Posted on: APR 27, 2021
Posted by: STOKES COFFEE
What is National Gardening Week about?
Gardening has inspired many of us Brits and a new generation of gardeners. The past-time not only allows people to have the experience of gardening but also gives them the opportunity to explore the beauty of nature. So, Gardening Week is all about bringing more awareness of the importance of nature, the value it brings and the positive impact it has on people.
The beauty of greenery has benefited so many people and for those who love gardening there are lots of different options involving plants, allowing people to create and reap the rewards from their own planting arrangements, home grown produce and more. Hence, National Gardening Week is all about getting everyone together to enjoy gardening.
Why not grow your own?
Why not jump on the National Gardening Week wagon and plant something of your choice in the comfort of your home? With these top 5 ways to re-use coffee grounds or tea bags, you can nurture your garden, or you can turn your kitchen windowsill into a herb forest! Either basil for pesto or oregano for Bolognese!
- Fertilize your garden. Using coffee grounds as a fertilizer is beneficial as it adds organic material to the soil, this improves drainage, water retention and aeration in the soil (source: Heather Rhodes, 2021). Used coffee grounds will also help micro-organisms which are beneficial to plant growth.
- Composting coffee grounds. Another great way to reuse coffee grounds is by composting them. This helps to add nitrogen to the compost pile. Keep in mind that by adding coffee grounds to the compost pile, the green compost material will need to be balanced with the addition of some brown compost material (source: Heather Rhodes, 2021).
- Keeping uninvited guests away. Coffee grounds are great for keeping slugs and snails away from plants. The caffeine in the coffee grounds is said to negatively affects pests as they avoid soil where coffee grounds are found.
- Use fresh coffee grounds for acid-loving plants. Coffee grounds are ideal for acid-loving plants because they help lower the pH (or raise the acid level) of the soil, making it balanced. However, this is only on unwashed coffee grounds that are fresh. Rinsed coffee grounds have a neutral pH and will not affect the acid levels of the soil. Some of the acid-loving plants include calamondin orange, melon ‘honey bun’, blueberries, raspberries, basil, garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme and many more.
- Use your old tea bags to add moisture and nitrogen to soil to help plants thrive – make sure they are bleach and plastic free though - like our Afternoon Tea Blend tea bags – perfect to keep you and your plants perfectly hydrated and refreshed!
Check out the green spaces you can visit in Lincoln around the castle area
The Lawn – is located close to the castle in uphill Lincoln (LN1 3BU). Around the area you can find many small businesses and a big open area full of lush greenery, beauty and history. We’ll give you a warm welcome when you visit our cosy and vibrant café at The Lawn, Stokes Tea & Coffee.
Liquorice Park - has been part of the Lincoln community since the 1998. You can find this astonishingly creative garden on Yarborough Road (LN1 1LE). Why not go on a stroll to find out more facts on the information boards you’ll find at the site.
West Common- Carholme Road - With excellent views of the Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln’s West Common (LN1 1QT) is an admirable grassy area and is home to nature and wildlife. You will see many locals playing outdoor sports and enjoying picnics with their loved ones here. On Carholme Road, you can also find Lincolnshire’s oldest Golf Club which was opened in 1909.
Make the most of your green spaces and use recycling to get the best from them. Why not check out our video (available on Facebook and Instagram) on how to turn your empty tea and coffee container into rustic planters.
