crossing treated areas, and as a means of eliminating them after they come in contact with it.”
Coffee grounds are acidic and abrasive, which can deter slugs by irritating their bodies and drying them out, making them less likely to crawl over it.
Caffeine is also known to affect slugs’ nervous system if they absorb it through their skin, and can damage or even kill them in high concentrations.
However, roses love coffee grounds as it can act as a natural fertiliser to give them a small boost of nitrogen, which will help keep their foliage healthy as it prepares for winter dormancy.
It will also attract earthworms that will aerate the soil, which can help keep roots healthy during the colder weather.
Using coffee grounds is a simple yet very effective way to keep slugs out of your garden as well as strengthen roses so they will grow bigger flowers once spring arrives next year.
How to use coffee grounds to stop slugs eating roses
All you need to do is collect coffee grounds from your morning drink, or see if any local coffee shops give them to gardeners for free in your area.
It is incredibly important to only use leftover coffee grounds as they are quite potent, and need to be diluted in water before using them otherwise they can overfertilise the soil.
Then, simply mix one part coffee grounds with three parts water. Leave the solution to sit for at least 24 hours. If you wish, you can then stain the coffee grounds out of the liquid as you just need the water to keep slugs away.
Pour the coffee-infused water into a watering can and then water the soil around rose plant or where you have spotted roses in the past. Apply after it has rained or every few weeks, and slugs should stop munching on your roses for the rest of the year.