Used coffee grounds provide nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that plants need to grow. They are a slow release fertilizer that reduces the risk of burning or polluting soil. Coffee grounds help improve soil structure and retain moisture as they break down, making them beneficial to add to compost, mix into soil, or sprinkle on top of soil. Participating coffee shops can help provide free grounds for use in gardening and reducing waste.

1. We Know You Love Coffee...
Did You Know Your Plants do Too??
Used coffee grounds are an immediate and slow release nitogen source that plants love! ey
also contain phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium other trace minerals not found
in most commercial fertilizers. Using grounds to fertilize reduces the chance of “burning”
plants, polluting groundwater, or killing soil organisms that are part of a healthy ecosystem.
Spent coffee grounds are slightly acidic (pH 6.2-6.8) - perfect for Austin’s alkaline soils!
Plus, the organic matter helps our soils to retain moisture.
• Add them to your compost or vermiculture bin.
• Add grounds directly to the soil. Dig into the top couple inches or just sprinkle on top.
• Incorporate up to 25% the volume of your soil to improve soil structure in the short and
long term!
• Have a coffee shop that you’d like to see participating? 8ant to be active in growing
the program? Let us know!
*HW free grounds in your neighborhood!
AustinGroundtoGround.org