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Coffee in soil #588858

Asked August 13, 2019, 6:02 PM EDT

Hello! I was gifted (as in, someone offloaded a stash) 12 lbs of ground organic coffee that has "higher palmitic acid and higher in caffeine." It is absolutely and positively undrinkable so we would like to be able to use it in our garden. We have blueberry plants and Endless Summer hydrangeas that I know like acid, but we are unclear if we can put some of the coffee right near the plants, if we should mix it all (!) in our compost bin. We have a high concentration of clay in our soil and we grow both edibles and inedibles. My Master Gardener friends keep telling me to connect with this site - I am hoping that someone will advise us on how to best use this coffee in our gardens. Thank you so much in advance, Warm regards, Dawn Butler<personal data hidden>

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

The only research I can find deals with used coffee grounds. It sounds like your have not been used. Used coffee grounds can be used lightly mixed in to a compost pile. They do not make the soil more acidic. I suggest you read all the way through both the links I am giving you. Personally I would just add a little over time to a compost pile or on top of the soil as mulch. When used as a mulch, a very fine layer covered by organic mulch.  https://blog-yard-garden-news.extension.umn.edu/2019/05/myth-or-miracle-coffee-grounds.html     https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/coffee-grounds.pdf
Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied August 13, 2019, 8:14 PM EDT

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