Coffee Grounds as compost?

Cheshire Phill · « **on:** January 06, 2009, 13:50 »

Anyone any experience of using coffee grounds as mulch/compost?
I'm after knowing how mad I can go with this stuff...we have Costalot coffee at my [big!] work company, and they were offering grounds to folks as a good way of putting back goodness into the soil.

So I asked for some, and today got about half a dustbin sack full, and thats in one day! So I could really get a lot of this stuff, and I have a new [though not virgin] allotment, so is there a limit as to how much I can dig in?

Also, is it better for some crops rather than others? Just planning my planting now...does it increase acidity or alkalinity?

Any help and experiences gladly accepted please!!

Thanks all!

Phill

matthew2riches · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2009, 13:57 »

I think it increases acidity but not 100% sure.

I get loads from Bidwells when I go there during the week and I just throw it in the compost bin.

FCG · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2009, 21:27 »

I don't know about putting it straight in the ground, but it works great as a compost activator.

paintedlady · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2009, 05:26 »

I haven't tried it myself, but I understand you can use it as a slug deterrant if you put it round plants.

Minty · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2009, 10:49 »

Read a bit about coffee grounds but never used any.

What's the score with it,do these coffee shop's just give it away if you ask for it or is it a case of having to know someone in the shop?

Sorry if that sounds stupid but I never visit these places.

compostqueen · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2009, 10:55 »

put the coffee grounds in the compost, or in a ring around your vulnerable plants as a slug deterrent. The grounds will kill your plants if they get too close as it's strong stuff! I use left over coffee as a weedkiller on the weeds in my gravel drive

puravida · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2009, 12:09 »

I carried out a little experiment on this a couple of years ago...

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I still tip a lot of the used grounds from our cafe onto the compost pile at home. A bit stinky to start but soon mellows.

Trillium · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2009, 16:45 »

Minty, check this out:

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=14497&highlight=coffee&sid=60204ec59de11c7db225655778d44385

Minty · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2009, 23:31 »

Quote from: "Trillium"

Minty, check this out:

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=14497&highlight=coffee&sid=60204ec59de11c7db225655778d44385

Thanks Trillium,very informative.

peterjf · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2009, 23:53 »

COFFEE GROUNDS ARE GREAT FOR KEEPING SLUGS OFF BRASSICAS , LEAVE A TRAIL OF THEM AROUND THE BEDS , SLUG WILL NOT CROSS THEM

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