There’s something about a warm cup of coffee on a crisp fall morning that feels just right. But as the cups pile up, so do the used coffee grounds.
Instead of tossing them in the trash, those grounds can actually be a secret weapon for your garden! I used to just throw mine out, but once I learned how powerful they can be for plants and soil, I haven’t looked back.
ere’s how you can put those spent coffee grounds to good use this fall.
Only Use Spent Coffee Grounds!
Before we jump in, let’s make sure we’re on the same page—only use used coffee grounds, not fresh ones. Fresh grounds have more acidity, which can be too harsh for plants and might harm them.
So, if you’re not a coffee drinker, you can still get your hands on spent grounds by asking friends or even your local coffee shop. Most places are happy to share!
1 – Recharge Your Raised Bed Soil
After a season of growing vegetables and flowers, the soil in raised beds can feel tired and drained. I used to think that just watering would fix it, but it turns out soil needs a little extra love to stay healthy.
Coffee grounds are amazing for this! They add nutrients and organic matter back into the soil, making it richer and better prepared for next season.
How to Use: Sprinkle the grounds right on top of the soil and mix it in a bit.
If you have a coffee filter, you can bury that too. It’ll break down over time, adding even more goodness. I usually aim for about 2-3 tablespoons per square foot, but don’t worry about being exact—any amount helps!
2 – Boost Your Compost Pile
If you’re like me, fall means a lot of raking and adding leaves to the compost pile. Coffee grounds are a great addition here too. They’re considered “green” material, which means they’re rich in nitrogen—a key ingredient for compost to break down faster.
Adding coffee grounds helps heat up the pile, so everything decomposes more efficiently. I noticed my compost really picked up speed when I started adding coffee grounds.
How to Use: Toss the grounds right into your compost bin and give the pile a turn to mix them in. Try to do this once a week or so to keep things moving along.
3 – Fertilize Your Lawn
When I first heard about using coffee grounds on the lawn, I was skeptical. But then I tried it, and I was amazed at how green and lush the grass looked. Coffee grounds are packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace minerals—all things that make your lawn happy and healthy.
How to Use: Sprinkle the grounds evenly across your lawn, then rake them in.
As they break down, they’ll release nutrients into the soil, acting almost like a natural fertilizer. Plus, they attract earthworms, which help keep the soil aerated and healthy. I love that I can skip the chemicals and still get great results.
4 – Repel Mosquitoes (and Other Pests!)
One fall, I had a backyard gathering, and the mosquitoes were relentless. A friend suggested burning some coffee grounds as a natural repellent.
I didn’t believe it would work, but I was willing to try anything at that point. Sure enough, it helped! Mosquitoes, bees, and wasps don’t like the smell of coffee, especially when it’s burning.
How to Use: Dry out your coffee grounds in a shallow bowl. Once they’re dry, place them on a heat-resistant plate or in a fire-safe dish and light them. They’ll smolder slowly, creating smoke that keeps pests at bay. It’s a natural, simple way to enjoy a mosquito-free evening!
Final Words
So next time you’re about to toss those coffee grounds, remember all the ways they can help your garden and home this fall.
Whether it’s recharging your soil, boosting your compost, fertilizing your lawn, or keeping pests away, coffee grounds are a powerful (and free!) resource.
Here’s to making the most of them this season!
