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Austin MN

I got alot of coffee grounds from the local coffee shop to use but I have no experience on how to use them. Do they have to be completely composted to add to the hole? Can I use it when trenching vines? What is the best way to us it?

5/25/2015 1:20:44 PM

Eganville, Ontario

I have a lot of them. I don't think I'd add them to a planting hole, but I put a good sprinkling over my entire growing area as I was tilling in the cover crops. They don't have to be completely broken down. I simply piled mine up and then spread them. I asked a few people and I never heard anything bad about them.

They get quite hot just sitting there as you can see in the next picture. I used the remainder to add into my leaf compost while I flip it.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=237153

5/25/2015 1:50:35 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

I added about 1000lbs of coffee grounds to my large compost pile over the winter. This is the first year adding grounds so we will see. But I do know one thing. When I shoveled the pile into my wheel barrow to spread in the garden, the whole pile was packed with red worms so I don't see anything wrong with that.

5/25/2015 2:27:03 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

I have read that you have to consider coffee grounds as compost greens, even though it is brown. Similar to other green matter. I feel more comfortable composting it with other stuff. There is a lot of info on the internet about it.

5/25/2015 2:53:31 PM

South Hero, VT

A cuppa articles on coffee grounds.

http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=12978

http://www.sunset.com/garden/earth-friendly/starbucks-coffee-compost-test

5/25/2015 3:20:30 PM

Austin MN

Thanks every one! I'm gonna compost them! :)

5/25/2015 4:15:19 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Kingston patch received at least 1000 pounds this fall. First time he's ever added anything. Boy the worms were everywhere this spring!

Worms love coffee grounds and worms poop is what we want.

5/25/2015 4:43:11 PM

Rhode Island

id be concerned that to much coffee grounds will bring your acid levels up in your patch.
keeping a near nuteral ph is a must.
if you use a lot of coffee grounds, id suggest a soil testing for sure.
pap

5/25/2015 4:55:55 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The grounds are neutral, if not very close

5/25/2015 9:34:12 PM

Muddy Waters

I stop using coffee grounds.My plants were pacing back & forth smoking cigarettes & demanding donuts.Have you seen the price of donuts?? 10$ a dozen.Hell Mycorrhizae is cheaper.lol

5/25/2015 10:11:01 PM

Austin MN

My pH is on the higher side so coffee grounds could help! I still plan on composting them and adding later I'll do a soil test after too!

5/25/2015 10:41:11 PM

Udine, Italy

I added large amounts (about 10 kg/sq meter) of coffee grounds in autumn and winter, and after I worked the soil, the first effect observed in spring is the increase in Worms population, the pH is not lowered to much (from 7,8 to 7.4). Instead during the spring I added coffee grounds only on the soil surface, without tilling and this is not good because it causes a waterproof layer and poor structure of the top soil. Probably the best way is to add coffe ground in the compost pile.

5/26/2015 7:33:40 AM

South Hero, VT

http://labs.wsu.edu/linda-chalker-scott/wp-content/uploads/sites/439/2015/03/coffee-grounds.pdf

5/26/2015 9:24:34 AM

Johnston, Iowa

LOL Bubba

5/26/2015 5:35:50 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Where do you get a 1000 pounds of coffee grounds ?!

5/26/2015 9:19:53 PM

Torrance, Ca.

If you go into Starbucks around 12:00pm and ask for used grounds,,, they'll hand you a huge garbage bag or two. Each bag weighs between 30 and 50 pounds. After a few weeks of this, you'll have pretty close to a 1000 pounds:)

Its a little work but your compost pile and worms will thank you!!

5/26/2015 10:13:59 PM

Austin MN

That's what I'm doing! ;)

5/26/2015 10:23:12 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

I did exactly what So.Cal.Grower said. Near where I work there is a Starbucks and Dutch Bros. almost on every street corner and misc. coffee shops in between.

5/27/2015 1:56:25 AM