[jamesbrownontheroad]

Morning all. In previous threads on slug protection I've asked about coffee grinds and had the impression that while effective they can generally have a negative effect on the soil make-up over time.

However, we're about to plant out some yellow courgette plants, and since I reckon they will be particularly attractive to our slithery slimy slugs, I was wondering if anyone knew whether coffee grinds would be particularly good/neutral/detrimental to the health of our plants if we piled some around the plants. We drink enough coffee and have only a few plants, so this would be one crop that would be easy to protect.

Specific coffee/courgette thoughts much appreciated. Ta

[alwayshopeful]

Don't know about any effects they may have on your corgettes, but I put them around my blueberry bush, because apparantly they like that - but after a while they went rock hard and the soil underneath went mouldy     Saying all that though, the blueberry bush is still alive and well, I just haven't used any more coffee grounds on them 

[Rachelina]

I tried putting coffee grounds around my cauliflowers, but they went mouldy too. In the end I went for copper tape around the whole bed, which seems to have done the trick (I've only ever seen one snail trail in there - it must have teleported in).

Organic slug pellets?

[Bozwell]

I have been using coffee grinds for a long time now and have only praise for the stuff.
At present it is around squashes, courgettes and marrows, and previously around peas beans and brassica's when they were young and vunerable. You only need just a fine dusting of it so remember it is just a deterant not a mulch. If it starts to go mouldy pull it away from the plant and put some fresh down until the plant is large enough not to be bothered by the slimey bu***rs.
I actually find it to the benefit of the soil much the same as tea leaves at retaining moisture once in the soil. I have concerns though about the continued use of slug pellets on the ground and what gets drawn up by the plant over time and in to the food chain. Of course I have no proof but that's why I choose coffee every time.
I do not drink coffee I look on ebay and buy a job lot for a couple of quid when it's past it's sell by date, that way I sprinkle it on dry around the plants and helps to keep it pretty fine.
I really hope you find this of use.
p.s kenko dark roast works best for me.

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, why not grow your courg. up a stout pole, all you do is tie it to the pole as it grows you keep your courges off the ground and they are easier to pick. Once tried you will never go back, also it is much tidier.

[jamesbrownontheroad]

Thanks for the above, will be trying out both suggestions. Hopefully the slimy b*ggers won't be too offended by our £1.39 Lidl ground coffee...

[Quetzal]

i've been taking quite large amounts of free starbucks coffee grounds and lining all around the whole bed (so the coffee actually goes on the path not the bed) and it seems to be working so far.

Alternatively, we had success with crushed eggshells last year around our psb/squash.

[braders1234]

Jay Dubya, I would love to see some pictures of the courgette4s growing up a pole, I have just planted some corgettes for the first time and am up for anything that gets the old fellers talking on the allotment!


How stout a pole are we talking here?