Coffee grounds????

[RomanX]

I've read mention of adding coffee grounds to soil to improve : the soil (for flower / veggie beds) and/or the flavor of tomatoes / veggies. I've also read that the coffee plant has allopathic tendencies, so do NOT add coffee grounds.

I have tomato containers, as well as a flower bed (still amending red clay soil, and I would swear there was a layer of caliche, too., if I wasn't in the wrong area! ).

Can (should) I add coffee grounds in my containers?? in my flower bed??

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by RomanX

I've read mention of adding coffee grounds to soil to improve : the soil (for flower / veggie beds) and/or the flavor of tomatoes / veggies. I've also read that the coffee plant has allopathic tendencies, so do NOT add coffee grounds.

I have tomato containers, as well as a flower bed (still amending red clay soil, and I would swear there was a layer of caliche, too., if I wasn't in the wrong area! ).

Can (should) I add coffee grounds in my containers?? in my flower bed??

I use coffee grounds 2 ways. 1st way is in my compost and hugelkultur beds. The second way is a top dressing on the ground before I cover it with mulch. It seems to work great for me. Worms love it and worm activity helps condition the soil.

[BigVanVader]

They work wonders. Ignore any info stating otherwise.

[creister]

I've used them for several years as compost ingredients or directly on the soil, covered with mulch.

[ScottinAtlanta]

Me. too. More than 1000 pounds so far this winter. Great composting nitrogen - my compost heap was so hot 4 days after mixing 15 gallons of coffee grounds that I literally could not push my hand into the center without pain. All those shredded leaves and branches turning to dark crumbly soil for my toms.

[peppero]

It is good stuff.

jon

Starbucks gives it away so this tea drinker can get buckets of coffee grounds. I thought mulching my vegetables with it would scare the deer off. It didn't.

[jmsieglaff]

I'm glad to hear this. I've been collecting my own coffee grounds all winter and sprinkling a layer on the bed I'll be planting lettuce into this spring (after loosely working them into the top couple inches of soil). I was thinking the N would be good for the lettuce and wonder if slugs won't like crawling across them.

[PhilaGardener]

Originally Posted by RomanX

I've also read that the coffee plant has allopathic tendencies

As long as the coffee grounds have been used to brew coffee first, I think most of those compounds have been eluted

[drew51]

Yeah it is just an organic fertilizer like say alfalfa, another of my favorites because it is high in nitrogen and cheap!

[Gardeneer]

I personally consider coffee ground as a good soil amendment either in the pile or directly mixed into the beds. I won't depend on its immediate fertilizing value. YMMV

[drew51]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

I personally consider coffee ground as a good soil amendment either in the pile or directly mixed into the beds. I won't depend on its immediate fertilizing value. YMMV

I agree it's not like cottonseed meal. Still it's good for compost too to mix with carbon, like leaves. Get's the process going well.
I go through enough I do have to consider the nitrogen content. I try to spread it evenly everywhere in the garden. I try to use more with heavy feeders like onions, corn, etc.

NPK
coffee 2.1-.3-.3. Certainly heavy in nitrogen.
Alfalfa 2-1-2 (nice balance!)
worm castings 3.2-1.1-1.5
cottonseed 5-2-1
Plant-tone 5-3-3
Tomato Tone 3-4-6

[rhines81]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

I'm glad to hear this. I've been collecting my own coffee grounds all winter and sprinkling a layer on the bed I'll be planting lettuce into this spring (after loosely working them into the top couple inches of soil). I was thinking the N would be good for the lettuce and wonder if slugs won't like crawling across them.

Place a few shallow bowls in your garden so that the rims are even with the soil. Add some beer (use the cheap stuff). Slugs come for the party and don't leave.