Wait! Don’t throw those coffee grounds away! Did you know the leftover grounds from your morning brew can do wonders for your garden? Today we share three ways that coffee grounds boost plant health.
Add grounds to your compost
First and foremost, composting your grounds keeps them from ending up in a landfill, but they’re also rich in nitrogen which promotes the growth of helpful aerobic bacteria. Coffee filters (make sure they’re compostable) can balance out the green matter in your compost for a more balanced mixture.
Fertilize your garden
If you’re not composting at home yet (check out this guide to get started), you can use your grounds straight from the filter as well. The grounds contain nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus which help plants thrive. Occasionally sprinkle them around the base of plants or soak used grounds in water and use that to hydrate your plants. Be careful not to over fertilize!
Keep pests away
Pests like snails and slugs have a difficult time maneuvering across coarse grounds, so you can sprinkle them at the base of plants to form a pest barrier. Cats are also deterred by the scent of coffee, so the grounds can keep your furry companions from using your garden bed as a litter box
Who knew your kitchen waste could do such wonders for your garden? If you don’t drink coffee, just ask a neighbor to collect their grounds for you or get some from your local coffee shop.
