Our tomato plants sparked a big argument between me and my dad about using coffee grounds in the soil.

He says coffee grounds acidify the soil and help growth, but I read they can harm plants if not composted first, so what's the real deal?

4 comments

4 Comments

sarahb541mo ago

Tell your dad I killed two basil plants with raw coffee grounds trying to be a garden genius.

logan56121d ago

Oh man, that's rough! @lisacarter is totally right about the acidity burning everything up. Fresh grounds need to break down in compost first, or they just cook the roots. It's a super common mistake though, so don't feel too bad about it.

lisacarter1mo ago

Holy cow, raw coffee grounds?? I mean, that stuff is super acidic straight from the pot, it'll totally burn the roots! I did that once with a hydrangea and it fried the leaves overnight. You gotta compost them first to mellow them out. Idk why the internet makes it sound like a free fertilizer miracle.

cora3311mo ago

My friend lost three tomato plants trying coffee grounds straight from the pot. She did it once, never again.