advice on coffee grinds, please

[HappyGreen]

I just arranged to pick up 2 boxes of coffee grinds from a cafe a week. What I've read so far people have made good experiences with adding coffee grinds for soil improvement and as a slug deterrent? Somewhere else the acidity was mentioned though as a reason for caution. Should I just add some lime to the coffee? Any hints and tips?

[Geordie]

You could try using it in the following ways:

• Sprinkle used grounds around plants before rain or watering, for a slow-release nitrogen.
• Add to compost piles to increase nitrogen balance.
• Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertilizer.
• Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee and eggshell barrier to repel pests.
• Mix it with your potting compost.

On the subject of acidity, straight coffee grounds benefit plants. When acted upon by soil microbes, coffee grounds release mostly nitrogen (N). They also release magnesium and zinc, micronutrients and amino acids. They feed earthworms; they loosen the soil; they retain water; and they release caffeine which repels slugs. But be careful!

Straight coffee grounds are also acidic, ranging in acidity from 5.0 - 3.0 pH. Used too much or too often they can burn roots of plants that dislike acidic soil. And, straight coffee grounds do not supply other essential plant macronutrients, phosphorous (P) nor potassium (K).

If you intend using large amounts straight onto the soil / plants try neutralising them with limestone and test the mix for a more neutral ph.

[NOG]

Wow what an answer.....

Go to the front of the class and take a star.

[rana]

Wow what an answer.....

I reckon those Geordies must drink a heck of a lot of coffee (and I thought they preferred Newcastle Brown).

[Bramble Lover]

Im not sure about all the technichal stuff......I just mix mine in with my compost heaps.

Get loads as I work in a cafe bar and also take all the veg peelings and waste salad.

Amazes me how the amount I take breaks down so quickly.

Doesnt seem to have done my clay soil any harm.

[zazen999]

It works well with clay, I sieve my onion and carrot beds and mix the coffee grounds in as I sieve. The next year, the clay has improved considerably and is so much easier to work.

[NOG]

It works well with clay, I sieve my onion and carrot beds and mix the coffee grounds in as I sieve. The next year, the clay has improved considerably and is so much easier to work.

As I have a dust bin full I will try that...

[sweetiepea]

As I have a dust bin full I will try that...

How long can you keep it for without using? I have quite a bit but have noticed that one tub is starting to become mouldy. Would it still be OK to use?

[Nicos]

You could try using it in the following ways:

• Sprinkle used grounds around plants before rain or watering, for a slow-release nitrogen.
• Add to compost piles to increase nitrogen balance.
• Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertilizer.
• Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee and eggshell barrier to repel pests.
• Mix it with your potting compost.

On the subject of acidity, straight coffee grounds benefit plants. When acted upon by soil microbes, coffee grounds release mostly nitrogen (N). They also release magnesium and zinc, micronutrients and amino acids. They feed earthworms; they loosen the soil; they retain water; and they release caffeine which repels slugs. But be careful!

Straight coffee grounds are also acidic, ranging in acidity from 5.0 - 3.0 pH. Used too much or too often they can burn roots of plants that dislike acidic soil. And, straight coffee grounds do not supply other essential plant macronutrients, phosphorous (P) nor potassium (K).

If you intend using large amounts straight onto the soil / plants try neutralising them with limestone and test the mix for a more neutral ph.

....my hero!!!! ..* swoons*!!!!!!



( thought that matched your top beautifully Geordie!!!!)

[OllieMartin]

So if coffee grounds provide nitrogen, which plants benefit most from that?

I'm new to this veg' growing lark, I've currently got coffee grounds, nettle tea, grow more, tomato feed, compost manure.... I'm having trouble remembering which ones to put on which plants! ('cept the tomato feed!)

[Lottieval]

Any plant which is mostly green e.g. Cabbage,lettuce, all brassicas, so mostly things which grow above ground and don't produce fruit or pods of any sort need N - nitrogen most. Plants which bear flowers and then fruit e.g. tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, peas, beans need more potassium - K and then roots e.g. parsnips, carrots, beetroot etc like more phosphorous - P as in phosphates. Plant feeds from the GC usually have the N-P-K ratio somewhere on the packet or bottle. However if you are growing in the soil you shouldn't need to overdose with fertilisers, it's best to add a general one when you prepare the ground in the winter or early spring. If you've got a lot of things in pots then the compost becomes exhausted after about 6-8 weeks and you will need to feed.
Good luck with it all, don't worry too much, just love 'em and keep them watered when they need it !

[HappyGreen]

What an answer, Geordie, thank you! I will now to use it around my cabbages, lettuces, and on new plots where I want to plant mainly potatoes to break up the clay.

[NOG]

How long can you keep it for without using? I have quite a bit but have noticed that one tub is starting to become mouldy. Would it still be OK to use?

Mine has got a bit of white mould on it..and I have kept it for six months. And I still use it no problem.

[bluemoon]

Blimey, Geordie. And to think we've just been composting it.

[NOG]

You can add it as a compost activator..