PUT YOUR GROUNDS IN THE GROUND!
How to Make Coffee Fertilizer
They say April showers bring May flowers, but sometimes, even with Mother Nature’s help, some sprouts have trouble growing. When this happens, the natural next step for many people is to give their precious plants a little fertilizer. But traditional chemically formulated fertilizers “[run] off into waterways or [get] broken down by microbes in the soil [and release] the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide into the atmosphere,” according to a report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. So, if you’re looking for a more natural way to help your plants grow, you can make your own fertilizer at home — with coffee grounds! This eco- friendly alternative uses cinnamon as a natural pesticide and club soda for extra macronutrients.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED •
Get Out and Ride THE BENEFITS OF RIDING A BIKE health. Riding a bike decreases blood pressure and lowers your resting heart rate. After a few rides, your heart will be stronger, reducing your risk for cardiovascular diseases. A recent study from Purdue University found that cycling for 20 miles a week reduces your risk of heart disease by 50%. It doesn’t matter if you ride indoors or outdoors; riding a bike will boost your cardiovascular health. WEIGHT LOSS Many of us are seeking new ways to lose weight. We might try a different diet or start an alternative exercise routine, but what if the key to shedding pounds and maintaining a healthy weight is easier than we make it out to be? Biking burns calories, and the faster you go, the more calories you burn. The average person burns between 450 to 750 calories per hour cycling, though this number varies depending on the rider’s weight and speed. The Mayo Clinic found that those who burn or cut 500 calories daily would likely lose 1 pound per week. REDUCED STRESS We all have stressors in our lives that cause us to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and of course, stress. Biking is a great way to reduce these feelings, especially if you get outside and ride through nature. Various studies have shown that biking improves our moods, promotes positive mental health, and even helps us sleep better at night. Then, once your grounds have been brewed, mix them in a bowl with cinnamon and club soda. When these ingredients are combined, it creates a solution full of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other minerals that plants love! Apply this coffee mixture directly to the soil of your plants every two weeks, ensuring you spread the fertilizer over the entire surrounding area to distribute the nutrients evenly. This mixture is excellent for indoor potted plants, outdoor plants, and even different bushes or shrubs. With this easy DIY fertilizer, you can reduce waste, help the environment, save money, and help your plants grow happier and healthier!
4-6 tbsp used coffee grounds
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1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup club soda
Your coffee grounds must have gone through a brew cycle to make them less acidic so they don’t harm your plants. You can save the needed amount of coffee grounds throughout the week (depending on whether you use single-cup machines or drip pots) or brew a pot using 4–6 tablespoons specifically to use for fertilizing.
If you read our cover article, you learned that May is National Bike Month. Whether you’re going out for a casual ride around the neighborhood or undergoing intensive training to prepare for a race, there’s never a wrong time to get on your bicycle and go. Biking is a great way to get in some exercise, and it provides many benefits to our mental and physical health.
Below are a few of the many benefits you’ll experience when riding a bike.
IMPROVED CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH Your heart is one of the most essential organs in your body. If your heart isn’t functioning properly, your overall well-being suffers. Thankfully, biking is one of the best activities for those looking to improve their cardiovascular
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