Hey All, There have been various threads over the years about adding coffee grounds to your compost, or using them directly as a soil amendment. Here's an article from the OSU Extension Service on it:http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2008/Jul08/coffee.htmlIn brief: turns out that they won't really change the pH of the soil as the coffee acids are water-soluble and come out in the brew. They're great for your compost pile; a good source of nitrogen (can sub for manure) and they attract earthworms, but if you add them directly as a soil amendment, say to your veggie garden, you will want to supplement nitrogen (which is true of most un-composted organic matter supplementation) or you can get stunted plant growth. Best, Kris McN Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
On Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 12:14 PM, Kris McN wrote: <Snip> In warm weather I usually sling the top bowl on my vac pot out into the front yard before I wash it out. Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
<Snip>
Thanks Kris - I use a lot of grounds in my worm beds, and they love
it. I am sure a little residual caffeine makes them a bit wired! I
know that in terms of texture and drainage it is good. If it dries
out to much, ant will move into the compost, so I keep it covered and
a little damp.
Tom
--
!
"Great coffee comes from tiny roasters"
Sweet Maria's Home Coffee Roasting - Tom & Maria
http://www.sweetmarias.com Thompson Owen george_at_sweetmarias.com
Sweet Maria's Coffee - 1115 21st Street, Oakland, CA 94607 - USA
phone/fax: 888 876 5917 - tom_at_sweetmarias.com
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Thanks for the article on this, I always thought the grounds would alter the pH too much. I'd like to find out more on the Hotbeds being made with coffee grounds. Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
"...great for your compost pile; a good source of nitrogen (can sub for manure) and they attract earthworms, but if you add them directly as a soil amendment, " Hmmm- isn't there a certain substance sold by green coffee purveyors that could directly apply as a soil amendment? "...say to your veggie garden, you will want to supplement nitrogen-" [*Not unless you first obtain a variance from EPA or apropriate government agency*] John Q. can't just toss this parc in the garden- think of the runoff... Cheers, Mabuhay -RayO, aka Opa! -- "When the theme hits the bass, I dance the Jig!" - -Virgil Fox at the Mighty Wichita (ex- NYC Paramount) WurliTzer- 1976 Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
No variance is needed for use of Nitrogenous fertilizers in private use, and in most cases public use as well in the united States. Care should be exercised to ascertain the need for nitrogen, and the form in which it is applied. Also, be aware that most organics placed into soil should be wetted throughly at the time of application, lest they become hydrophobic. And it takes a great deal of any soil amendment to make any measurable improvement to a soil profile. It is better applied in the form of compost during dormancy to protect against any errant salt damage to fickle. That having been said, use common sense when applying any form of soil additive. Nitrogen is mobile in most all forms, and WILL move off site rapidly if not placed correctly. Stewardship is everyone's responsibility. On Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 10:01 PM, wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
I put all my grounds in the compost pile and I also get grounds from Starbucks. Larry Robert Flanery wrote: <Snip> No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.4.10/1549 - Release Date: 7/12/2008 4:31 PM Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
I only use the finest Sweet Maria's coffee grounds in my compost as I most assuredly do not wish to offend the highly developed tastes of the worms and bacteria working so diligently in my compost pile. I used to use only the finest quality Arabian horseapples but I have come to realize that Sweet Maria's coffee grounds are much more beneficial to my compost. I was involved with landscaping & lawncare for 30 years and I now only mulch my beds with compost. I grow tomato plants in large pots on my patio using only compost and my neighbors are amazed at the size and production of my plants. It is true that uncomposted & green wood chips and organic matter will draw nitrogen out of the soil and will have a negative impact on the plants. Coffee grounds are an excellent addition to compost as are egg shells and most green kitchen waste. I avoid adding rose and tomato waste and some other plants that are often diseased though most pathogens are destroyed if the pile is hot. The nitrogen added to the pile in coffee grounds helps to feed the bacteria that are breaking down the organic matter and producing the heat in the process. My compost pile when active is hot enough to burn my hand if I stick into the pile. Elliott St. Louis |
Elliot, This should have been prefixed with a spew alert warning! Dave Westerville, OH "I only use the finest Sweet Maria's coffee grounds in my compost as I most assuredly do not wish to offend the highly developed tastes of the worms and bacteria working so diligently in my compost pile. I used to use only the finest quality Arabian horseapples but I have come to realize that Sweet Maria's coffee grounds are much more beneficial to my compost." Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
Dave, Besides coffee, the only thing that I take seriously in life is death and I haven't gotten there yet! Elliott |