Can any one tell me the benifits of putting coffee grounds in your garden?

Question

I know starbucks gives away coffee grounds to put in your garden but what for? Something about nitrogen? Nitrogen gas? Doesn't nitrogen gas evaporate after 72 hours? Can't just be about the Nitrogen?

Answer 1

I know that my azaleas and hydrangeas love them (the acid). I make my own. :P

I use eggshells as well.

Answer 2

Coffee is acidic so in large amounts it will change your soil pH.
Coffee Grounds N-P-K 2-0.3-0.2 Minor
source of calcium & magnesium. Use no more than 1lb/100 sq ft unless on acid loving plants
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/groundsforgardening.html

It is best for use in alkaline soils. However you can compost it to neutralize the acidity or mix your own fertilizer with it.

Example N-P-K: _2-4-2
4 parts coffee ground
1 part bone meal
1 part wood ashes
Coffee is acidic while wood ashes are basic so this is a balanced use of the two.

Nitrogen—the N of N-P-K—The nitrogen cycle involves certain processes that change nitrogen into different forms. Organic nitrogen in materials, like dead leaves and plants, are changed into inorganic nitrogen by microorganisms (actinomycetes and fungus) in the soil. Plants take up these available forms of inorganic nitrogen ( NO3- and NH4+ ) so they can grow.
Further there are specific kinds of microorganisms living in the soil that can convert gaseous forms of nitrogen into inorganic nitrogen that plants can use.
However the form in coffee is protien so it must be digested by actinomycetes and fungus.

Answer 3

As others have said, it's primarily the acidic values of the grounds that many plants like. Composting grounds with leaves and grass clippings gives the resulting compost a nice balanced pH, too.

Earthworms love coffee grounds. However, recent research has clearly shown that too many coffee grounds can cause nervousness and irritability in earthworms, which may lead to wild earthworm parties after hours. It can keep you up all night.

Answer 4

Sprinkling coffee grounds around your plants before you water or just before it rains can produce a slow-releasing nitrogen that is healthy for your garden. You can also dilute coffee to produce a mild, fast-acting fertilizer.”
circle the base of the plant with a coffee and eggshell barrier to repel pests, feed a little bit to your worms.” ( my grandma always did this). Tea and tea bags are good for this as well. Acid loving plants like it because it is very acidic.

Answer 5

My uncle puts his used coffee grounds, along with egg shells and some other things in a small bag to make compost for his garden. He has a great garden!!

Answer 6

Coffee grounds will repell stray cats

Answer 7

The worms eat it & produce needed fertilizer & aerate your soil giving your plants roots room to grow.

Answer 8

Yeah- it gets rid of your old coffee grounds - lol!

Answer 9

Earthworms love coffe grounds..earthworms...healthy soil

Answer 10

It helps the plants grow!!!!!!!!!!!