Question: I just read that, contrary to what we think, it is not advisable to add coffee grounds to the soil in vegetable gardens nor to compost piles, because they’re too acidic. And that this acidity makes them especially harmful to earthworms. What do you think?
Christiane G.
Answer: Oh, the nonsense you see on the Internet sometimes!
On their own, coffee grounds are only slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.2 to 6.8, depending on their source. And a pH of 6.0 to 6.9 is considered ideal for garden soils. So they’re smack dab perfect! What more could you ask for?
Now, true enough, as coffee grounds decompose, their pH may drop temporarily before going back up again, but the pH of most compost ingredients rises and falls like a yo-yo during decomposition before inevitably settling in just the right range. That’s just how composting works and it’s nothing to be concerned about.
You never need to worry about the pH of kitchen and garden residues you add to the compost bin at any rate. The microbes in the composter will break them down, regardless of their original pH. It’s just not a problem.
Adding Grounds to the Ground?
But can you safely add coffee grounds directly to the vegetable garden? Why not? Their pH, as discussed, is fine and they’ll supply the plants with nutrients as they decompose, notably nitrogen. Just use them in moderation, though. If you apply grounds as a thick mulch, it will tend to form an impenetrable crust, reducing air circulation and water penetration to the roots below.
Worms Love Them
As for earthworms, I can assure you they love coffee grounds. Back when I used to do worm composting, I regularly added coffee grounds to the bin and it was one of their favorite foods. Of course, don’t supply worms with only coffee grounds: they need a variety of plant residues to ensure good health. Instead, use grounds in moderation, at a rate of not more than 20% of the volume.
In conclusion, there is really no problem in recycling coffee grounds by using them in the garden, in the compost bin or even feeding them to worms.
And cross the site where you found this information off your list of recommended Web sites: obviously, they don’t do their research!
No Miracles Either
As for the so-called miraculous qualities of coffee grounds (they’re said to ward off harmful insects, prevent soil diseases, etc.), they’re just an old garden myth. Coffee grounds are simply a compostable waste like any other, neither better nor worse. Read The Truth About Coffee Grounds to learn more.
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We only dump coffee into the compost because we take buckets of it from the kitchens. It is not the miracle that some think it is though. Our soil is naturally slightly alkaline, but much of the landscapes are within redwood forest, which produces a lot of acidic foliar litter. The landscapes somehow adapt to what they get. In the end, we can still get some hydrangeas to be pink, and others to be blue. In some regions, the soil is so alkaline that bluing them is not practical.
It is always interesting what gardening folks take away from an article they read. Good thing you can keep us all on the straight and narrow. 🙂
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