These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

FAQ #23225

Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts

I'm thinking of sprinkling my used coffee grounds around my perennials, annuals, and wildflowers. What are the benefits to doing this, and is there any harm in using them?

Related resource areas: Gardens, Lawns & Landscapes

Starbucks coffee has publicized the use of coffee grounds in the garden. Sprinkling grounds over the soil is fine. No one has come up with research stating exactly how much to use.

According to the University of Illinois:
"Coffee grounds are considered organic matter and can be used as a soil additive if rinsed thoroughly. Avoid using fresh grounds or grounds with coffee flavor and color still present."

The best way to use the coffee grounds would be to compost them with other items and use the finished product in the garden.

Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.

Comments

Subscribe to this page's comments

Post a comment about this topic

Please keep comments on topic. To ask a question, please use Ask an Expert. All comments are held for moderation. Comments that include profanity, personal attacks or other inappropriate material will not be posted to the site.

Did you find this page useful?

No one has rated this article yet. Why not be the first? what is this?
not useful
very useful
 1  2  3  4  5

This resource area was created by the:

Consumer Horticulture

community

Copad_horticulture

Resource Area Feeds

In This Resource Area

Resource Area Tags

beef cattle corn cotton industry dairy cattle disasters diversity entrepreneurship family caregiving fire ants flower gardening flowers herb gardens horses horticultural pests human-wildlife relations integrated pest management master gardener ornamental shrubs ornamental trees parenting personal finance plant diseases and disorders plant selection plant-insect relations science science education soybeans swine trees and shrubs vegetable and herb gardening vegetable gardens weeds wildlife damage management