Roses get their first flush of flowers in late May to early June so now is the time to make sure they are being fertilised properly. In late spring, roses are focusing on growing their stems and leaves to help support the buds which are now forming. 

It is incredibly important to ensure there is a good supply of nitrogen in the soil. The nutrient help support healthy foliage growth, so the plant can produce bigger flowers. Without enough nitrogen, roses will develop weak leaves and spindly stems, making it more likely to only get a few weak blooms. 

However, one gardening expert at the House of Terra have shared a simple and natural way to give roses a nitrogen boost is to use the leftover from your morning brew. 

The expert said: “One surprising item that is high in nitrogen and can work as a substitute in that respect is coffee grounds. Their key nutrient is nitrogen, necessary for healthy roses. The nitrogen is required in large volumes for stimulating the growth and development of brand-new leaves, stem and cane growth.”

Coffee grounds contain a lot of nitrogen but they also contain a little of the nutrients potassium and phosphorus which are also provide roses the nourishment they need to grow their flowers. 

Not only does coffee grounds give roses the nutrients it needs but it helps make the soil slightly acidic, which roses prefer for optimal blooming. 

One of the biggest reasons to feed roses coffee grounds is that their strong smell can be overwhelming for many pests that become more common in spring such as slugs and aphids. 

The expert said: “Coffee grounds, also leftover grinds can likewise be used of for gardening as they help maintain the unwanted parasites out of the garden. The grounds, consequently, serve as an alternative to pesticides which contain chemicals.”

Coffee grounds are a natural way to help roses flower and keep insects away without using chemicals or even having to spend a penny, but it is important to know how to use them in the garden. 

How to properly feed roses coffee grounds 

Coffee grounds are very beneficial but it should be noted you need to be careful with them since they are acidic. Natural fertilisers also tend to be more potent than synthetic ones. 

If roses are fed too much coffee, it can burn their roots and greatly damage them. You will need to dilute them first by adding them to your compost to create a mulch. 

The expert said: “Adding coffee grounds to your garden compost will make sure that there is an ideal mix of nitrogen and carbon in your compost. Use a layer of garden compost around roses, to subdue weed growth, improve the structure of the soil and boost drainage.” 

There is no need to dig up the soil and all you need to do is sprinkle the coffee ground compost two inches into the base around your roses and then give the soil good watering. 

Be careful not to add any of the compost around the stem of your roses as coffee grounds can hold a lot of water, which can keep the soil hydrated but too much moisture can lead to rot. 

You only need to feed roses coffee once during their growing season as this simple supplement will help you grow bigger and more vibrant flowers later in just a few weeks time.