Keeping your lawn healthy can sometimes be a challenge once the temperature rises, but there is a natural way to get thicker grass that stays green throughout the summer. In May, grass grows quickly and needs to be fertilised properly to develop a deeper root system, which can help the lawn stay alive no matter how hot the weather is.
The gardening experts at Daley’s Turf explained that one of the best ways to give grass a boost now is to feed it used up coffee grounds. They said: “If you have a coffee machine at home then you have a free source of fertiliser – you can add the grounds to your compost bin or save them up in the shed until you have a garbage bin full (enough to cover your entire lawn).”
It is incredibly common for grass to become yellow once summer arrives due to the heat, and if a lawn dries out it can be difficult for it to recover before the cold weather in autumn.
This will result in thin and patchy lawns that will keep struggling to grow as it has not been watered or fertilised enough.
However, coffee grounds contain nitrogen, a nutrient all plants need, as it encourages foliage and roots to grow stronger.
Lawns which are get a boost of nitrogen in May will grow deeper roots that will retain more water and stay hydrated for longer.
Nitrogen will help a lawn grow thicker grass which not only looks stunning but will protect it by keep the soil shaded and cool.
Coffee grounds will simply help lawns grow properly to be strong enough to endure heat or drought once summer arrives, so the grass stays green and healthy.
How to use coffee grounds to feed a lawn
All you need to do is save up the used up coffee grounds after you are done making your morning brew, but many coffee shops also have programmes to give away their leftover coffee grounds to gardeners.
Once you have your coffee grounds, you need to dry them out to completely get rid of any moisture, as they can develop mould if left in a damp environment. When they are fully dried you can add the coffee grounds to your compost or just add them on your lawn.
Make sure to spread them in a even layer and leave them somewhere sunny to dry out. After one a day the coffee grounds should be completely dry, and you can now apply them to the lawn.
The expert said: “Empty bags of coffee grounds in piles around your lawn, grab a shovel full and sling the grounds to all corners of your lawn. You can also use a traditional fertiliser spreader to ensure you get good coverage.”
When the coffee grounds are spread over the grass, then use a broom or rake to brush them deeper into the ground. Make sure to also apply them thinly and evenly, as a thick layer can create clumps that stop sunlight or water getting into the ground.
Then, thoroughly water your lawn, as it helps them become easily absorbed by the soil. You only need to feed a lawn coffee grounds once a month while the grass is growing in late spring and early summer to get a nitrogen boost that will protect the lawn
The expert said: “For about a week after application, you will enjoy the energising aroma of coffee in the heat of the day. Soon after, you’ll probably notice the colour of your lawn deepen to a rich green as the grass soaks up the popular breakfast brew.”
