9 Easy Hacks for Using Coffee Grounds to Improve Your Garden
Your morning cup of coffee can do more than wake you up—it can help your garden thrive!
Coffee grounds are a fantastic, eco-friendly resource that can be used in various ways to improve soil, feed plants, and keep pests at bay.
In this guide, we share 9 of the best hacks on how to use coffee grounds in your garden, helping you create a more sustainable and healthy environment for your plants.
Add Coffee to Compost
Adding coffee grounds to your compost pile is a simple yet effective way to enrich your soil. These grounds bring valuable nitrogen to the mix, making your compost more nutrient-dense.
You can toss in both the grounds and the paper filters—they decompose quickly. Remember, coffee grounds are considered a green compost material, so you’ll want to balance them with brown materials like leaves or sawdust to ensure your compost breaks down smoothly.
With the right balance, your compost will stay odor-free and healthy.
Fertilize with Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds make an excellent fertilizer for garden soil. Their high nitrogen content provides nourishment for plants while also improving soil drainage and aeration.
You only need a small amount—sprinkle a handful around the base of your plants and gently mix it into the soil. For a liquid fertilizer, soak the grounds in water overnight and use a watering can to apply this nutrient-rich mixture.
You’ll be surprised at how well your garden responds to this simple addition.
Use Coffee as Cat Repellent
If local cats are using your garden as their personal litter box, coffee grounds might be your answer. Cats are not fond of the strong scent, and scattering used grounds around your garden can keep them at bay.
If you need extra protection, build a perimeter of coffee grounds to intensify the smell, making your garden an unappealing spot for curious felines. You only need to do this occasionally to maintain a cat-free garden.
Adjust Soil pH with Coffee
For plants that prefer acidic soil, fresh coffee grounds can help boost the pH levels. Fresh grounds, unlike used ones, retain their acidity, which is beneficial for plants like blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons.
You can mix the grounds deep into the soil, about 8 inches down, and monitor the pH levels with a test kit. This natural method offers a simple way to help acid-loving plants thrive without relying on chemical additives.
Grow Mushrooms Using Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are a surprisingly great substrate for growing mushrooms. Since the grounds have already been sterilized by hot water, they offer an ideal environment for mushroom spores to develop.
Mix the grounds with boiled straw and mushroom spawns, then seal them in an airtight bag with small holes. Store the bag in a dark, humid spot, and in a few weeks, mushrooms will start to sprout from the holes.
Once they begin to grow, keep misting them daily until they’re ready to harvest.
Coffee Grounds as Lawn Fertilizer
Coffee grounds can even benefit your lawn by acting as a natural fertilizer. For large areas, turning the grounds into a liquid fertilizer is more efficient.
Mix two cups of used coffee grounds with five gallons of water and let the mixture steep overnight. The next day, pour it over your lawn using a watering can or spray bottle.
This simple step can help nourish your grass and promote a lush, green appearance.
Suppress Weeds with Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can be an effective tool in combating weeds. By mixing them into the soil, you can create an environment that makes it harder for invasive plants to take root.
In some cases, coffee grounds may also reduce the likelihood of fungal growth, offering a double benefit for your garden. Whether or not they eliminate every weed, the grounds improve soil quality and boost nitrogen levels, giving your plants the nourishment they need.
Repel Snails and Slugs
If you’ve been struggling with snails and slugs in your garden, coffee grounds offer a natural solution. The gritty texture or leftover caffeine may irritate these pests, keeping them away from your plants.
Scatter a light layer of grounds around the base of your plants, or create a coffee ground barrier along the edge of your garden to deter these slimy intruders. It’s an eco-friendly and affordable way to protect your plants from damage.
Mulch with Used Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can also enhance your mulch by boosting nitrogen levels in the soil. It’s important not to use them alone, as they can form a barrier that blocks water and air from reaching plant roots.
Instead, blend the coffee grounds with your existing mulch before spreading the mixture around your plants. The deep, rich color of the grounds also adds visual contrast to your garden, complementing the vibrant hues of your flowers and greenery.
