Are Coffee Grounds Good for Your Garden?
By Cameron Hayton, Walcha Coffee
Now that spring’s in full swing and gardens across the New England are bursting back to life, we’ve been getting a question from a lot of our regulars: “Hey Cam, are coffee grounds actually good for the garden?”
The short answer — yes, they can be brilliant. But like all good things (especially coffee), it’s all about how you use them.
Why coffee grounds are a gardener’s friend
Used coffee grounds are packed with organic goodness — nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and a bunch of trace minerals that help feed the soil and encourage healthy plant growth. When added to compost or mixed into the garden bed, they help improve soil texture, boost aeration, and increase water retention.
They’re also a great way to recycle what would otherwise end up in the bin. Every espresso shot you enjoy at home or in the café can give something back to the earth — closing the loop from bean to bloom.
The right way to use coffee grounds
Here’s where a bit of know-how comes in.
- Mix them in – Don’t just dump a pile of grounds straight on top of the soil. Coffee grounds can clump together and block water flow. Instead, dig them lightly into the top few centimetres of soil or mix them through your compost.
- Balance your compost – Grounds count as a “green” (nitrogen-rich) ingredient. Add some “brown” material too — think dried leaves, straw, or shredded paper — to keep your compost balanced.
- Use them on the right plants – Acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries and hydrangeas will be happier than veggies that prefer neutral soil.
- Go easy on seedlings – Freshly planted seeds and young plants can find high caffeine levels a bit much, so save your grounds for mature plants or compost first.
What coffee grounds won’t do
A quick myth buster: used coffee grounds aren’t acidic enough to change your soil’s pH in a big way. They also aren’t a complete fertiliser — think of them more like a soil conditioner or organic boost, not a miracle grow potion.
How we use them at Walcha Coffee
At the roastery, we collect and compost our used coffee grounds along with other organic waste. It all gets turned into rich compost for the gardens around Walcha. Our coffee husks from roasting are picked up by a local worm farm every week. It’s one more way we’re keeping things local, sustainable, and circular — good coffee doing good things long after the cup’s empty.
In summary
Yes, coffee grounds are good for your garden — when used wisely. They enrich your soil, feed your compost, and keep your waste out of landfill. Spring’s the perfect time to put those used espresso shots to work and give your garden a little caffeine kick of its own.
So next time you’re brewing up your favourite Walcha Coffee blend, save those grounds. Your plants will thank you for it.