You may have used coffee grounds in your garden, but did you know that tea leaves can make an even better fertilizer? Here’s why, and how to use them.

Coffee grounds can be a great source of nitrogen for the garden or the compost pile, but spent tea leaves are even better! In fact, the “grounds” from your tea contain twice as much nitrogen as coffee grounds, as well as nearly twice as much phosphorus and potassium, making them a more balanced fertilizer all around.

One caution though – some tea brands now use a blend of synthetic materials for their tea bags, which you don’t want in your garden, so be sure when choosing your tea that you only use brands with fully compostable tea bags, or even better – loose tea leaves. Also remember if you’re growing organic, make sure you’re also buying organic tea.

If you’re a tea drinker, don’t let those used leaves go to waste! Try these simple tips for using them to grow a great garden: