How To Use Coffee Grounds In Your Garden

If you’re a coffee lover, you probably know that coffee grounds can be used for more than just making a delicious cup of coffee. Coffee grounds can actually be a great addition to your garden, as they contain nutrients that plants need to grow and thrive.

In this post, we’ll go over the benefits of using coffee grounds in your garden, how to use them, and answer some common questions about using coffee grounds as a fertilizer.

Benefits of using coffee grounds in your garden

There are many great benefits to using coffee grounds in your garden in several different ways from raising acidity for plants like blueberries to giving your backyard compost a boost. 

Coffee grounds are a great source of nitrogen

Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for plants, as it helps them grow healthy and strong. Coffee grounds contain around 2% nitrogen, which makes them a great source of this nutrient for your plants.

Coffee grounds can help improve soil texture

Coffee grounds are also a great addition to your soil because they can help improve its texture. When added to the soil, coffee grounds can help loosen it up, which makes it easier for water and air to reach the roots of your plants.

Coffee grounds can help repel pests

Believe it or not, coffee grounds can actually help repel pests in your garden. The caffeine in coffee is toxic to many insects, which means that adding coffee grounds to your garden can help keep them away.

You can place coffee grounds in your walkways around your garden beds to avoid making the PH of the soil too high while helping to keep unwanted insects out of your garden.

Coffee grounds can help attract earthworms

Earthworms are important for healthy soil, as they help aerate it and break down organic matter. Coffee grounds can help attract earthworms to your garden, which can help improve the overall health of your soil.

Adding coffee grounds to your worm farm is a great way to feed earthworms to raise the production levels so you can have plenty of earthworms for your garden, chickens, or fishing bait.

How to use coffee grounds in your garden

There are a few simple ways you can use coffee grounds in your garden. You can even use coffee grounds in places like your chicken coop for great odor-control bedding before you move them to your compost pile. 

Add coffee grounds directly to the soil

One of the easiest ways to use coffee grounds in your garden is to simply add them directly to the soil. You can either sprinkle them on top of the soil or dig them into the ground. Just be sure to mix them well with the soil, so that they don’t clump together and create a barrier that water and air can’t penetrate.

Use coffee grounds as a mulch

Coffee grounds can also be used as a mulch in your garden. Just spread a thin layer of coffee grounds around the base of your plants, being careful not to cover the stems or leaves. This will help keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing.

Make a coffee-ground compost tea

Another way to use coffee grounds in your garden is to make a coffee ground tea. Simply add 1 cup of coffee grounds to 1 gallon of water and let it steep for 24 hours. Then, strain the mixture and use the liquid to water your plants. This will provide them with a nutrient-rich drink that can help them grow strong and healthy.

Are coffee grounds acidic?

Yes, coffee grounds are slightly acidic, with a pH of around 6.5. This means that they can be a great addition to soil that is too alkaline, as they can help balance out the pH levels.

Can you use coffee grounds on all plants?

While coffee grounds can be a great addition to most plants, there are a few that don’t do well with them. Plants that prefer alkaline soil, like hydrangeas, may not do well with coffee grounds. Additionally, plants that are sensitive to caffeine, like some ferns and palms, should not be exposed to coffee grounds.

How often should you use coffee grounds in your garden?

It’s best to use coffee grounds sparingly in your garden, as too much can actually be harmful to your plants. Aim to use coffee grounds once a week or every other week, depending on the needs of your plants.

Can you use coffee grounds from flavored coffee?

Yes, you can use coffee grounds from flavored coffee in your garden, as long as the flavoring is natural and not artificial. However, it’s best to avoid using grounds from heavily flavored coffee, as they may contain additives that could harm your plants.

Can coffee grounds attract pests?

While coffee grounds can help repel some pests, they may also attract others, such as slugs and snails. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to mix coffee grounds with other materials, such as leaves or wood chips, to create a more balanced and diverse mulch.

Can you use coffee grounds in compost?

Yes, coffee grounds can be a great addition to your compost pile, as they are rich in nitrogen and can help speed up the decomposition process. Just be sure to mix them with other compost materials, such as leaves and grass clippings, to create a well-balanced compost.

How to get coffee grounds for your garden

There are several ways to get coffee grounds for your garden:

Collect them from your own coffee maker: If you brew coffee at home, you can collect the used coffee grounds and save them for your garden. Simply store the grounds in a container until you are ready to use them. You can get a coffee ground waste bin for your coffee station to make collecting used coffee grounds easy.

Ask your local coffee shop: Many coffee shops will gladly give away their used coffee grounds to customers who want them for their gardens. Just ask the barista if they have any available.

Check with your local composting program: Some cities and towns have composting programs that collect food scraps and other organic materials from residents. These programs often offer free compost or mulch to residents, which may include coffee grounds.

Purchase coffee grounds: If you don’t drink coffee or don’t have access to used coffee grounds, you can also purchase them from garden centers, online retailers, or specialty stores that sell organic gardening products. Some farm stores like Rural King offer a coffee ground animal bedding you can use for your garden.

Using coffee grounds in your garden can be a great way to provide your plants with the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. Whether you choose to add them directly to the soil, use them as a mulch, or make a coffee ground tea, there are many ways to incorporate coffee grounds into your gardening routine. Just be sure to use them sparingly, mix them with other materials, and avoid using them on plants that may be sensitive to caffeine or prefer alkaline soil. With a little bit of care and attention, coffee grounds can be a great addition to any garden.