Advantages of utilizing espresso grounds within the backyard

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A. I’ve a longstanding behavior of saving used espresso grounds, letting them dry out a bit, and scattering them thinly round and below the blueberries, rhododendrons and different shrubs that want an acidic soil. The espresso grounds are acidic. They’re additionally a supply of nitrogen for the crops.

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I’ve heard of gardeners utilizing the grounds as a scented repellent to discourage raccoons from raiding bush fruits. I’ve by no means used the grounds for that objective, nevertheless it is likely to be value attempting.

As a result of espresso grounds are inclined to cake over in water-repellent mode, and change into mouldy when laid thickly on the bottom, it’s at all times finest to scatter them thinly or scratch them into the soil. Espresso grounds are a superb addition to compost heaps as effectively.

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Q. Within the container backyard on my deck I’ve thriving compact rhododendrons and even fruiting crops like blueberries, however I’m puzzled by a really wholesome hydrangea that has produced flower clusters in a muddy pinkish-purple as an alternative of the vivid blue they’re alleged to be. Is there something I can do to start returning the blooms to the color I need?

A. Substances that may acidify the soil will flip the flowers blue. Mostly advisable is aluminum sulphate, however powdered sulphur may be sprinkled on the soil and scratched in to start the acidification course of. Apply the sulphur away from the plant’s stems and nearer to the pot rim.

Different acidic supplies, comparable to used espresso grounds, could be scratched in to the soil in modest quantities at a time to assist acidify the soil.

For those who fertilize your rhododendrons with a product particularly for acid-loving flowering crops (rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias), use that, however apply it to container crops extra sparingly than is advisable for crops rising in open backyard areas.