Don’t throw out those used coffee grounds. There are lots of ways to put them use in your garden. And more to the point, there are certain plants, such as hydrangeas, Camellias and roses that just love them!
Put your Used Coffee Grounds to use in the garden.
So you have brewed yourself a big ole cup of Joe and have a pile of used coffee grounds. What do you do with them. Well, you know me, I just don’t seem to be able to throw away kitchen refuse, if it can be used in a compost pile, so that is the least that you can do with them.
Old coffee grounds combined with egg shells also makes a great compost tea when combined with rain water. It can be used to fertilize your plants. See how to make compost tea and also home made miracle grow here.
But there is no need to wait for them to compost. Used coffee grounds work great right away but just digging them into the soil near your nitrogen loving plants for some extra nourishment.
This works especially well camellias, hydrangeas, and roses. Not only will you have healthier plants, but you will also save money on garden fertilizer, and know that you are being “green” as a gardener. 
Blueberries, cranberries and other citrus fruit like used coffee (and tea) grounds added to their soil since they help to bring it closer to the 3.0 -5.0 PH that these plants need.
It is not just nourishment that used grounds bring to the soil though. There are a lot of other benefits:
Deter bugs. Coffee grounds are also known to deter slugs and snails, so sprinkle them around plants that these pests love, such as hostas and broccoli and Brussels sprouts. They are the perfect organic DIY snail deterrent.
Liquid feeder. Coffee grounds make a great liquid feeder. Place a handful of coffee grounds into a bucket of water and leave them for a day or two. This will create a nice amber-colored liquid that you can use to feed house plants as needed.
Greens for the compost pile. I also throw my coffee grounds, filter and all into my compost pile. They are considered a “Green” component. Coffee grounds an excellent garden source in this regard, as are many vegetable scraps, egg shells and other kitchen refuse items. The coffee grounds have a 20 to 1 ratio of nitrogen to carbon, which makes them ideal for helping grow plants such as tomatoes.
Mulch for plants. If you have acid loving plants, some gardeners say to forget the mulch. Just pile up the grounds around the plant to keep the weeds away. (I would add them to other lawn refuse such as grass clippings or leaves.).
Where to get used coffee grounds. Some coffee places such as Starbucks will give away their used coffee grounds if you just ask. So make friends at your local coffee house if you need more than you have at home.
Vermicomposting. Do you vermi-compost with a worm bin? If you do, worms LOVE used coffee grounds for their food.
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Have you tried other green tips for your gardens? Please leave your comments below.
Laura
Sunday 3rd of January 2021
RESEARCH plants to know their sunlight/shade needs before buying them. Get plants for specific areas based upon their sunlight needs. It is the best way to ensure flowering and growth. I have learned this through my mistakes. you can always more a plant to a better location and then get a plant that will take its place and thrive. :-) Happy gardening during covid. What better way to use your time alone? or with family? :-)
Alice
Wednesday 1st of August 2018
Can coffee grounds be used on rose of Sharon bushes and how much and offten should the coffee grounds be applied?
Carol
Wednesday 1st of August 2018
Hi Alice. Rose of Sharon bushes like an acidic soil, so I assume that the coffee grounds would help in this regard. However, I have never tried them on this plant, so I can't tell you how much to use or how often. Carol
Pam
Saturday 7th of April 2018
Thanyou Carol for all your advise. I have been saving coffee grounds for a few days now and about to use them in my garden, Pam
Audrey
Wednesday 13th of September 2017
I was wondering if coffee grounds are good for basil plants?
Carol
Wednesday 13th of September 2017
Fresh coffee grounds are acidic (used ones are neutral.) Since basil is not an acid loving plant, I'd only use those that have been used in coffee. They'll just act as a bit of fertilizer for the plant. Carol
Jamie
Saturday 10th of June 2017
Is there a limit to how much grounds you use or how often you can use them? Also, do you have to dig around the plant and put the grounds under the soil, or is just placing the grounds on the surface sufficient?
Carol
Saturday 10th of June 2017
I would dig them into the soil and wouldn't add them often. They are the occasional input of organic matter. Think of it as fertilizer. I have 10 garden beds that are all quite large, so I can use mine often without over doing it. Smaller garden plots should have them added about as often as you would think of fertilizing. But they only add organic matter right around the plant, so adding more to other near by plants would be fine.