How to Use Coffee Grounds in Your Garden to Benefit the Plants & Soil

Many gardeners believe that using coffee grounds in the garden can be helpful, and there seems to be something to that claim. Those who drink coffee a lot know that they have to dispose of the leftovers every once in a while, and that can be done in a way that improves the quality of the soil in their garden.

Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer

Coffee grounds can be used to nurture plants and soil, and it’s of the latest sustainable garden ideas that’s been gaining traction. So, how can people use coffee grounds in the garden, and how are they good for the plants and soil quality?

The first benefit is fertilization. Coffee grounds are a great plant fertilizer and imbue the soil with nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These allow plants to grow healthier and improve their blooming potential. The coffee grounds can be spread in the soil in several ways, like being incorporated into worm and compost bins or left on top of the soil.

Coffee Grounds as Mulch

Many people use mulching, and there’s a way to do that using coffee grounds. Simply applying it directly as mulch around acid-loving plants is enough. This includes plants like blueberries, roses, azaleas, and more.

Mixing the grounds into the soil will also improve soil structure and drainage, but the method shouldn’t be overused because not every plant likes the acidity. Using the coffee grounds on the border soil of established plants is a good way to ensure the acidity won’t spread over to other plants.

Coffee Grounds as Pest Control

Another way to apply coffee grounds in the garden is to use it for pest control. It can keep ants, snails, and slugs away, which is better than using heavy chemicals. Coffee grounds act as a deterrent for slugs and snails due to the rough texture irritating their bodies. It’s not just the texture, but the actual caffeine content may also have a toxic effect on them.

Still, the grounds won’t be enough to deter the snails and snugs forever. It should be used with other types of traps and barriers. The grounds also have to be applied regularly to be used as effective pest control. The best way to apply coffee grounds is to leave them to compost first and reduce their acidity. This makes them break down and suitable for a wide range of plants. The grounds can also create a water-restricting barrier, which should be avoided.