How to use coffee grounds in your garden

Spring has arrived; the season of fresh blooms, longer days, and if you’re anything like us, an ever-growing mound of used coffee grounds. But before you unceremoniously chuck them in the bin, halt! If you’d never considered combining coffee grounds and gardening, those little remnants of your morning brew aren’t just soggy leftovers; they’re natural fertiliser, compost booster, and pest deterrent, all rolled into one glorious scoop.

So, if you’ve ever found yourself whispering into your cappuccino froth, “Are coffee grounds good for the garden?”, the answer is a caffeinated and resounding yes. Here’s how to transform your used grounds into garden gold.

The benefits of coffee grounds for the garden

1. A natural fertiliser

Coffee grounds come generously packed with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, basically the holy trinity of plant food. When you sprinkle them on the soil or mix them into your compost pile, you’re helping improve drainage, boost water retention, and enhance aeration. In short? Your plants will absolutely thrive.

2. A compost powerhouse

Adding coffee grounds to your compost is like tossing in a secret weapon. They kickstart decomposition, bring in the beneficial microbes, and balance out your veggie scraps and garden waste. The result? Nutrient-rich compost that turns average gardens into blooming wonderlands.

3. A natural pest repellent

Turns out, slugs, snails, and ants aren’t fans of your morning brew. The strong aroma of coffee grounds for the garden acts as a natural deterrent. Simply sprinkle a ring of grounds around your more delicate plants and let your caffeinated forcefield do the talking.

4. Improves soil structure

The texture of coffee grounds, coarse, crumbly, delightful to the touch, improves soil structure and helps retain the right amount of moisture while letting the roots breathe easy. Particularly splendid for clay-heavy soils, which can be clingy if left to their own devices. Coffee grounds work as compost because of the moisture they provide!

How to Use Coffee Grounds for the Garden

1. Mix into soil

Rather than piling them on like an overzealous barista with whipped cream, gently mix your coffee grounds into the soil. This stops clumping and allows for better nutrient absorption.

2. Add to compost

Give your compost heap a lively jolt by blending coffee grounds with fruit and vegetable scraps, grass clippings, and dry leaves. It’s like a gourmet recipe for worms.

3. Use as mulch

Lightly sprinkle a thin layer of grounds around your plants to help retain moisture and keep pests at bay. Don’t get carried away, too much can make the soil too acidic, and your plants may raise an eyebrow.

4. Feed acid-loving plants

Plants with a taste for the tang, such as blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas, will be thrilled with a dose of grounds. The mild acidity of coffee gives them just the boost they need.

Sustainability in every sip

At York Emporium, we firmly believe great coffee should never come at the planet’s expense. From ethically sourced beans to recyclable packaging, we’re on a mission to reduce waste wherever we can, including making sure your coffee grounds have a life after latte.

So, next time you brew a cup, don’t toss those grounds in the bin. Remember: they’re not rubbish, they’re coffee compost!