Gardening Tip: When to Use Coffee Grounds

When gardening, coffee grounds can be a very effective tool. Coffee grounds can be added to the soil around almost any plant in moderation. Whether to use grounds in your garden can depend on where you live. Acid loving plants really enjoy the grounds, however recent research has debated that grounds are actually pH balanced. More research is needed. They can also be added to your compost pile. Using coffee grounds in your garden may have other unexpected benefits!

Acid loving plants include hydrangeas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and roses. Other plants that are likely to enjoy their own dose of coffee are tomatoes, lettuces, raspberries and azaleas.

If you live in an area that already has acidic soil, you should avoid using coffee grounds. Too much acid in the soil will kill your garden! Use it in your compost rather than adding it directly to your plants, and use a lower ratio of coffee. Even using 10% coffee grounds in your compost will help increase the nitrogen levels and the other compost items will even the pH level out.

When you add coffee grounds to your compost pile, they can effectively balance your compost against other items such as leaves, paper, sawdust and other garden debris. It is not a good idea to use cardboard or newsprint in your compost pile if you can prevent it. These materials are treated with chemicals and could potentially damage your plants. Coffee grounds are considered a green source of nitrogen. Use up to 25% coffee grounds in your compost, and don't forget to throw that used filter in too!

Unexpected benefits of using coffee grounds include repelling pests such as ants, slugs and snails. The grounds will also encourage worms to frequent your soil, which can only improve your garden! Using coffee grounds and orange peels in your garden will discourage cats from using your garden for their home away from home litter box.

Where can you find used coffee grounds? If you can't beat the rush to get the used grounds at Starbucks, try another local coffee shop. If there is a Peet's coffee in your area, you can ask them to save the grounds for you. Also, put an empty coffee can near the pot at home or work and let everyone know that you're collecting the grounds.

Using coffee grounds in your garden not only helps your plants, it helps the environment. Keeping the grounds out of the landfill is not only earth friendly, it's just smart.

Sources:
http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=793

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/sa_coffeegrounds.html