Warmer weather and brighter days bring with them an important task: gardening. As the summer months approach, it’s important to take good care of our outdoor spaces. One surprising but beneficial way to improve the growth of olive trees is by sprinkling coffee grounds around them.
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the UK, with reports estimating that more than 12 million litres of coffee are consumed every morning. Instead of throwing away your used coffee grounds, why not reuse them on your plants? These types of organic waste can improve the soil and promote plant health.
Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients that plants, such as olive trees, need to grow. These elements, including nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, are key to plant health and contribute to healthy foliage, strong roots, and improved flowering or fruiting.
According to Plantura, adding a small amount of coffee grounds to the soil will release the nitrogen into the olive tree. However, if gardeners want to fertilise their olive trees with coffee grounds, they can add crushed shells to increase the soil’s pH.
Olive trees are generally considered low-maintenance due to their drought tolerance and ability to thrive in different climates. Still, they require some care, such as regular watering, protection from extreme cold, and occasional pruning.
During the winter months, it’s crucial that the root ball doesn’t dry out completely. During the spring and summer months, when temperatures are much higher, they need to be watered regularly to thrive, especially young trees where the root system hasn’t fully developed.
Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean region and prefer temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. In the UK, it can be quite challenging due to the country’s climate, but it’s not impossible.
Instead of applying coffee grounds directly to the soil, it’s best to mix them with compost or another organic material. It’s recommended to use about one to two cups per square metre of soil.
Monitoring soil health and adjusting when needed will help gardeners avoid negative effects such as over-fertilisation, compaction, or attracting unwanted pests, keeping the olive tree healthy for as long as possible.
By following these simple steps, gardeners can ensure that their garden spaces and olive trees will thrive during the spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons. It only takes the wastage from your morning coffee and a few minutes from your time.
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