Hydrangeas can be a stunning addition to any summer garden, but they can be finicky when it comes to flowering. One common issue is a lack of nutrients, but instead of breaking the bank on commercial fertilisers, you can give your hydrangeas a boost with used coffee grounds.
According to a gardening expert and founder of Hydrangea Love, the acidity and nutrients in coffee grounds can work wonders for hydrangea blooms and overall plant health. She explained: “Using coffee grounds for hydrangea plants offers several benefits that can enhance their growth and vibrancy. Coffee grounds are rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, which is crucial for healthy foliage.
“Additionally, they help improve soil structure and drainage, promoting root health. The slightly acidic nature of coffee grounds can also influence the soil pH, which is particularly beneficial for hydrangeas as it can help in achieving their characteristic blue blooms.”
The nitrogen in coffee can help improve photosynthesis in hydrangeas, leading to faster growth and bigger blooms, reports the Express.
As an added bonus, coffee grounds can also serve as a natural pest deterrent, keeping slugs at bay with their pungent smell.
Store the coffee grounds in a container and once you’re ready to use them on your hydrangea, ensure they are completely dried out.
Spread the coffee grounds on a baking tray and let them air dry for a day or two before using them in your garden. The gardener explained: “This prevents mould growth and makes them easier to handle.”
Once the coffee grounds have dried out, spread them evenly in a thin layer around the soil of a hydrangea plant.
Be careful not to over-apply coffee as hydrangeas only require about one cup per plant for optimal growth, and they should be fed just once a month throughout the summer to reap the benefits.
You can also incorporate coffee grounds into a compost pile or transform them into a liquid fertiliser to boost hydrangea flowers.
The gardening expert advised: “Soak about a cup of used coffee grounds in five gallons of water for a week, stirring occasionally. Use this nutrient-rich solution to water your hydrangeas.”
Utilising coffee grounds during the summer months is an economical and environmentally friendly method to encourage larger blooms on your hydrangeas.
However, it’s crucial not to overdo the coffee application, as hydrangeas thrive with just one cup per plant, and a monthly feed during the summer is sufficient to see improvements.
The gardener cautioned: “After incorporating coffee grounds, keep an eye on your hydrangeas for any signs of distress, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth.
“These symptoms could indicate an imbalance in soil nutrients. If necessary, adjust the amount or frequency of coffee ground application.”
