Coffee grounds in the soil of the fig tree: here’s what really happens

by Andrea
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Coffee grounds in fig tree soil can do wonders or harm, depending on how they are used. Find out what really happens when you add them to the soil.

Figs on the treeFigs on the tree
Coffee grounds in the soil of the fig tree: here’s what really happens

There are those who spread them around the trunk with a satisfied look, those who collect them religiously every morning and those who look at them with suspicion. THE coffee grounds in the soil of the fig tree have divided expert gardeners and Sunday enthusiasts for years. But what really happens when these brownish scraps touch the soil of our tree?

At first glance they look like gold for the garden: rich in nitrogenthey help retain moisture and make the soil “softer”. But be careful, because it’s not all that simple. The fig, a generous but certainly not banal plant, prefers well-drained soil, with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. And he hates stagnation. This is why pouring coffee grounds randomly risks being like putting pepper in dessert: it doesn’t take much to overdo it.

Why coffee grounds are good for you (but only in certain doses)

Imagine the ground as a large stomach. THE coffee groundsif used well, are like a shot of energy: they awaken the microfauna, make the roots more active and give a more airy structure to the soil. It’s a bit like shaking the earth, which “wakes up” and works better. But – because there is always a but – coffee is acid. And a lot. Using too much can lower the pH and create an unwelcome environment for the fig. Not only that: the grounds, if left on the surface in large quantities, tend to compact. They form a crust that blocks water, rather than facilitating it. And anyone who has ever tried to wet a stick of dried grounds knows how waterproof it can become.

Coffee groundsCoffee grounds

Better then go slowly. Mix them with other compost, spread them in small doses and, if possible, bury them a little. Like bitter cocoa in a cake: it’s there, but it can’t dominate the whole taste.

When to use them, how to distribute them and what to absolutely avoid

It’s not just a question of quantity. Also the tempo it is fundamental. Using coffee grounds in the middle of winter is like putting ice on a fire: useless, if not harmful. In cold and damp conditions, they can rot or worsen drainage. The fig tree suffers and does not thank.

Much better to wait for spring, or take advantage of the end of summer, when the tree is more “hungry” and the climate helps. A handful every two weeks, well dried, spread discreetly around the trunk (but without touching it too much) can make the difference. A light mulch on top will complete the job.

But be careful not to make classic mistakes:

  • Never fresh funds: moist, they attract molds like honey to bees.
  • No abundance: too much nitrogen burns, it does not nourish.
  • If the soil is already wet, forget it.
  • Always mix them: alone they are too concentrated.
  • Check the pH: if it’s already low, avoid it at all.

Ultimately it’s like dark chocolate: it’s good, but a bar a day isn’t a cure-all.

Coffee grounds and compostCoffee grounds and compost

Other uses of coffee grounds in the garden

It’s not just the fig tree that can make money. Coffee grounds, used wisely, are a small treasure for the rest of your home greenery too.

Many use them to ward off snails and ants: scattered around the plants, they act as a natural barrier. Others throw them directly into the compost, where they accelerate decomposition and “heat up” the process. Someone mixes them with the soil of the pots to make it lighter, perhaps by adding sand or coconut fibre.

And then there are the acidophilic plants: hydrangeas, azaleas, blueberries. They really like coffee. You just need to know who you’re dealing with and everything becomes simpler.

In short, not everything you throw away is useless. Coffee grounds can be the classic stroke of genius or the unforgivable mistake. It depends on how much you know your garden. And a healthy fig, as we know, never lies.

Photo © stock.adobe

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