How to Use Coffee Grounds In Your Garden



Most people would assume that used coffee grounds are very acidic, but tests on the pH of this natural fertilizer shows that they are only mildly acidic. These used grounds therefore make a good "side-dressing" to many plants because as they decompose they tend to return to a near neutral pH. This means your plants get an added boost of nutrients right away, and then they will slow down over time making your plants ready to be re-fertilized.  

Now fresh, un-brewed coffee grounds are more acidic than their brewed version. Because of this, they can be used slightly different in your garden. If you're growing things that don't mind the extra boost of acidity, then apply new grounds.

Once you determine whether you want to apply "a little" or "a lot" of acidity via your coffee grounds you're ready to start using this readily available fertilizer in your garden. 



Blueberries absolutely thrive in acidic soil. The most optimal pH level for blueberries is around 4.5 to 5.1. If the soil has a pH above 5.1, you'll want to acidify the soil for your blueberry bushes. To use your coffee grounds as sheet mulch, simply dump them around the base of your plants and rake them out to a fine layer. If you get the layer too thick, you can count on it getting moldy.   

Try letting your grounds sit for about 3 days before adding them into your worm bins or compost. The high nitrogen content in coffee grounds make for good worm food, but try to not overdo it. Limit the amount of grounds you add for a successful compost, especially when worms are involved. 



If slugs are getting the best of your tender young leaves inside of your vegetable garden, try placing some used coffee grounds as a barrier on top of the soil around your plants. The rough grounds will scratch their little bodies making it uncomfortable for them to find their way onto your young and fragile new plants. 



Most vegetables tend to grow better in soil that falls near a neutral or near-neutral soil pH.  Some of your most favorite vegetables and herbs will adapt when growing in acidic soil, however there are some that actually prefer slightly acidic soil.

If you want to amend your soil and slightly improve the acidity for these varieties to thrive, try mixing in a small amount of fresh, (un-used) coffee grounds into the soil around these "acid-loving" plants. (Tomatoes, Marigolds, Dill, Endive,  Spinach, Parsnips, Garlic, Parsley, Rutabagas, Turnips, Peppers (HOT) & (Sweet), Carrots, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, and Squash.)

More ways to use coffee grounds in your garden:

-Mix 1/2 pound of coffee grounds with 5 gallons of water to make for an instant liquid fertilizer for your grass or lawn.

-Use small amounts to help suppress fungal rot or wilt, such as Fusarium, Pythium, and Sclerotinia species.
 
-Make a "tea" out of the used grounds to use as a spray to repel insects and caterpillars. 

-Spread around the base of your azaleas, hydrangeas, roses and lilies.

-Use grounds to suppress weeds in your garden. 

-Grounds typically work well as a natural deterrent for pests such as cats and rabbits. 


**DISCLAIMER: When using coffee grounds ALWAYS apply fresh grounds, in small amounts FIRST to avoid any issues.**


Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published

BECOME A BRAND AMBASSADOR! Join the affiliate team

Earn a 25% commission from every sale you refer. Learn More ◆ Affiate Program Registration

Already have an affiliate account?
Login/Affiliate Dashboard

FEATURED POSTS

VIEW ALL BLOG POSTS
Your Guide to Gardening Through all 4 Seasons

Your Guide to Gardening Through all 4 Seasons

As the weather becomes consistently cold (in late October and early November, in the upper Midwest), you can work at preparing your garden for winter. There are several aspects to winter preparation.
How to Deal with Squash Bugs

How to Deal with Squash Bugs

Squash bugs can destroy crops and are quite the nuisance. Check your squash plants daily for signs of squash bugs and their eggs.   What to look...
How to Save 🍅 Tomato Seeds

How to Save 🍅 Tomato Seeds

There are several ways that you can save your heirloom tomato seeds, but here are two of the most popular techniques.  Fermentation Method: Choos...
How To Tell When 🍆 Eggplant Is Ripe

How To Tell When 🍆 Eggplant Is Ripe

Eggplant is a versatile fruit often used in Italian dishes such as ratatouille, caponata, and lasagna. Eggplant easily absorbs the flavors of wh...
Start these NOW for a fall garden!

Start these NOW for a fall garden!

Summer will soon be over but having a thriving vegetable garden doesn't have to end when summer does. With a little bit of planning, and p...
How Many Plants a 12″ Container?

How Many Plants a 12″ Container?

Here is a suggested number of plants that will grow successfully in a 12″ container. It would be a waste of money and time to start more seeds...
Why Won't My Root Veggies Grow?

Why Won't My Root Veggies Grow?

You’ve put in all the work, planted your root veggies with care and all season you’ve been eyeing their gorgeous leafy green tops and waited with a...
Seed Planting & Spacing Guide (printable)

Seed Planting & Spacing Guide (printable)

← GO BACK TO GROW GUIDES Here is a cheat sheet you can save to reference all of the planting and spacing specs for each of your seeds. Click on the...

SHOP OUR ENTIRE SEED CATALOG

Browse through hundreds of different varieties

📙 SEED CATALOG {A - Z}
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

ENTER THE SEED SHOP ❱

YOU RECENTLY VIEWED