Coffee Grounds & Wood Ash: Pros and Cons for Your Garden | Soil pH Testing Without a Lab

Using coffee grounds and wood ash in your garden can offer several benefits but also come with important considerations. Coffee grounds add essential trace elements and organic matter to the soil, improving its structure and promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. However, they can deplete nitrogen and contain residual caffeine, which can inhibit plant growth and be harmful to pets. Wood ash is rich in potassium and can help neutralize acidic soils, but it can also raise soil pH, making it too alkaline for some plants. To use these amendments effectively, it’s best to add them to your compost bin. Additionally, simple at-home soil pH tests using vinegar and baking soda can help you determine the suitability of these amendments for your garden.