5 days Ago By Sarah Barltrop
With so many gardening hacks and tricks out there, it is hard to know which ones actually work. But one age-old trick has been hailed across dozens of gardener's blogs, forums and websites for its ability to nourish plants, which will help gardens bloom. Gardeners are being encouraged to use the nutrient-dense ingredient this spring as it could help maintain soil quality, improve soil structure and retain water, according to Lilydale Instant Lawn .
It added that coffee grounds contain nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are "vital for grass health", but it isn't as simple as pouring it on the soil because each plant can react differently, so it is best used in compost. Gardeners' World wrote: "The moist, small particles of coffee grounds are certainly an excellent compost ingredient because of their texture, to mix with dry and woody waste to speed the composting process." Good compost needs a mix of wet and dry ingredients, so you could even pour the watery coffee dregs on top to help add a bit of moisture.
Users on a Reddit gardening thread agreed, saying: "I get bags of the stuff from a local cafe to add to my compost but I wouldn't apply it direct," to which another user replied, "This is the way. Compost worms LOVE used coffee grinds." Lilydale Instant Lawn also shared that sprinkling coffee grounds isn't just for spring, because when it is used in winter, it can help maintain soil quality and prepare your grass for a "robust spring growth".
Gardeners' World added that coffee tends to be slightly acidic, meaning it is good for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, and nutrient-hungry plants like roses, but urged for it to be used in moderation. However, dog owners should take caution because caffeine can be dangerous for their pets, so it shouldn't be used in borders where dogs usually burrow. Coffee shops and some supermarkets with coffee machines, such as Waitrose, give shoppers free coffee grounds to take home.
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