The Easy Way To Get Free Coffee Grounds For All Your Home & Garden Projects

In addition to making a tasty cup of morning joe, there are numerous clever uses for coffee grounds around the house and garden. From composting to cleaning, the handy byproduct is used to help with all kinds of tasks. But if you are not drinking dozens of pots of coffee each day, you may be wondering how to obtain enough coffee grounds to begin with. Fortunately, there is an easy solution: Starbucks. That's right -– the coffee chain does not just offer drink concoctions, it also gives out free used coffee grounds through its "Grounds for Your Garden" program at select locations. 

So, what can used coffee grounds do? Well, they are most used in various gardening projects, like making compost, mulch, and fertilizer. The high residual caffeine content also makes the grounds ideal for killing weeds and pest control when used in mulch. Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and micronutrients that are all good in varying combinations for helping many types of plants when used in compost or fertilizers.

Coffee grounds have a fascinating array of uses outside of the garden, as well. They are used as a natural dye (for clothing or to repair scratches in furniture), to exfoliate and clean skin, to scour stubborn dishes, to clean your fireplace, and even to get rid of funky odors in your refrigerator.

While stopping by Starbucks makes it incredibly easy to get free used coffee grounds, it is far from the only resource available. Do not fret if you do not live near a store (or if they have already given theirs out for the day). The next most logical place to try is another coffee shop; sometimes local shops even have a similar program.

Beyond that, just think about the places that make a lot of coffee each day. Check out gas stations, restaurants, hotels, your uncleaned office coffee machine, and even college cafeterias (students thrive on caffeine, after all). For additional options, get creative. Ask your neighbors directly, hop on local forums, or reach out to local gardening clubs or regional composting programs.

If you are asking businesses, groups, or neighbors for their coffee grounds, be polite when asking and make sure you have a large bag or bucket for collection and transport. Only ask the businesses and groups during off-hours when things are slower and even consider giving them a few bucks for their time.

While used coffee grounds are an excellent value all-around, there are a few hazards to keep in mind. The most important thing to know is that grounds are toxic to pets, especially dogs. The high caffeine content in grounds can cause issues like elevated blood pressure, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, organ failure, or even death. We want to keep our furry friends safe, so be sure to keep all coffee grounds safely tucked away. 

Additionally, utilize caution when using grounds in your gardening projects, as there are right and wrong ways to do so. Since used coffee grounds contain caffeine, and have allelopathic properties, they discourage plant germination and growth. While this makes for an effective way to handle weeds, it will not really do anything to help the plants you like (select herbs, flowers, and vegetables) grow and thrive when used on its own – it needs to be mixed into compost or mulch. 

As previously noted, grounds can be used in mulch and compost, but if you do not apply it correctly, your plants may suffer. As a general rule, at least to start with, apply monthly, only use a thin layer, ideally mix with organic material (this would be compost or mulch, to balance soil nutrients), and watch your plants to see how they respond so you can continue or adjust accordingly.