Coffee Grounds in the Garden

Composting is one of the best ways to make excellent soil for a garden, but it is not necessarily easy to do. Composting takes time and space. There are many benefits to using organic fertilizers and mulch, aside from the obvious benefit of creating less landfill. However, if space or time is a concern, compost is not out of the question. Coffee grounds can be used as a daily spread around particular plants or over the entire garden. There is no need to mix the coffee sediment with other compost before adding to the soil. It can be dispersed in a thin layer over the soil without the need for any preparation or waiting.

Caffeine to Kill Slugs

Adding a little caffeine to soil is effective in warding off slugs. Although adding the remains of a cup of java is not sufficient caffeine to actually kill slugs, it will drive them away from the area. To end the life of slugs completely, it is recommended to have a 2% solution of caffeine, which is stronger than what is found in most commercial brands of chemicals intended to get rid the harmful pests. However, caffeine levels as low as .01% have been shown to reduce the number of slugs and to deter them from eating plants.

Worms Love Coffee

Creating a vermiculture set-up is easy enough and a great alternative to an outdoor compost heap. Worms digest compostable remains, and in turn, create rich, dark soil excellent for gardening. And worms love coffee remains; they thrive on coffee grounds. It is interesting to note that putting coffee grounds directly onto the garden causes slightly more acidic soil, but when cycled by worms, the soil produced is pH neutral. Thus, if the plants being treated with coffee grounds prefer acidic soil, put coffee grounds directly onto the soil around the plant. Alternately, if the plants being treated prefer pH balanced soil, then make sure the dregs are composted properly first.

Sustainable Gardening

Rather than dumping good organic leftovers like coffee grounds or tea leaves into the bin, consider the alternative of using those items as quick fertilizers. Collect coffee grounds and tea leaves in a sealable container during the week and then spread them over the garden. Another option is to spread the grounds daily rather than storing the remains over the week.

The Odor of Decomposing Coffee

Keep in mind that spreading too thick a layer of coffee grounds may lead to a strong odor of decomposing coffee, which is not nearly as appealing of the scent of a fresh-brewing pot of Joe. As well, moist coffee grounds, if spread too thickly, have a tendency to develop mold. Do not spread the organic material too thickly. If attempting to add a large amount of coffee grounds to soil, try mixing it with the top layer of soil to prevent mold and harsh odors.

Coffee grounds are an excellent, simple organic fertilizer that require little to no preparation and can be used in most gardens. They can even be used to encourage happy worm development and ward of pesky slugs.