4. Coffee Grounds: Energizing the Compost and Repelling Pests

Used coffee grounds are a nitrogen-rich "green" material for your compost and offer several direct benefits in the garden. They have a slightly acidic pH, which can benefit acid-loving plants, and their gritty texture and scent can deter certain pests.

1. 🍃 Compost Activator and ""Green"" Material

Add cooled, used coffee grounds to your compost bin. They are a source of nitrogen, which heats up the compost pile and helps break down "brown" materials like dried leaves and cardboard. Mix them in thoroughly to avoid clumping. This creates a balanced, nutrient-dense compost for your garden.

2. 🐜 Ant and Slug Repellent

Create a barrier of dry, used coffee grounds around the perimeter of garden beds or at the base of plants. The strong scent can confuse and repel ants, disrupting their scent trails. The abrasive texture can also deter slugs and snails. For a more potent anti-ant solution, mix grounds with powdered orange peel or diatomaceous earth.

3. 🌺 Acid-Loving Plant Fertilizer

Work a modest amount of coffee grounds into the topsoil around acid-loving plants such as blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons, and roses. As they decompose, they will slightly acidify the soil and add nutrients. Do not over-apply, as a thick layer can form a water-resistant crust. Mixing them into the soil or compost first is generally more effective than using them as a thick mulch.