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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners warned not to use 'cheap drink' on hydrangeas and roses
Gardeners have been warned not to use 'instant coffee granules' on hydrangeas and roses after a woman asked for advice on the popular household scrap item Gardeners are buzzing over a household scrap that could spell the end for disappointing hydrangea and rose blooms. Coffee grounds, long considered waste, have been hailed as green gold among the gardening community for helping to deliver massive bursts of blossoms that are universally adored. For plant lovers seeking that extra flourish, Luci Nunes turned to social media for advice, posting on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group: "Hi can anyone clear a doubt for me please? Someone has said to use coffee grounds to get nice blooms from hydrangeas and roses and to get blue hydrangeas. Can I use instant coffee granules?" Rapid responses piled up in the comment section, but the consensus was a resounding no, especially considering the specificity of coffee type. Eileen Austin added her input, stating firmly: "No. It needs to be ground coffee. A lot of coffee shops give away the spent grounds, but not all." Meanwhile, Clare Wilson shared her unique method: "I use finished Tassimo pods and Dolce Gusto pods to keep getting bigger and better blooms from roses and hydrangeas. It keeps slugs and snails away from my plants too. "I empty them all into a container then yes just sprinkle around the base of plants. But until they dry out don't put a lid on the container or they go mouldy." Karen Davis wrote: "Only add used coffee grounds to your plants. I found that they turned my pink hydrangeas blue. I love it." The green-fingered pros at PlantIn note that coffee grounds are packed with minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Phosphorus and potassium are known to boost plant yields, while nitrogen plays a key role in photosynthesis, aiding plants to "grow faster". Additionally, coffee grounds possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that transfer essential nutrients to your garden. Unused, fresh coffee grounds can be too acidic, so they're not recommended for brewing, reports the Express. Being slightly acidic, coffee is a treat for acid-loving flora such as hydrangeas, along with nutrient-starved beauties like roses; however, moderation is the watchword for any individual plant's dosage.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners say kitchen staple is 'better than vinegar' for killing weeds
Green-fingered gardeners have discovered a hack that is "better" than white vinegar when it comes to zapping pesky gravel weeds - and it's likely to already be in your kitchen Keen gardeners have revealed the kitchen staple they say is "better" than white vinegar when it comes to banishing pesky gravel weeds. Gravel paths and driveways can be a real eyesore when weeds start to take over, turning a neat outdoor space into an unruly jungle. The struggle to remove these unwelcome guests is all too familiar for many gardeners, but fear not, as green-fingered enthusiasts have unearthed a hack that trumps white vinegar and promises to zap weeds "almost instantly". And the best part? This miracle solution is likely already in your kitchen. The ingenious tip was revealed by members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook, following a plea for help from one individual plagued by persistent weeds on their gravel drive. They posted: "I've seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing. I have a gravel-covered drive and can't seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths. "Would they work on the drive or is there something better? There are no other plants in the vicinity and it's not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future." Group members swiftly chimed in with their suggestions for the poster, and while many endorsed white vinegar and salt as effective solutions, they highlighted something even better - washing powder. One member shared: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." One person shared their success story, saying: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water." Another member praised the quick action of washing powder, stating: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly." For those who already use washing powder for their laundry, this solution is readily available at home, reports the Express. However, if you're more familiar with using pods or liquid detergent, you'll need to get your hands on some powdered form. This can be easily added to your shopping list during your regular supermarket visit, with prices starting from just £3. Gardening expert Tom Clifford from Gardenstone has previously shared a handy tip with Ideal Home for those looking to avoid harsh chemicals: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone. "Washing powder offers a softer option that shouldn't damage your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds. Plus, washing powder is a common household item, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers." It contains boron, a substance toxic to plants, which can be used as an effective weed killer. However, caution is advised as it can also harm desirable plants. To apply, simply sprinkle washing powder over the affected area and douse with boiling water.
