Research shows there are nutrients in coffee grounds that might benefit grass growing, but not enough to make it worth the effort. One thumbs up for sprinkling coffee on your lawn is that it discourages neighborhood fidos from seeking a place to poop in your yard.
Using Coffee Grounds on Your Lawn — Good or Bad?
Coffee certainly perks us up in the morning—it might also perk up your lawn,. But before you dump your French press leftovers across the grass, let’s look at what the science and garden wisdom actually say.
Spent coffee grounds contain small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—the trio of nutrients plants need to grow. However, those amounts are too minor to make coffee grounds a standalone fertilizer.
Instead, think of coffee grounds as a performance booster, best used alongside traditional fertilizers. Whether you rely on synthetic solutions or go the natural route with alfalfa meal, feather meal, or blood meal, coffee grounds can enhance nutrient uptake and improve soil texture.
Used properly, coffee grounds also contribute to soil structure.
To avoid compacting the soil or forming a moldy crust, don’t just scatter the grounds thickly over your lawn and call it a day. They should be spread thinly and preferably mixed with other organic materials like lawn clippings, wood chips, or pine needles.
Better still, add them to your compost pile and let time do the alchemy—then use that rich compost to nourish your lawn.
One word of caution: never use fresh coffee grounds. They’re too acidic and may throw off your lawn’s soil pH. Only spent grounds—those already brewed—are safe and beneficial. And even then, they need to be dried before storage or use.
Spread the grounds out on a newspaper-lined tray in a sunny, well-ventilated area, and stir occasionally. This drying step helps prevent mold and makes the grounds easier to spread or mix into soil.
Keep in mind, coffee grounds can be harmful if pets consume them. If you’re not composting the grounds, work them lightly into the topsoil to keep them away from curious noses and unwelcomed poopers.
Finally, consider scale: it can be tough to collect enough grounds to cover an entire lawn. If you’re short, don’t despair—most independent coffee shops are happy to give away bags of their used grounds. All you have to do is ask.
Bottom line: In the end, coffee grounds are best thought of as an enriching supplement, not a miracle cure. Used wisely, they’re another arrow in the eco-conscious gardener’s quiver.
No comments:
Post a Comment