Coffee Grinds

[NorthernJeff]

Hi THP world,
 
Quick question: Has anyone found it worthwhile & helpful to mix/sprinkle used coffee grinds into your hot pepper plants soil?

We have an espresso machine, and bean grinder here at home on a regular basis, and there's no shortage of used coffee grinds.  I'm wondering if the slightly acidic medium could help the soil with nutrients, and also bring the PH down naturally a little (since the water going in is around 7.6-7.8.
 
Thoughts?  Thanks!

 

[rickster]

i add coffee grounds to the compost pile. never tried putting around the plant

 

[solid7]

Second that.  If a coffee ground has any value as a top dressing, it has exponential value when composted.

 

[SavinaRed]

I do both and add coffee to my compost as well as my topsoil especially with my blueberries.

 

[FiresOfNil]

Used coffee grounds are significantly less acidic - almost neutral - but they do add a decent boost nitrogen uncomposted.
But as a pH amendment it is unlikely that you will see a swing one way or the other. Hope that helps!

Oh and I remembered - grounds can also discourage some soil borne pests.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[dragonsfire]

I have added them to the top and a couple days ago I mixed in a half gallon to my next soil mix.

 

[ShowMeDaSauce]

I mix coffee grinds with my soil mix. Nutrient wise its not much but it helps the soil drain better in pots. Best of all its free and i have plenty of it by spring time.

 

[Noah Yates]

I feed them to my worms, which in turn feed them to my plants.

 

[moruga welder]

I feed them to my worms, which in turn feed them to my plants.

+ 1- worms,worms,worms, I get them by the 3 gal. buckets ( coffee grounds that is )  from local restaurants as well as home .     

 

[U)<now]

This video talks about the use of both coffee grounds and Epsom salts in depth with soil testing to back up the findings.

 

[solid7]

Oh and I remembered - grounds can also discourage some soil borne pests.

 
In fairness, though - compost does, also. (and probably way better)

Any organic matter added to the soil is great at discouraging nematodes. (which don't tend to be a huge problem in peppers) 

 

[NinjaR]

This video talks about the use of both coffee grounds and Epsom salts in depth with soil testing to back up the findings.

It's not that Epsom salt and coffee grounds can't help; it's just likely they won't.  There are exceptions to this.  If your soil is deficient in magnesium or sulfur, Epsom salt won't immediately fix a deficiency, but it will help with it over time.  Coffee grounds will add a bit of nutrition and organic matter to the beds.

Neither are the wonder fixes they're often touted to be, though.  I compost all coffee grounds...it doesn't hurt to add them directly to a bed, but it's not likely have an immediate or significant effect.

I see Epsom salt promoted as a spritz, added to beds when planting, and as a magic cure-all so often, I was compelled to create this a while back:

 

[Powelly]

Can't beat a bit of magnesium sulfate induced complete bowel irrigation from reverse osmosis

 

[U)<now]

I see Epsom salt promoted as a spritz, added to beds when planting, and as a magic cure-all so often, I was compelled to create this a while back:

 

[solid7]

It's not that Epsom salt and coffee grounds can't help; it's just likely they won't.  There are exceptions to this.  If your soil is deficient in magnesium or sulfur, Epsom salt won't immediately fix a deficiency, but it will help with it over time.  Coffee grounds will add a bit of nutrition and organic matter to the beds.

Neither are the wonder fixes they're often touted to be, though.  I compost all coffee grounds...it doesn't hurt to add them directly to a bed, but it's not likely have an immediate or significant effect.

I see Epsom salt promoted as a spritz, added to beds when planting, and as a magic cure-all so often, I was compelled to create this a while back:

Given the choice between coffee grounds and Epsom Salt, I'd say that coffee grounds do more good than Epsom salts. Most people don't even know why they're applying Epsom. (or even what's in it)

You can never go wrong with adding quality organic matter to compost. And coffee grounds are some of the best compost.

PS - sorry about your kids and the 2nd grade. On the bright side, if they haven't made it out by age 21, they'll automatically graduate.

 

[Tarzan]

I have used coffee grounds last year. I mixed a lot of that stuff into the compost and later sprinkled more on top. I've had the best chili season so far. It's true though, that I also used more compost than ever before and we've had excellent weather.
 
I throw most on my blueberries and rhododendrons. I am going to use some on my chilies this year as well. And worms love it.

 

[TNKS]

coffee grounds are great for top dressing in ground or buckets(including the filter paper)

 

[Geonerd]

A few years back I tried using a LOT of 'raw' coffee grounds as part of my potting soil mix.  
You really don't want to do that to your plants.....  
 
A few percent, mixed in or sprinkled on top, is fine.  IMO, 5% or greater is asking for trouble.  Better to save them for your worm farm.
 
Most Starbucks are happy to give you their used coffee.  Stop by at closing time with a big bucket. They'll actually thank you for saving them the job of bagging and tossing the stuff.  Some stores collect and give away bags of the stuff.