by Mario Carini

Created on: February 07, 2009   Last Updated: February 09, 2009

Once you've had your morning cup of Joe, it's likely you toss that filter and used coffee grounds strait into the trash where it can be taken directly to the nearest landfill site. But before you do, consider the many uses those spent grounds have to offer. They are a boon to the growth of your garden plants and offer one of the easiest methods to recycle and save you money.

Because of the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium ingredients, those grounds make for an excellent fertilizer that will help your plants grow. Just mixing them into the soil can insure you will get a bumper crop of vegetables come harvest time. Those grounds help loosen up the soil for better aeration.

For added benefit, make a compost from the grounds, including the filters, dried leaves, grass clippings, eggshells and any other decomposing materials. Adding the extra materials help to diffuse the highly acidic nature of the coffee. Come spring, you can work your new fertilizer into your freshly turned garden soil before planting begins.

Some plants enjoy acidic soil, so you can mix in the grounds near the roots of plants such as as azaleas, camellias, gardenias, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons. It helps your tomatoes grow larger. Those prized roses will have enhanced color. Use them around strawberries and blueberries. Mushrooms will thrive on those old coffee grounds.

If coffee has so many uses for the garden, those grounds have many uses around the home too. Here's just a few of them:

* Coffee grounds sprinkled around the base of plants discourage snails and slugs from eating your produce. It will also discourage your cat from digging up your garden.

* It's an effective insect repellent. Want to keep ants from invading the picnic table? Sprinkle a little coffee around your patio. After washing your dog, rub a little into his coat to repel fleas and give his fur a softer and shinier look.

* You can use those grounds to soak up oil spills and other liquids in your driveway.

* Coffee makes for a good staining medium. Children love fun activities where they can color paper and fabrics. Just steep the grounds in hot water and use it to color those drab fabrics. The advantage of coffee over other stains and paints is that it can easily be washed off. You can use it to cover up scratches on your furniture.

* As an abrasive cleaner, the grounds can act as a convenient means of scouring your pots and pans, a useful replacement for dish washing detergent.

* Use it as an odor suppressant. Rub some coffee

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