I used to dump mine around my roses and they love it (filters and all). I know that worms love coffee grounds and in my opinion, the more worms you have, the happier your plants are. It's possible that your soil may become more acidic from this, and I'm not real sure about that, but if you spread them thinly I wouldn't think you'd have any huge ph change. I need to start spreading mine around again.

I read somewhere years ago that azaleas liked 'em.

I think everything loves coffee grounds and though they might be slightly acidic this can be overcome with a small amount of lime.

I pick up 14 and 18-gallon rubbermaid bins from a Starbucks in Midtown Atlanta, and take them out to a garden in the WestEnd (motherclydecommunitygarden on yahoo groups).

I've never tested the acidity of them, but I do know from my Master Gardener class that they contain an optimum ratio of carbon to nitrogen. Too much carbon, and the soil is robbed of it by bacteria, since nitrogen is a component of proteins and proteins are a component of enzymes used in all sorts of physiological processes.

And yes, earthworms love them. Mix in some crushed eggshells (earthworms need calcium for their metabolism) and coffee grounds, and WALLAH, instant worm banquet! And best of all, the earthworms might get some of the leftover coffee grounds, so they get addicted and will want to stay (as long as you keep supplying a fresh supply of grounds, or otherwise they will migrate to our garden). :)

also, slugs hate them. my hostas are very pleased about this.

if you wanted to start a compost, this would be the way to do it. compost with lots of coffee grounds finishes faster because of the acid and moisture. we go through 4 pots a day at my house, so I know whereof i speak:)

I just save my own coffee grounds and spread them around. I had not heard that slugs don't like coffee grounds. Hmmm!! That's certainly good news.

This may be a stupid question, but could you use unused coffee grinds? We don't really drink coffee, but we have a few old bags in the cabinet.

Thanks!

Heavenscent, I don't know about unused grounds, but most Starbucks are happy to provide you with all the grounds you need. I have even seen a sign up promoting this fact at the one on Winward parkway.

I've also heard the same for used teabags? For acid loving plants?