Coffee Grinds! Vote 2014,

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ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418510151	Reply with quote #1

Hey everyone! I resently read a posting by a felow member stating "time to look for used coffee grinds and ash " and these are not the exact words but will do for now,so I ran a search on the coffee grind idea and came out more confused ! Having vast quantities of them available I was wandering if all of You Laydies and Gents who have tried hands on using them could cast a simple vote, YES, NO or NEUTRAL and the exact question is" would you use coffee grinds on your own fig trees" ! No explanation necessary but welcome if You think is needed! Thanks for Your time and vote! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

Mario_1

Registered:1398299123
Posts: 407

Posted 1418510536	Reply with quote #2

Back in Italy, before I came to America 1958, I remember people putting their coffe grind and ashes in their flower pots. Not sure the reason . __________________ Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy

Charlie

Registered:1404043833
Posts: 1,214

Posted 1418510707	Reply with quote #3

I would come closer to using them in blueberries, being acidic. I don't know why acidic components are used in fig media, was a thought I had earlier today. Worms like coffee grinds and Oyster mushrooms grow in them pretty well. What's the theory in fig use? I must have missed it. __________________ Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1418510915 · Edited	Reply with quote #4

ChrisK, I use coffee grounds as an ant deterrent, but it adds nutrients to compost and soil. There are dozens of topic on the forum on its use, like the following http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/coffee-grounds-6104574 . Good Luck. <edit> My Vote is Yes, used in moderation. Coffee Grounds... http://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/cffee07.pdf There's lots of published positive information, technical publications, research papers and documentation on the Internet about the use of Coffee Grounds and Wood Ash in Gardening, simply put it to the test for yourself. Here's another publication on Coffee Grounds, http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/horticultural%20myths_files/Myths/Coffee%20grounds.pdf . http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/index.html Wood Ash... http://extension.oregonstate.edu/wasco/sites/default/files/mastergardeners/newsletters/documents/NovDec_000.pdf

donpaid

Registered:1388952715
Posts: 216

Posted 1418510939	Reply with quote #5

I've always heard used coffee grinds and ash are good for plants. I never personally tried it myself. I wonder if mixing used coffee grounds with the growing medium for cuttings will be beneficial at all...they're about the right size for a good growing medium...hmmmm..I'm curious now...

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1418511430	Reply with quote #6

Chris, you are mentioning and interesting combination coffee grounds and ashes. Coffee grounds are acidic (low ph) and wood ashes are basic (high PH). So maybe added together they may neutralize each other? Many people add lime which is basic to their soils for figs. Last year I added ashes from my wood stove to my potting mix for up-potting and the trees grew and look OK. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418511877	Reply with quote #7

Thank you all for your input. Pete Yes on using them around the base of in ground trees as a natural ant deterant! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1418512415 · Edited	Reply with quote #8

It's a bad idea to use coffee or coffee grounds in a potted plant. I cant tell you how many nice office plants I have seen killed by some "dough head" dumping his cold coffee into the nearest potted plant.

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418513022 · Edited	Reply with quote #9

Pino thanks bud! I was just mentioning a statement I read not my opinion hence the confusion. Lol thanks Rich, I DO NOT want to be a Dough head ! Thanks for the first clear vote man! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1418513179	Reply with quote #10

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisK Pino thanks bud! I was just mentioning a statement I read not my opinion hence the confusion. Lol thanks Rich, I DO NOT want to be a Doug head ! Thanks for the first clear vote man! It's " dough head".

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418513418	Reply with quote #11

Sorry missed an h! Hard to cook and type at the same time! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1418513518	Reply with quote #12

Yes. I would not hesitate to add coffee grounds to trees or plants in ground. Well, maybe not every plant, some like Gojis would get pretty mad at you. __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418514278	Reply with quote #13

Thanks Don! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

Otmani007

Registered:1404531079
Posts: 573

Posted 1418514535	Reply with quote #14

Been using coffee grounds in my garden for several years. I used them mainly on my roses and I can attest that they make my roses bloom non-stop from approximately May through December. As a matter of fact, most Starbucks stores have a program called "Grounds for your garden". At those stores, Starbucks offers free coffee grounds to anybody who requests them. I usually pick one large bag once a week. The store in my area, you can just walk in & help yourself with as many bags as you wish. __________________ Dallas, TX - Zone 8a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanche, Brogiotto Bianco, Sicilian White, Panache Otmani

