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Keep This Shade-Loving Shrub Fed With An Item You Already Own
By KATHY BATES
If you're growing Japanese pieris, a shade-loving evergreen shrub, there is an affordable and eco-friendly way to feed it using something you already have at home: coffee grounds.
Also known as Japanese andromeda or lily-of-the-valley shrub, this plant requires regular fertilizing and a soil pH of 5.1 to 6.0. Coffee grounds effectively address both needs.
To apply, spread a thin layer of unbrewed coffee grounds around the base of your shrub, then lightly work them into the topsoil. Next, cover the ground with organic mulch.
As the mulch breaks down, it not only enriches the soil with nitrogen and increases its acidity but also adds valuable organic matter, which is crucial for the health of the soil.
However, it is essential to use unbrewed coffee grounds for this treatment, as brewing depletes the acids that are vital for the growth and well-being of the Japanese pieris.