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Coffee Tips

Are Coffee Grounds Good for Grass?

The caffeine content and aroma in coffee help many people wake up in the morning. The stimulating effect of coffee is what helps you wake up and increase your energy levels. But are coffee grounds good for grass? Well, coffee grounds are believed to stimulate healthier turf. Is this true? In this article, we will tell you how your lawn can benefit from coffee grounds.

coffee grounds good for grass

How do Coffee Grounds Benefit Grass?

Besides caffeine, coffee grounds are also rich in trace minerals, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. It is these nutrients that stimulate healthy turf growth. Coffee grounds release these nutrients slowly, which benefits grass more than synthetic fertilizers that release minerals quickly. Since the nutrients in coffee grounds are broken down slowly, they benefit grass over a longer period for stronger growth.

Also, applying coffee grounds on your lawn as a natural fertilizer is beneficial for the worms. Essentially, earthworms feed on coffee grounds. In return, they aerate the grass with their castings, thereby breaking up the soil and enhancing microbial activity. Consequently, they stimulate lawn growth.

Some gardeners apply synthetic fertilizers on their lawn, which often burns the lawn and contaminates water through ground surface run off. Fortunately, applying coffee grounds on your lawn does not have any negative effects on the environment. Coffee grounds are eco-friendly and nourish the lawn without burning it.

 

How Do You Apply Coffee Grounds on Your Lawn?

There are certain ways you can feed your grass with coffee grounds including:

1. Adding coffee grounds to compost

One of the most effective ways of feeding your lawn with coffee grounds is by adding them to your compost. By mixing coffee grounds into your compost, you will add essential nutrients to the soil for healthier turf growth.

Also, making compost with coffee grounds as an additive helps condition the soil. As a result, the soil retains more moisture, especially during warm weather. For the best results, mix coffee grounds with dry leaves, fresh grass clippings, and other preferred components in equal measures.

Mix and turn the mixture once every 14 days. Allow it to heat and rot in between the mixing times. Your compost will be ready for application on your lawn in about three months.

To apply the compost, spread it on the lawn in a thin coating (top-dressing) with the help of a fertilizer spreader. Ensure you water the lawn afterward to assist the organic matter in the compost to mix into the soil.

2. Applying coffee grounds alongside a nitrogen fertilizer

If you have any plans of adding a nitrogen-based fertilizer to your lawn, you can boost its effectiveness further by mixing it with coffee grounds. Only use damp coffee grounds for the best results. The role of coffee grounds in this case is to encourage the growth of soil microbes, thereby helping the grass to utilize nitrogen. Also, microbes help in breaking down coffee grounds for grass to benefit from its nutrients.

3. Mix some grounds into the soil

Another option is to mix a small amount of coffee grounds into the top layer of the soil. That way, they will benefit the grass without preventing moisture from reaching grass roots. If coffee grounds are applied over the soil, they may dry up and prevent moisture from getting into the soil. Consequently, the grass may dry. When applying coffee grounds, rake them into the topsoil layer for the best results.

4. Use coffee grounds minimally

You may assume that applying more coffee grounds is better for your grass. Unfortunately, applying excessive grounds to your lawn may stunt its growth. When you apply coffee grounds alone, only use a small amount and rake them into the soil.

 

Summary

Are coffee grounds good for grass? Yes, they are. When you brew a morning cup of Joe, do not dump the used coffee grounds into the waste bin. You can add them to your compost or nitrogen fertilizer to boost the growth of your grass. Alternatively, you can sprinkle coffee grounds on your lawn in small proportions. Always use damp coffee grounds on your lawn for the best results. Also, avoid applying excessive coffee grounds as they may stunt grass growth when used excessively.