Tomatoes are very hungry plants in spring gardens, so it is essential that they receive the right nutrients now in order to thrive.
Katherine McPhillips and Nicola Roy Spare Time writer
11:35, 08 Apr 2026Updated 11:35, 08 Apr 2026
Tomatoes need proper nutrients to grow properly(Image: HUIZENG HU via Getty Images)
Tomatoes are demanding plants during their early growth phase in spring gardens, making it vital they get the proper nutrients now to thrive.
In April, tomatoes concentrate on developing the main stem that will eventually need to support heavy fruits.
Without proper feeding, the stems become thinner and more fragile, meaning they won’t store enough energy to produce large, juicy tomatoes in summer.
However, Shane Genziuk, an expert and founder of Ground to Ground, has revealed there’s an incredibly straightforward method to boost tomato stem growth that won’t cost you anything, reports the Express.
Shane explained: “You can get lush and beautiful tomato plants using all-natural ingredients found at home. Namely, coffee grounds.”
“Used coffee grounds make some of the best fertiliser around. Containing nutrients that support healthy plants, acids and nitrogen, the soil will become the perfect habitat for this lovely red fruit.”
A simple way to give tomatoes the nitrogen they need is with used up coffee grounds(Image: Getty)
Your tomatoes can benefit from the remnants of your morning coffee, as coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, the essential nutrient needed for foliage development.
Coffee grounds will also help create mildly acidic soil conditions, creating a more suitable environment for growing strong tomatoes.
But one of the main advantages of coffee grounds is their function as a natural pest deterrent, as their potent, bitter aroma and acidic nature are known for keeping slugs away from your tomatoes. Shane said: “It will also repel insects and slugs, which are usually very attracted to the promise of a juicy tomato to burrow into. The only critter it will attract is the worm, and you want those living in your soil.”
Tomatoes will grow bigger if you feed the right nurtrients for their stems to grow in spring(Image: Getty)
How to feed tomato plants with coffee grounds
As with most things in life, too much of a good thing can be harmful, and the same principle applies when using natural fertilisers on plants, as they tend to be considerably stronger than synthetic alternatives.
Adding excessive coffee grounds can over-fertilise tomatoes, causing a nitrogen overload, which results in excessive foliage growth and not enough fruit. This leads to lopsided tomatoes with extraordinarily thick stems that ultimately give very little fruit throughout the summer months.
Instead, you should use between half a cup and one cup of used coffee grounds per tomato plant to provide the necessary nutrients. It’s far better to be careful and add a smaller amount than to overdo it.
Shane said: “If you are seeing an effect but not as much as you would like, you can always add in more coffee grounds and adjust over time. The condition of your soil, the climate, the size of the plants and other factors can interfere.”
Simply scatter the coffee grounds around the base of each tomato plant, ensuring you leave a gap around the stem, and work the grounds into the topsoil. Afterwards, water the tomatoes once the coffee grounds have been applied, as this helps incorporate them into the soil and nourish the roots.
Coffee grounds only need to be applied once a month during spring, as they act as a slow-release fertiliser, continuing to nourish your tomatoes throughout their growing season.
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