Gardening and Coffee Aids

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and will improve the availability of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and copper. Till into the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. The grounds will provide nitrogen in a slow-release fashion for plants to use over the long-term. It is an excellent soil amendment and is recommended to be used at a rate of 25 to 35% by volume to improve soil structure.  

The grounds’ slightly acidic properties are also a welcome addition if your soil tends more toward alkaline. Note: Coffee is only slightly acidic, so it’s not going to be enough to acidify your soil over the long-term all on its own, but it may help, especially with acid-loving plants such as camellias, azaleas, blueberries, and hollies.

Add coffee grounds to the compost pile. 

Don’t just throw out all those grounds! They are valuable as a nitrogen-rich kick-starter for the compost pile. Add to your compost pile; once your compost has decomposed, amend your soil to help plants grow.  Nitrogen-rich grounds should make up no more than 15 to 20% of the total compost volume (as they are also acidic). Mix coffee grounds with grass clippings and dried leaves with a pitchfork. Coffee filters can be composted, too, but they are considered green compost and should be balanced with browns.

Madres Espresso, your go-to coffee stand and gardening assistant!