How do you use coffee grinds in the garden?
Home » Blog » Zoe Carafice » How do you use coffee grinds in the garden?Email your gardening questions to editor@good.net.nz and every question answered in Good or on Zoe's blog will receive a fab prize from Tui Garden Products!
Q: Wild Bean Cafe at the local BP station is giving away bags of coffee grinds to be used in the garden as a fertiliser. The bags have a warning on them to consult the gardening expert before using the grinds. Could you please tell me what is the use of coffee grinds in the garden and how to use them correctly.
–Magdalena
A: There is a long list of uses for coffee grinds in the garden! Coffee grinds are particularly rich in nitrogen and contain some other important minerals which plants love. They can be sprinkled directly onto the soil around plants once or twice a year or mixed in with good bark mulch. An added benefit is that after rain you’ll enjoy the aroma of fresh coffee in your garden!
You can also add coffee grinds to your compost bin and you can brew a 'tea' which can be used as a liquid feed for plants by soaking coffee grinds in a covered barrel or bucket of water for a week or so. Try scattering the grinds around your veggie garden to deter slugs and snails – they hate the grittiness. It has also been said that coffee grinds sprinkled around the outside of your house will keep the ants away.
Most cafés will happily give you a bag of used coffee grinds so this is a great free resource for gardeners to make use of.
–Zoe Carafice
Magdalena has won a bag of Rose Food from Tui Garden Products.
Tui Rose Food is a blend of nutrients formulated to protect and enhance the establishment and growth of healthy roses.
It will benefit any flowering plants due to the high potassium level. Potassium promotes large, vibrant, healthy blooms and the addition of iron deepens colour.
Meet Good's new gardening expert
Zoe Carafice is a landscape designer and photographer. She won gold at the Ellerslie Flower Show in 2007 and has a keen interest in sustainable design and organic gardening.
Email your gardening questions to editor@good.net.nz and every question answered in Good or on Zoe's blog will receive a fab prize from Tui Garden Products!
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