Innovations

Step 1: Find and remove the bean (that's me!) from the top of the packaging lid.

Step 2: Soak me in water for 24 hours.

Step 3: Plant me in damp sand (or vermiculite), draining any excess water.

Step 4: Once I germinate, carefully remove me from the sand and plant me in a 1.25cm deep hole in loam rich soil. Added manure and bone meal will make me extra happy (If you’re stuck then a light, porous soil will do). Place me flat side down and cover me with soil - but don’t press down too firmly, please. Placing mulched grass temporarily on top will help preserve moisture until I’ve fully germinated.

Step 5: Water me daily, but not too much or too little. I don’t want to die. A good rule is to keep the soil well drained but moist at all times.

Step 6: Now watch me grow.

First cut each capsule into smaller pieces. This will enable micro-organisms to get to work and begin breaking down the coffee grounds and capsules, which will generate the heat required to kickstart the process. The more micro-organisms the better so give your compost a helping hand by adding more organic household waste such as food leftovers. Even rabbit food, corn starch and sawdust can help things along.
Depending on the quality of your compost, it can take 4 to 12 months for the capsules to fully break down but rest assured, nature is doing her thing.
Alternatively you can send your used capsules to our partner, Santokom. They are experts in recycling and composting, and will compost the capsules for you. www.santokom.ch