As a horticulture student I mainly studied crops and cultivation techniques. It fascinates me how many diverse plants can grow from small, nearly identical seeds. Favourite fruit: blueberries, grapes, raspberries, pears Favourite vegetables: mushrooms, peppers, kohlrabi, onions, garlic
To grow and to produce as much fruit as possible, strawberries need nutrients. Learn all about which fertilisers to use and when to feed strawberries to increase your harvest.
You cannot beat the lovely, sweet flavour of strawberries (Fragaria) grown in your very own garden. Providing your strawberries with the nutrients they require is the key to a successful harvest of large, juicy berries. Read on for all of our tips on which fertiliser to use as well as when and how often to feed your strawberry plants.
Coffee grounds have become a popular natural fertilizer for gardens, but do strawberry plants actually benefit from having coffee grounds added to their soil? Let’s take a closer look at the effects of using coffee grounds on strawberry plants.
Why Coffee Grounds Work As Fertilizer
Coffee grounds contain a number of key nutrients that make them an effective fertilizer for plants
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Nitrogen – This is crucial for healthy leaf growth and plant vigor Coffee grounds are approximately 2% nitrogen,
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Phosphorous – Important for fruit and flower production as well as root growth There’s about 0,3% phosphorus in used coffee grounds,
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Potassium – Supports overall plant health and fruit development. Around 0.2% of coffee grounds consist of potassium.
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Magnesium and calcium – Help plants absorb nutrients and contribute to plant metabolism. There are trace amounts of these minerals in coffee grounds.
In addition to key nutrients, coffee grounds can also improve soil structure. The grounds help aerate the soil and retain moisture. Their texture gives beneficial organisms like earthworms something to grab onto.
The grounds even supply organic matter, which enriches the soil as it breaks down.
Are Coffee Grounds Good for Strawberries Specifically?
Given their nutritional content, coffee grounds seem like an ideal fertilizer for strawberries.
Strawberries thrive when provided with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. The plants also appreciate soil that retains moisture and allows space for air circulation.
There are a couple other reasons why coffee grounds work well for strawberries:
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Acidity – Coffee grounds lower soil pH, creating the slightly acidic soil strawberries prefer. Ideal pH for strawberries falls between 5.5 and 6.5.
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Pest deterrent – The caffeine in coffee grounds can help deter slugs, snails and other slimy critters that damage strawberry plants.
How to Apply Coffee Grounds to Strawberries
Used coffee grounds can be worked into the soil around strawberry plants. Here are some effective application methods:
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Mix grounds into compost that will be spread around plants. Composting first allows the nutrients to break down into plant-available forms.
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Lightly sprinkle grounds in beds and gardens. Apply a fine layer no more than 0.5 inches deep to prevent forming a barrier. Water well after application to wash the grounds into the soil.
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Dig grounds directly into the soil around each plant. This targets delivery of nutrients right to the root zone.
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Create “coffee ground tea” by soaking grounds in water for a day or two. Use the resulting liquid fertilizer to water plants.
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Side-dress plants by sprinkling a line of grounds along sides of beds. Do this when plants start flowering and fruiting to provide an extra nutrient boost.
Tips for Using Coffee Grounds on Strawberries
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Moderation is key – too many coffee grounds can stunt plants. Stick to a 0.5 inch layer spread over the soil surface.
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Integrate the grounds into beds before planting rather than dumping on established plants.
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Reapply used grounds 2-3 times per growing season for continued fertilization.
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Alternate coffee grounds with balanced organic fertilizers to provide a complete nutritional regimen.
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Avoid using coffee grounds from coffee pots containing flavored coffee or other additives.
The Effects of Coffee Grounds on Strawberries
Research and gardener experience confirm that applying used coffee grounds positively impacts strawberry plants in several ways:
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Increased growth – The nitrogen in coffee grounds promotes lush, healthy foliage. Plants may produce runners and daughter plants more vigorously.
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Earlier flowering – The phosphorus boost from coffee grounds encourages quick bloom set. This can mean ripe, red strawberries several weeks sooner.
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Improved fruit yields – With more abundant flowers and proper nutrition, coffee-ground fed plants generate higher strawberry yields.
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Bigger berries – Potassium from coffee grounds helps strawberries fully fill out to maximize size.
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Enhanced flavor – There are indications the complexity of flavor compounds in strawberries increases.
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Pest resistance – Healthier plants are less vulnerable to pests. Coffee’s caffeine compound also helps deter slugs and snails.
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Disease resistance – Improved vigor from proper nutrition helps fight off fungal and bacterial rots.
Optimal Use of Coffee Grounds on Strawberries
While coffee grounds can clearly boost strawberry growth and fruiting, more isn’t necessarily better. Here are some tips for optimal use:
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Test soil pH first. Only add grounds if pH needs to be lowered into strawberry-preferred range.
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Mix grounds into beds before planting. Added later, sprinkle just a thin layer and water in well.
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During growing season, side-dress lightly around plants every 2-3 months.
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Alternate coffee grounds with well-balanced organic fertilizer. Don’t rely on grounds alone.
