It may sound unusual, but UK households have been told to put coffee grounds in their gardens in January. Little you may know, it has a number of handy uses outdoors
08:11, 10 Jan 2026Updated 08:34, 10 Jan 2026
Coffee grounds can be good for the garden (stock image)(Image: MR.WUTTISAK PROMCHOO via Getty Images)
January arrives packed with all manner of new year chores, and one of them involves utilising coffee in your garden. It might sound rather odd, but UK households have been encouraged to tackle this task during the chillier months of the year, and it can make an enormous difference.
If you’re someone who relishes a bit of gardening, it can sometimes feel like your efforts have been for nothing when winter arrives. Brief days and gloomier weather make it trickier to venture outdoors, whilst bitter frosts can wreak havoc on fragile plant life and even our lawns.
Speaking on behalf of Coffee Friend, former Royal gardener Jack Stooks explained there are loads of things you can still be getting on with during the colder months to safeguard your garden and prepare it for springtime triumph.
From the plants that require planting now, to essential tips for maintaining your lawn’s health and the finest ways to repurpose coffee grounds, Jack revealed how to guarantee a flourishing paradise by the time the sunshine makes its comeback.
To get started, you might want to begin by grabbing some coffee. It appears it can benefit your outdoor space in numerous ways.
Why should you use coffee?
Jack said: “Don’t bin your coffee grounds. Put them to good use in your garden during the colder months. One of the easiest ways is to add them to your compost.
“Composting turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil that boosts the structure and fertility. Coffee adds nitrogen, which is a key nutrient for healthy plant growth, and it also helps speed up the decomposition process.
“You can also use coffee grounds as a mulch, which is a layer of material placed on top of the soil to help retain moisture, suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature. Simply sprinkle the coffee grounds around the base of your plants, or mix them into an existing mulch layer.”
Beyond this, he mentioned several additional jobs that can benefit your garden throughout the colder months.
Hold off on lawn care until spring arrives
He continued: “When it comes to lawns, winter is not the ideal time to carry out any gardening or maintenance. The cold temperatures, frost and wet conditions can make the grass more vulnerable to damage.
“Walking on or cutting the lawn during this period can compact the soil, harm the roots and leave the grass more susceptible to disease. Leave it until the spring to mow. The sun will hopefully be shining again and the plants will be coming back to life.”
You can still rescue your blooms
Certain plants deserve rescuing for winter, including dahlias. Whilst these ought to have been lifted already, if you’ve missed the boat, there’s still an opportunity.
The ground hasn’t frozen solid yet, so Jack reassured there’s no cause for alarm. Following the initial frosts, trim back the greenery and gently excavate.
Carefully brush off any surplus dirt, then let them dry out in a shed. Once dry, stash them in a container with dry compost and keep them in a cool shed over winter. Come spring, you can bring them out and replant them
Now is the prime time for bulbs
Jack advised: “If you haven’t planted your bulbs yet, now is the time. Late daffodils and other spring bulbs need to go in the ground soon to ensure they bloom beautifully for the spring.
“Another top pick for a winter garden is bare-root roses. They make a beautiful gift, too, as they just keep on giving. They produce summer flowers year after year, so it’s a beautiful and long-lasting present for someone special or your own garden to enjoy.”
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