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Coffee Grounds

mike wmike w Posts: 43
in Problem solving

I have been using spent coffee grounds as a conditioner without any detrimental effects.Recently I read that this could be harmful to seedlings and plants because coffee is a pollutant and inhibits germination and growth.

has anyone experience good or bad ?

Mike W

 

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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,354

    Mine go on the compost heap so I suppose they're a bit of a P in the ocean. Never heard anything against them but I'd never put anything concentrated directly on seedlings or in their pot/tray.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Gardening GrandmaGardening Grandma Posts: 1,746

    You can dilute them in water before using them and this makes quite a good fertiliser. Here's a link.

    http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/use-diluted-coffee-to-fertilize-plants.htm

     

     

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    I've been using it for years by sprinkling it around the borders to good effect.  I would say that as long as you don't put down a thick layer of it, you will be fine using it as a soil conditioner. 

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Gardening GrandmaGardening Grandma Posts: 1,746

    That's how I use it, too, and also tea leaves.

  • adam murrayadam murray Posts: 19

    I've put some down, as a deterrent for cats that like to use my facilities, have heard conflicting things tho, they're more used for slug repellant?, can anyone shed any light please, thanks

  • Gold1locksGold1locks Posts: 498

    A US reseach study says that coffeee grounds are good as a soil conditioner but do not act as a fertiliser. A bit like adding sharp sand, gypsum, grit etc., stopping the soil from clagging up, improving drainage etc.. However, coffee grounds arw acidic, so are best used lightly. I compost mine.

    I would not use coffee grounds on seedlings. Seed compost has practically no fertilizer as it can scorch tiny seedlings, as can acidic grounds.  In fact, you can grow seedlings well in perlite or vermiculite, which are totally inert. the seed capsule has all the nutreients needed until the seedling is ready to prick out at the first true leaf stage. 

  • LoreaLorea Posts: 81
    adam murray wrote (see)

    I've put some down, as a deterrent for cats that like to use my facilities, have heard conflicting things tho, they're more used for slug repellant?, can anyone shed any light please, thanks

     

    Hi Adam, I sprinkled some on a newly prepared bed and miraculously didn't have any of the usual feline 'presents' left. As a slug deterrent however I had zero results with coffee grounds whilst my beer traps seem to be working brilliantly - every day there are a load more new victims. 

  • mike wmike w Posts: 43

    Thanks every one for your helpful comments,I will continue to use the grounds but more sparingly

    Regards

    Mike W

     

  • adam murrayadam murray Posts: 19

    Hi lorea, at the mo, i don't seem to have any 'unwanted' presents!! (so far) feel i may have tempted fate a little there tho! As for the slugs, don't seem to have that much trouble so far, but, again, i have a  feeling that fate may feel a little to tempted now image

  • Paddy5Paddy5 Posts: 82

    Thanks for the idea of coffee grouds to deter cats - we are plagued by them - digging up bulbs etc then not burying their deposit it is disgusting.  Any more deterrent ideas would be welcome !!

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