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Watch plants for signs of nitrogen toxicity like excessive foliage. Cut back on applications if this occurs.
The Bottom Line
In most gardens, used coffee grounds serve as an excellent nutritional supplement for strawberry plants. The acidic pH and pest-deterring abilities are added bonuses. While grounds alone won’t provide complete nutrition, their cost-free availability makes them a smart addition to fertilization regimens. Follow best practices for application rates and timing to avoid creating imbalances. With the right approach, spent coffee grounds can take your strawberry harvest to the next level.
You want to know who’s behind Plantura?
As a horticulture student I mainly studied crops and cultivation techniques. It fascinates me how many diverse plants can grow from small, nearly identical seeds. Favourite fruit: blueberries, grapes, raspberries, pears Favourite vegetables: mushrooms, peppers, kohlrabi, onions, garlic
To grow and to produce as much fruit as possible, strawberries need nutrients. Learn all about which fertilisers to use and when to feed strawberries to increase your harvest.
You cannot beat the lovely, sweet flavour of strawberries (Fragaria) grown in your very own garden. Providing your strawberries with the nutrients they require is the key to a successful harvest of large, juicy berries. Read on for all of our tips on which fertiliser to use as well as when and how often to feed your strawberry plants.
Feeding strawberries naturally
Natural fertilisers such as leaf humus or bark compost encourage soil life and improve soil structure over time. They have proven to be particularly effective for feeding strawberries in autumn. Natural slow-release fertilisers or horn manure are also suitable for feeding strawberries.
Using tomato feed for strawberries is also an option. Our Plantura Tomato Food, which supplies tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) with all the nutrients they need, is a great choice for strawberries too. It consists primarily of organic plant matter that is slowly decomposed by soil microorganisms. Its high potassium and phosphorus content helps strawberry plants to flower and produce fruit. Its nitrogen content encourages plant growth and leaf formation.
To help you supply your strawberries with the ideal amount of nutrients, we have prepared a fertilisation guide for you to follow:
Summary: When and how much to feed your strawberries
- Before planting: work 60 – 110 g/m² (5 – 9 tablespoons) of our Plantura Tomato Food into the topsoil
- Water the soil and plants to activate the fertiliser granules
- In the autumn following the harvest and in spring, give each plant 40 – 70 g of fertiliser (3 – 5 heaped tablespoons)
Best Strawberry Fertilizers! – Garden Quickie Episode 139
FAQ
Can you put coffee grounds around strawberries?
If you want to fertilize your strawberries with coffee grounds, you should dry them well first. Otherwise, you run the risk of mold forming in the soil.Feb 17, 2025
Do you just sprinkle coffee grounds around plants?
Used Coffee Grounds are GREAT for your plants, don’t throw it away! Add it to your compost pile filter and all, or even sprinkle the grounds directly into the garden to help plants grow like crazy. Its loaded with nitrogen, with a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 20:1, the same as manure.
Is Epsom salt good for strawberry plants?
Epsom salt is perfectly fine to use around strawberries, as well as other plants. Epsom salt provides magnesium. Table salt is another matter. It will kill plants. Sorry for the loss of your plants. We’ve all been there. Gardening is a “live and learn” process. Don’t give up.
What is the best food for strawberry plants?
Feeding. In early spring, feed strawberry plants growing in the ground with a high potassium general fertiliser, such as Vitax Q4 or blood, fish and bonemeal. Scatter half a handful per square metre/yard around the plants.
Are coffee grounds good for strawberries?
Coffee grounds are a popular home remedy for improving the health and productivity of strawberry plants. They are rich in nutrients that can benefit strawberries, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Coffee grounds also contain beneficial microbes that can help to improve soil health and suppress plant diseases.
Can You Add coffee grounds to a strawberry plant?
Luckily for us all, coffee grounds are quite easy to add to your soil. As a general rule of thumb, when adding coffee grounds to your soil, your strawberry plants should be sitting in 25% coffee grounds and 75% nutrient-rich soil. To obtain this, add 1 cup of new or used coffee grounds for every 3 to 4 cups of soil.
Can strawberries grow in coffee soil?
Some of the strawberry types that have been known to thrive in coffee-rich soil include Alpine, Alexandria, and Honeoye. So, if you’re looking to give your strawberries a little help, it’s always best to do a bit of research on your particular type of strawberry before adding coffee grounds to your soil.
How much coffee grounds do you need for a strawberry plant?
A good rule of thumb is to use about 25% coffee grounds and 75% soil. This will give your plants the benefits of coffee grounds without overdoing it. Potted strawberry plants have limited amounts of soil versus their garden counterparts, so you’ll want to keep an eye on the pH level. Test your soil every few months and adjust accordingly.
What plants like coffee grounds?
It’s not only about strawberries, there are actually many other plants that like coffee grounds. Other garden plants such as roses and hydrangeas also like coffee grounds.
Can you use coffee grounds to fertilize strawberries?
Or you can take your gardening game to the next level by making a liquid coffee ground fertilizer! It’s super simple – all you have to do is mix two cups of used coffee grounds with five gallons of water, let it steep overnight, and then pour it over your strawberries.