When that morning cup(s) of coffee is finished, toss the grinds in a container and store them for your garden! Share that black gold with your plants! Using coffee grinds in your garden is another one of the simplest ways to add organic matter to your soil!
Why Grinds in Your Garden?
If one reviews the various blogs on coffee grinds they will find mixed thoughts on using them in the garden. Some will state grinds add acidity to the soil and should only be used with those plants that need acidity. Others feel used coffee grinds are neutral. I have tested used grinds in the garden for five years now. As a result, I agree that cooking the grinds has washed most of the acid out leaving them neutral; and, my plants do much better with a monthly dose.
If not Acid what?
Although there is disagreement on acid content, there is agreement by most that used grinds add organic matter to your garden. The texture of used coffee grinds is very rich and they break down over time acting as a slow release fertilizer and helping with soil movement and aeration. As they break down small amounts of nitrogen and potassium and other small amounts of natural matter is released. Not enough to stop using nitrogen based fertilizers; however, enough with consistency to act as a slow release source for your soil. In my personal opinion vegetables grow stronger and soil stays healthier when used grinds are regularly added.
How to use Coffee Grinds
- Gather used grinds as you empty your coffee pot. Empty them into a zip lock bag or plastic container and store them in the freezer adding to the container until full. Once full thaw out for use in the garden.
- Sprinkle your grinds in the beds and work it in with a trowel mixing them well into the top layer of soil.
- Doing this helps ensure grinds break down well into the garden soil. Too many grinds in one place without a good mixing can have the reverse effect on your soil, clumping up and stopping drainage.
- Coffee grinds and their used filters can also be added to your compost. Regardless of their color they are considered a green matter so ensure you mix them appropriately with your browns.
- Worms really love the grinds, the grittiness is good for them and they compost down the grinds well.
- Here is a quick vid!
Associated Content!
Oma's Favorites
From raised beds to garden boots, hats and everything in between below are some of the wonderful companies I'm happy to support. Each of these products can be found actively used in my everyday gardens. If you have any questions about how I use them just reach out. They have also graciously provided me a code in many cases that provides a discount if you choose to try them. In some cases I do make a small percentage for purchases you may make. In turn I'm able to offer these discounts and continue sharing tips for your own home gardens.
