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Used coffee grounds

Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
in Tools and techniques
I have heard that you can use used coffee grounds in the garden, but what are they used for?  I am wondering if it is worth saving ours. 
West Yorkshire
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Best for putting in the compost.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Our kitchen waste bin is about 50% coffee grounds which we have been putting in our compost bins for years. It adds organic matter and bulk so seems to be a good thing overall. You can also use them as a growing media for mushrooms if you fancy creating your own fungus mini-farm.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Some people think they help keep slugs/snails away from plants.
    Yet another myth  ;)

    As the others have said, in the compost is the best use for them.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PurpleRosePurpleRose Posts: 538
    edited March 2020
    If you ask in the coffee chains, Costa, Starbucks etc.. or local independent coffee shops they will give you a bag of coffee grounds for the compost. We are tea drinkers in our house so have plenty of tea leaves but when we go out for a brew I always come out with a bag of coffee grounds 
  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    Thanks, but I don't have the space or enough waste to make my own compost. Should I mix it when I fill my pots or hanging baskets?
    West Yorkshire
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    If I wasn't going to compost it I would just use it as a general mulch spread on the soil.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Waitrose give them away too.
    Devon.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Or save a give to a friend or neighbour who composts. Our local cafes give theirs to gardeners.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    If you grow roses, do use them as a mulch... there is no need to compost them first.. they supply extra nitrogen, small amounts of phosphorus and potassium...  whilst I use used tea, I have heard claims that the coffee produces more larger blooms on roses...

    Coffee grounds are very acidic, but a lot of this is lost in the brewing and drinking... what's left is fairly neutral ph... 
    East Anglia, England
  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    edited March 2020
    Thanks all. It looks like they will be going round my roses. 
    West Yorkshire
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