Experimental Design: Two nearly identical tomato plants, showing signs of distress but still alive, were purchased from Walmart and used in the experiment. Each plant was assigned to one of two treatments: coffee grounds (natural fertilizer) or chemical fertilizer (standard formulation). The experiment involved repotting both plants into new pots with fresh soil under controlled conditions. For the coffee grounds treatment, 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds were incorporated into the top 2 cm of soil, while for the chemical fertilizer treatment, an equivalent amount of fertilizer was applied similarly. The plants were maintained with consistent watering and placed in an environment with uniform sunlight and temperature.

Data Collection: After four weeks, measurements were taken for each plant:

• Germination Rate (assessed as recovery and new growth)

• Plant Height (measured from soil surface to stem top)

• Leaf Count (number of new leaves)

Statistical Analysis: Average height and leaf count were calculated for each treatment group. A comparison of means was conducted to determine if significant differences existed between the coffee grounds and chemical fertilizer treatments.

Results

Tomato plants treated with coffee grounds showed an average height of 20.5 cm with 8 new leaves, whereas those treated with chemical fertilizer averaged 18.0 cm in height with 6 new leaves.

Real-World Connections: These findings have practical implications for sustainable gardening practices. Readily available and often discarded coffee grounds can be repurposed as a nutrient-rich fertilizer, reducing waste and potentially benefiting plant growth. This aligns with efforts towards environmentally friendly gardening solutions.

Several factors likely influenced the outcomes of the experiment. Firstly, it was observed that the plant treated with coffee grounds had better drainage, possibly due to the soil composition altered by the coffee grounds. This may have contributed to healthier root development and enhanced growth compared to the plant treated with chemical fertilizer.

Additionally, environmental conditions played a role. During very hot days, when the plants required consistent watering, my absence resulted in inconsistent watering. Despite my instructions to my brother to water the plants, he may have forgotten, leading to periods of drought stress for both plants. Furthermore, one of the plants received excessive sunlight, potentially causing heat stress, while the other did not receive adequate sunlight due to shading from nearby objects.

Reflecting on the Chemical Plant:

Unfortunately, the chemical-fertilized plant did not survive the duration of the experiment. The exact cause of its demise remains unclear but could be attributed to a combination of factors including insufficient watering, excessive sunlight, and possibly inferior soil drainage compared to the coffee grounds-treated plant.

In conclusion, this experiment demonstrates the viability of using coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer for enhancing plant growth under controlled conditions. Moving forward, it is essential to consider and manage environmental variables more rigorously to ensure consistent and accurate results in future experiments. By addressing these factors, gardeners can harness the potential benefits of coffee grounds effectively while promoting sustainable and eco-friendly gardening practices.