Used coffee grounds!!!????!?!

Brie

Ok so I met a friend for a coffee in a place that's a bit artisan. Coffee was ok, cake too.

But at the till there was a big bag of used coffee grounds - free to take away with the note that it's "good for your garden". Being very MSE I of course nabbed my free bag.

Yes but good for what? And how does one use it?? Do I mix it in some compost? At what ratio? Sprinkle it randomly on the soil in the borders? Cast it across the lawn???

I'm assuming it's safe for the birds and cats that tend to dig up my plants.

Flugelhorn

I add it to compost - it is "green" and a few bags get the thing going nicely

sheslookinhot

Sprinkle round flowers/ plants and it will keep the slugs/snails away.

teaselMay

It's good added to compost. I've never dared in our back garden because the dogs scrump in the garden and have been known to eat compost, it wouldn't be great for them if they ate much. I'm planning to start using it when we get our allotment (next week!) because there'll be a bigger dilution volume of compost and much less risk of them eating more than a tiny amount.

Farway

Beware, can be overdone if added as thick mulch for instance. And double check, caffeine is toxic to cats

Brie

Thanks all - I don't compost so that's not an issue and if it's toxic for cats I'll just use some in the planters as the current cat selection doesn't seem to fuss with them at all.

Slinky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986559#Comment_81986559

I've just checked, and AI says it's toxic for dogs also.

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986713#Comment_81986713

Thanks for the update. No dogs but maybe it is for foxes too? We certainly get them in the garden occasionally. Anyways - I shall proceed with caution.

Newbie_John

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986559#Comment_81986559

Good for those with cat infestation!

twopenny

It's essentially nitrogen I believe so not too much.

I tried it for slugs but it made no difference.

What did was circling with soot (old traditional gardener's advice). But needs replacing after heavy rain. Again nitrogen rich so only for leafy plants like brassicas.

What worked with one off application is sheep's wool. I collect it in Spring from fences and fields. I have kept it afterwards and used it the following year

Silvertabby

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986751#Comment_81986751

Toxic doesn't mean deterrent.

Our own cat is an indoor pedigree, with en-suite facilities, but I still don't plant lillies or use anything toxic in my garden because I won't be the cause of someone else's beloved pet suffering a horrendous death.