Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tomatoes?

Coffee grounds are an excellent amendment for the soil and can be used as a slow-release fertilizer for tomatoes. Learn more about the benefits of using coffee grounds in your garden.

Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tomatoes?

Coffee grounds are a great addition to any garden, especially when it comes to tomatoes. Containing about 2% nitrogen, as well as varying amounts of phosphorus and potassium, coffee grounds are an excellent slow-release fertilizer for tomatoes. Not only do they provide essential nutrients for the growth of tomato plants, but they also repel insects and slugs. However, it is important to note that not all plants are able to tolerate coffee grounds and that they should be used in moderation.

Coffee grounds contain many nutrients and minerals key to plant growth and have recently become a popular choice for gardeners. They can be used as a fertilizer, mulch, or pest control. When used as a fertilizer, coffee grounds should be mixed into the soil beneath tomato plants in order to introduce the necessary nutrients for their growth. It is recommended to use around 20% ground coffee in your compost mix, as anything above 30% has been shown to inhibit decomposition. Due to its acidity, coffee grounds will help make tomatoes beautiful colors by strengthening them.

To do this, you need to spread the coffee grounds at the foot of the tomatoes. Coffee grounds can also help prevent severe cases such as Fusarium wilt, which can otherwise mark the end of your tomato garden. It is important to note that while coffee grounds can give tomato plants a small boost of nutrients in the long term, the concentration of those nutrients is unlikely to have a visible effect on plants compared to other organic fertilizers. Additionally, although tomatoes like acidic soil, it seems that coffee grounds are not the way to get there. In conclusion, coffee grounds are an excellent amendment for the soil and can be used as a slow-release fertilizer for tomatoes. They provide essential nutrients for the growth of tomato plants and also repel insects and slugs.

However, it is important to use them in moderation and not all plants are able to tolerate them.

Glenna Matthys
Glenna Matthys

Hardcore internet practitioner. Wannabe beer advocate. Infuriatingly humble beer expert. Devoted coffee evangelist. Hardcore social media scholar. Friendly beer fanatic.