Coffee grounds are considered “green” compost material because they add nitrogen to your soil medium. When making compost, the goal is have half of your compost content be from “green” compost materials, which you can get from many green vegetables peels and, of course, coffee grounds. The other half of the compost content should be made from “brown” compost materials which adds carbon to your soil medium. Raked up leaves are a good source of “brown” compost material. You want an even mixture of “green” and “brown” compost material in your compost bin so your compost will be ready more quickly.
5 Ways To Use Coffee Grounds
1. Add them to your compost pile to achieve a 50% mix of “green” compost material
2. Add them directly to your garden soil, mixing it in to the top 2″ of soil, or sprinkling it on top
3. Make a slug/snail barrier around plants to keep them away
4. Make a coffee ground “tea” mixing 2 cups of grounds per 5 gallons of water. Let it steep for several hours, then apply to your garden and container plants as a fertilizer
5. Add them to your worm bin. 1 cup of grounds can be added to a small worm bin per week