Garden lawns can turn extra green in October when treated with coffee grounds, a common kitchen scrap that is rich in nitrogen. The colder, wetter autumn weather does not mean it is time to retreat indoors, as gardens still need regular care to prepare for winter. After a hot, dry summer, lawns can be left looking brown and patchy, particularly after the many heatwaves this year, as hot weather stresses grass and leads to reduced growth.
Why coffee grounds help lawns
Coffee grounds are beneficial in the garden because they are rich in nitrogen, which is essential for healthy plant growth, and they also contain other important nutrients like potassium and phosphorus, which can improve the overall health of a lawn. Not only are they nutrient-rich, but coffee grounds can also improve soil structure and water retention, which gives stronger turf.
Experts at Turf Technologies explained: “Being small/fine and dark brown in colour, they’re unnoticeable once spread amongst the grass. They’re a slow-release fertiliser, the opposite of most synthetic products. This allows your lawn to benefit from the nutrients for a longer period of time, ensuring stronger turf for longer.”
How to apply coffee grounds
Coffee grounds need to be dry before they are applied to lawns, so if you are using used grounds, you will need to allow them to dry out first. Once dried, sprinkle the grounds across your grass evenly to avoid clumping, then lightly rake them into the soil to help them integrate. Reapply the coffee grounds every month or two to promote a thick, green turf.
The experts added: “Unlike synthetic fertiliser, where incorrect application can have disastrous effects like burning the lawn or contaminating water via run off, coffee grounds have no such adverse effects. Worms like them. Earthworms eat the coffee grounds and, in return, aerate your lawn and encourage beneficial microbial activity. Coffee grounds are an eco-friendly, no-waste lawn product.”
Weed and pest benefits
Coffee grounds have the added benefit of preventing weeds from spreading across a lawn, as they contain natural chemicals that can stunt the growth of some plants, which can lead to weed suppression. The grounds also create a thin layer on the lawn, acting as a physical barrier that helps block sunlight to hinder weed growth, and this can also help deter garden pests like snails and slugs.
In its online advice, Oxford Garden Design said: “Here’s one positive of adding fresh grounds and caffeine to the garden. Strategically placed, the caffeine provided by fresh grounds can be used to deter the growth of weeds. This process hinges on the allelopathic properties of caffeine. Another useful aspect is that caffeine pushes back several pests. Chief amongst these are slugs and snails. It is worth noting that while these critters avoid coffee, it is not exactly a foolproof method. Slugs don’t exactly like coffee, but they won’t run away from it either.”
“Interestingly, coffee grounds also discourage pets from entering the area. Cats, for example, avoid exposure to caffeine. This will keep the garden free of the cat and stop it from becoming a litterbox! Some extra care is needed if your pet is a dog and has a penchant for eating or licking random things. In such a case, avoid caffeine for the dog and consign it to the compost heap.”
