Coffee grounds really make good plant fertilizer?

Question

I heard it really works, but I'm afraid I'll wind up killing my plants.

Has anyone tried this, or know if it works? On all kinds of plants?

Answer 1

It's good for acid-loving plants, like Roses, Azaleas & blueberries. I lightly sprinkle the grounds around the base of these plants to deter slugs, also. You can scratch it into the soil so it doesn't compact when it has accumulated. It also helps the soil retain moisture.

A lab test analysis showed that: "the grounds provide generous amounts of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and copper.
They also release nitrogen into the soil as they degrade."
The full report is here:
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/garden/edible/article/0,20633,1208232,00.html

Rose gardeners reported coffee grounds make their roses larger & more colorful. Adding it to compost piles increases nitrogen balance. Encircling plants with coffee grounds & eggshells makes a barrier to repel pests.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/181467/coffee_grounds_and_your_garden.html

Starbucks saves & packages its used coffee grounds for gardeners.
Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Coffe grounds have some nitrogen, and pottasium and calcium. They make a great organic fertilizer, like all organic fertilizers they have to be digested by the soil microbes before the nutrients are available to plants.
Used coffee grounds have a neutral PH the acid being flushed out during brewing. They give the yard a wonderfull smell too. To many coffee grounds can repll water so use sparingly with a total organic program for best results.

Answer 3

Different studies have shown wide disparages in the actual NPK content of used coffee grounds. Maybe the difference in the roast? Anyway these different tests have arrived at figures from 2 percent to as much as 33 percent nitrogen. What they all agree on is that coffee grounds are acid and if used in excessive amounts can change the pH of your soil. They are good for retaining moisture, improving tilth and earthworms love them, so use them on your garden, but sparingly. They do however, make an excellent addition to your compost.

Answer 4

Coffee and tea grounds are great for plants, and are a must have for any compost pile. Coffee grounds can be applied directly to a garden's acid loving plants such as azaleas, roses or hydrangeas. While coffee grounds may be acidic, adding leaves and dried grass can reduce this acidity. Your local gardening expert can help you decide what is best for your garden.

Answer 5

As a matter of fact, I have used coffee grounds- and diluted coffee- on my plants. And they just slurp it up. About the only thing you really have to watch is that your soil doesn't get too acidic.

Answer 6

Coffee grounds are good and so are eggshells or banana peels, mix them into the dirt.

I find it easier however to top off my plants with a good topsoil yearly and giving plants a cocktail of miracle grow at least monthly.

Good luck!! Happy growing!! : )

Answer 7

I use them all the time ,,but be careful ,,mine get all wired up if I give them too much.,,,lol,,,,,Seriously,,,,I do put them on my plants,,,,seems to help hold the moisture in,,,,haven't killed any plants yet,

Answer 8

Yes but do not use too much! just sprinkle around soil.

Answer 9

Apparently it doesn't do much.