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If you’ve had fig trees for a while, you’ve probably heard or realized that fig trees don’t need a lot of fertilizer.
You can easily grow a healthy fig tree without lifting a finger to fertilize it.
Giving it more fertilizer than it needs can actually be more harmful than going without fertilizer.
A fig tree that has received too much fertilizer is more susceptible to damage from the elements.
Plus, it will produce less fruit, grow less, and generally look unhealthy. However, that doesn’t mean you should never fertilize your fig tree.
Instead, he emphasizes the need to be moderate. Fertilizers, when used correctly, can promote healthy tree growth and increase fruit production.
To avoid breaks and cracks in trunks and branches due to excess manure, we tell you how you can use manure.
We’ll also explain why coffee grounds can be good for your fig trees and other possible fertilizing options.
Contents
Is ground coffee good for fig trees?
Before discussing the suitability of coffee grounds as a fertilizer, let’s first discuss how often you should fertilize trees.
Ideally, you should do this when the tree begins to show signs of nutrient deficiency. These include pale leaves and stunted growth.
Once you have ruled out other possible causes, you can fertilize the plant.
Also, you may need to use more fertilizer than other gardeners due to the environment the tree is growing in.
For example, a fig tree growing in sandy soil will likely need more fertilizer than a fig tree growing in rich, well-drained soil.
In such a case, once a year should be enough to counter the loss of nutrients. If your plant is surrounded by other plants competing for nutrients, it may need an annual booster.
feed his fig tree
Now, how often should you fertilize your tree? It is best to spread out the feed to avoid giving too much nitrogen at once.
Trees between one and two years old can use up to an ounce of fertilizer per month. You should do this as soon as new leaves appear, as this will speed up their growth.
At the end of the growing season, reduce fertilizers. Older trees can handle more nutrients, and you can give them a third of a pound of fertilizer during active growing months.
Before fertilizing your trees, remember to watch for signs of over-fertilization.
These include fruit not ripening properly, branches breaking, and the tree looking sick.
Although these signs could be due to other causes, such as being underwater, they should not be ignored.
First try to assess the issues and find out what could be causing the problems.
For example, if the tree is under water, you can schedule and water the amount.
Do this for each problem and see if the tree improves. If not, malnutrition may be the problem and you can go ahead and add more fertilizer.
Direct the fertilizer towards the roots of the trees, making sure to leave at least one foot between the base of the tree and the fertilizer.
The root zone is in this zone and the roots will be able to absorb nutrients and use them for the well-being of the tree.
When you water the fertilizer, it seeps into the soil and reaches the roots. Over time, the results of your feeding should begin to show and the tree will show better health.
If you like this article, check out our article on How to get rid of midges on plants using coffee grounds.
So, are coffee grounds good for fig trees?
Instead of using traditional commercial fertilizers, some gardeners rely on using coffee grounds. Is it a good idea?
Think of it like this. Most people start their day with a steaming cup of coffee. Your coffee grounds go in the trash, and that’s it.
With millions of people emptying their coffee grounds into trash cans, one can’t help but wonder if those coffee grounds can do so much more.
This is one of the reasons why organic gardeners use coffee grounds and other natural fertilizers.
They are good for the plant, the environment in general and your wallet. In addition, its acidity can be beneficial for your plant.
However, keep in mind that acidity only works for acid-loving plants. Using coffee grounds on plants that prefer a higher pH can harm them.
Too high acidity can also damage the roots of the plant. Here’s another benefit of using coffee grounds for your fig trees, they are high in nitrogen, a key component of most commercial fertilizers.
They contain about 1.45% nitrogen, which may be just the little boost you need to get your fig in good shape.
Are there any risks associated with using coffee grounds for your fig trees? Yes, they can retain more moisture. It’s good that your tree has access to adequate moisture.
It eliminates the need for a strict watering schedule and keeps the tree healthy. On the other hand, it can set the stage for mold growth.
When root rot is later discovered, you may not be able to save your plant.
Second, there is a risk that plant growth will be reduced by creating an overly acidic environment.
Finally, there is the issue of drainage. Coffee grounds are solid and, if not in a composting environment, can clog drainage to the ground.
Instead of helping fig tree roots drain excess water, they can clog drainage holes and trap moisture.
Once mold begins to grow, it’s only a matter of time before the environment is no longer ideal for plant growth.
How do you know you’re overfeeding your fig? The plant will show you! Fig trees generally thrive in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.
If you go too close to the extremes, the plant will not be happy and it will be difficult to absorb nutrients from the soil.
Keeping the pH in the range of 6.5 to 7 can help prevent this. Note that coffee grounds generally have a content around 6.5 to 6.8, which should be excellent.
But if they have coffee with them, it can go down to around 5.2 and that’s too acidic for the plant.
A sign of too much acidity is yellowing of the leaves, which would be noticeable on a poorly nourished plant.
If plant roots are unable to absorb nutrients due to low pH, your plant appears malnourished. Additionally, you may also suffer from stunted growth.
Unfortunately, you may see this and think that the plant needs more fertilizer, causing you to add more coffee grounds. It will only make the situation worse.
That’s what you should do. Buy a soil meter and measure the pH of your soil. If it is above the 6.5 to 7 range or less, you will need to modify the floor.
You can move the plant and if this is not possible, you can buy alkaline drops and use them in the soil.
How to fertilize with ground coffee?
Keep in mind that while ground coffee can give your plant a boost, it lacks magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
They may contain small amounts of these nutrients, but not as significant as those found in commercial fertilizers.
However, soil may suffice for now until your plant needs something else.
First you need to make sure that the soil is free of sugar or cream. These components will only stimulate microbial growth, which will harm the plant.
You can then use the soil as you would any other fertilizer. Drop them into the soil around the base of the roots and water the plant.
Over time, the nutrients will seep into the soil and be taken up by the roots.
PS
For one- or two-year-old trees, fertilize the fig tree once a year. For trees above this age range, you can fertilize the fig during any growing season.
The amount used is not standard and will depend on your initial assessment of the tree.
Are eggshells good for fig trees?
It’s easy to focus on the plant’s nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium needs and forget about another important one: calcium†
Just as humans need calcium, your fig tree needs it too. Eggshells are high in calcium, and if you want an inexpensive yet convenient way to add more calcium to fig soil, here’s an idea!
It can also help balance the acidity of coffee grounds.
How to fertilize with eggshells
The process is quite simple. you have to crush egg shells into smaller pieces so they can break down more easily in the soil.
Parts take months to decompose. You may want to bury them in the ground in the fall.
Unlike the coffee grounds you leave on the ground, you have to work the pods into the ground. You can add more shells in the spring, being careful not to raise the soil pH too much.
For best results, mix eggshells with coffee grounds to give your plant the best of both worlds.
Eggshells help with aeration and offset the harmful effects of coffee grounds.
PS
For one- or two-year-old trees, fertilize the fig tree once a year. For trees above this age range, you can fertilize the fig during any growing season.
The amount used is not standard and will depend on your initial assessment of the tree.
What else can you fertilize your fig with?
If natural foods don’t work for you or your tree needs something stronger, you can use a store-bought fertilizer.
Choose options 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. These must be strong enough to promote tree growth without hindering healthy growth. Anything stronger than that can damage the tree.
Also use these natural solutions as you would traditional fertilizers. Be careful with them though and use smaller amounts at first to warm your plant up for beginners.
Before you go, here are some more related articles that I encourage you to read below to help you solve more of your gardening problems:
How to maintain your coffee tree with brown leaves?
Why does your fiddle leaf fig tree have multiple stems?
How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on a Fiddleleaf Fig Tree
Happy gardening!