Brits told to save coffee for their gardens in cunning winter hack

Coffee may be the most popular drink in the world, with around two billion cups slurped every day, according to the British Coffee Association.

But, it is increasingly being associated with another multi-purpose use. grounds, it emerges, can work magic in the garden and in a variety of ways.

So rather than chucking them in the food waste, start saving so you can use them this winter.

Firstly, coffee grounds are an excellent ingredient and are fine to apply directly onto the soil around most garden plants if used with care and moderation.

They also contain nutrients that plants use for growth.

The grounds are relatively high in nitrogen and also contain potassium and phosphorus, as well as being a source of organic matter.

According to Gardenersworld.com: "The safest way to use coffee grounds in the garden is to add them to compost containers or worm bins. Used grounds rot down well, and homemade compost is superb for improving soil and growing healthy plants.

"While applying coffee grounds directly onto the soil around most plants is usually fine, this should be done with care and moderation as using grounds in this way is never a one-method-fits-all approach.

"The chief potential problem is that if applied in quantity to the soil surface, the fine particles clog together to form a barrier that prevents water and air from reaching plant roots."

Coffee is slightly acidic and is therefore good for acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas, as well as nutrient-hungry plants like roses, but again use it only in moderation on any one plant.

Coffee grounds are also one of many materials said to repel slugs and can be used around their favourite plants such as hostas, though results are not guaranteed, according to some gardeners.

Some gardeners have had good results with using coffee as a slug deterrent while others report that it has no effect. Other gardeners use coffee as a repellent for ants, cats and foxes, again with varying results. As with any organic repellent, frequent application is needed and especially after rain.

Unfortunately, caffeine restricts the growth of certain plants, notably tomatoes, and may inhibit germination of seedlings, so the grounds should not be used on these.

It is important to remember that caffeine can be toxic to dogs, so if you have a pet pooch don't spread grounds on the soil surface but instead add to the compost bin or bury it in the soil.