by Mario Carini

Created on: August 17, 2010   Last Updated: August 18, 2010

One of the best ways you can lessen the impact on environmental pollution is by reusing those spent coffee grounds that often get tossed out with the trash. But both the grounds and the filters have several common uses that can help your garden grow and save you money too.

Those grounds are rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, all needed by plants to grow and thrive. Flowers such as azaleas, camellias, gardenias, hydrangeas, poinsettias and rhododendrons do well in soil fertilized with coffee grounds. Not only do the grounds help the plants, they aide in the aeration of the soil. That helps grow better tomatoes. If you want your prized roses to have more color and vibrancy, look no further than your daily cup of java for what they need.

Any plants that love acidic soil do well once you mix in those spent coffee grounds.

If improving your garden helps, there are more uses for those grounds. Here's a list, some of which you've likely never heard about:

• Throw out those grounds along with the filters, eggshells and grass clippings to make for a good fertilizer for next year's garden. Once spring is in full swing, mix in that decomposed matter into the soil before you start planting.

• Coffee grounds help fight pests from invading your garden. Spread the grounds over the surface of the soil to deter snails and slugs from getting to your produce. And if you have a cat that likes to dig up your garden, those grounds will make him think twice.

• Picnics were made for ants, but they don't have to crawl over your food if you spread a few grounds on the picnic table or over your patio.

• The abrasive nature of coffee grounds make them a good cleaner for your pots and pans. They work as well as many dish washing detergents and are far safer for the environment.

• The dried grounds can be used to absorb oil and gasoline spills in your driveway. Use them to soak up spilled shellac and paints.

• Come winter, use the grounds to de-ice your driveway, walkway and outside stairs. They don't damage soil the way salt does.

• Want to discourage the fleas and ticks from making a home in your dog's coat? Work some of the grounds in to repel those pests. The grounds will also help give your dog a softer and shinier coat too.

• If your dog can benefit from those grounds, imagine what a little coffee on your face and hands can do! You can have softer skin without having to absorb the chemicals that

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