Grounds for Your Garden

Ground coffee does more than brew a great cup of "joe." Those used grounds can also be used in your spring garden and beds. 

* Sprinkle used grounds around plants before rain or watering, for a slow-release nitrogen
 
   * Add to compost piles to increase nitrogen balance.  Coffee filters and tea bags break down rapidly during composting. 

* Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertilizer.  Use about a half-pound can of wet   grounds in a five-gallon bucket of water; let sit outdoors to achieve ambient temperature

* Mix into soil for houseplants or new vegetable beds

* Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee and eggshell barrier to repel pests.

* If you are into vermi-posting, feed a little bit to your worms

Starbucks gives away used coffee grounds for FREE! It is helpful if you can bring in a container for the grounds to go in. The ART Starbucks is open Monday – Thursday, 6:30 AM – 5 PM and 6:30 AM – 4 PM on Friday.