It turns out that coffee's nitrogen, an essential nutrient that plants need to grow, is not readily available in the grounds immediately after brewing. In order to provide any real value to plants, these grounds need some time to break down in a compost pile.
Gardeners also warn: "Coffee grounds are highly acidic so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers."
How to use coffee grounds instead:
1. Add them to your compost pile.
2. Make a compost tea.
3. Just turn them into a body scrub next time?
(Discovery) Photo: Getty/PamWalker68