using coffee grounds as fertilizer

Question

1) I read your online article about this subject and am a little confused. Coffee grounds are referred to as “fresh” and “used”. Aren’t all coffee “used” if they have already been used to brew coffee? If they were unused, wouldn’t they just be “ground coffee”? Could you please clarify?

2) If they are used, are you advising to rinse them with water so they will not change the soil pH when used directly?

3) Can they be part of a home-made fertilizer recipe in combination with other things and, if so, do you have a recipe for that?

Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Susie

Answer 1

In most cases coffee ground would have been used/brewed though occasionally someone may have coffee grounds that were never brewed. The quantity would not be enough to change how you compost them. Most compost piles have a combination of green and brown material and moisture.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/coffee-grounds-gardening.htm

1 Tablespoon of used coffee grounds can be placed around the base of plants and worked into the soil. Watch for your plants reaction. Apply weekly.
Composting is the easiest way to use coffee ground. Place them in the compost and mix in. Turn your compost weekly.