[stompy]

could coffee grounds be used as a mulch around trees and fruit bushes on their own?

I can get plenty from work but not sure that the coffee would go into the soil when it rains and affect the fruit tree/bush roots, i could mix them 50/50 with grass cuttings in the summer too if that would be better!

[Trillium]

At one time we would have said no, believing them to be acidic. But some tests I've read have revealed that used grounds are actually more neutral, about 6.9 on the pH scale. Apparently the brewing process removes most of the acidity, so grounds are actually quite good (and neutral) for mulching.

So, mulch away.

[stompy]

So the coffee that would wash from them into the ground around the roots would do no harm to the tree? 

[Yorkie]

Just make sure you don't actually put them in contact with the tree trunk - mulch shouldn't be in contact with the trunk.

[Trillium]

So the coffee that would wash from them into the ground around the roots would do no harm to the tree? 

Very little flavour/acidity is left after brewing and by the time anything reached the root area, it would be well diluted if not already in the decomposing process. If you're still uncertain about it, spread a layer of grounds, then a layer of dry matter like leaves, dried grass, etc, then another layer of grounds, etc. Yorkie's point was that no mulch should touch the actual plant trunk.

[stompy]

No, i understand that no mulch no matter what it is should be in cotact with the trunk but was just concearned about the coffe thats left in the grounds harming the roots.

Well im satisfied that you guys think it'll be fine so will begin collecting the grounds today.

Thanks for the responces guys 

Andy