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418515147	Reply with quote #15

Thanks again Pete, I sure will! Thanks Otmani! That is where I got mine also! Packed very neatly in aluminum bags! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1418515690	Reply with quote #16

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisK Sorry missed an h! Hard to cook and type at the same time! What's on the menu Chef?

figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 834

Posted 1418516208	Reply with quote #17

My vote is yes to the coffee grounds, so long as they are from organically grown coffee. Too many pesticides otherwise. It would take a lot of grounds to affect ph. I also use wood ashes in my garden. They should be hardwood ashes. I sift them with an old flour sifter. A little goes a long way. Adds potassium, and also works to kill slugs and snails. __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418516300	Reply with quote #18

Thought You d never ask ;) Attached Images image.jpg (750.03 KB, 47 views) __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1418516542	Reply with quote #19

Coffee grounds are good for the compost bin and pile, they age with the rest of the ingredients.

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1418517606	Reply with quote #20

Liquid coffee is quite acidic (PH5ish) but the grounds are generally near neutral and are very good for the plants.

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418518378 · Edited	Reply with quote #21

Gary Mixed in with the soil or surface(coffee and ashes)? Waynea A good friend of mine told me the exact same thing ,for use on veggies but I guess same for figs! Will Makes sense ! Thanks for your vote gentlemen! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

Hershell

Registered:1396922438
Posts: 650

Posted 1418518614	Reply with quote #22

Coffee grounds. I vote yes __________________ Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418518954	Reply with quote #23

Thanks neighbor! How s Ray City tonight? __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 834

Posted 1418519145	Reply with quote #24

Hey Chris. The grounds usually go into my compost pile or on the ground around my Rhododendrons. The ashes get worked into the soil as a fertilizer at planting, but on top around things like lettuce to kill slugs and snails. A thin band around the bed protects it. The silica cuts snails and slugs when they go over it, and kills them. __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

Hershell

Registered:1396922438
Posts: 650

Posted 1418519168 · Edited	Reply with quote #25

It is chilly outside but warm in the dome. I was working in Milton a few weeks ago and it was nice there. __________________ Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418519443	Reply with quote #26

No doubt , it was 27 F this morning, went up to 58 by 3 . Around 70 over my cuttings though! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418520150	Reply with quote #27

Thanks Gary, very valuable information! We grow a small strawberry patch and the slugs have a party with it every year! I ll definitely try your method this year! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1418520283 · Edited	Reply with quote #28

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisK Thought You d never ask ;) K' then. But what about the baked Idaho with sour cream and butter

ejp3

Registered:1193140374
Posts: 668

Posted 1418520382	Reply with quote #29

I mix them with my leaves and other organic matter and let them decompose over the winter. By May the pile is like "black gold". I vote yes. __________________ Ed NY zone 7 Wish list CDD Blanca/Negra

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418520781	Reply with quote #30

Lol The steak was chewy,the asparagus stringy and the taters cold and Mrs K blames the forum! If you don't hear from me for a while it meens I'm in exile or worst! Thanks guys for all your votes and have a great night! Ps Keep the votes coming! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1418520948	Reply with quote #31

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisK Lol The steak was chewy,the asparagus stringy and the taters cold and Mrs K blames the forum! If you don't hear from me for a while it meens I'm in exile or worst! Thanks guys for all your votes and have a great night! Ps Keep the votes coming! Before the next time you go to the store to buy meat call me.

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418521023	Reply with quote #32

Thanks Ed! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418521098	Reply with quote #33

Will do ,thanks Chef __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

Bevman

Registered:1405028595
Posts: 79

Posted 1418527300 · Edited	Reply with quote #34

Raw coffee grounds are not good for every plant because there is a naturally occurring trace herbicide in them. Never put them on tomatoes. Some plants it can kill, but mostly it will stunt the growth or fruiting capability. I do not know how it could effect figs. Composting it leaves no trace of this, and makes the composting process of other materials faster because of there high nitrogen content. They also have lots of other trace elements beneficial to plants. As for as compost made with coffee grounds, it is what my first two fig trees are growing in. I got these two single stem rooted cuttings in April. The one I planted in a 10 gallon pot and it grew like crazy but no figs from it, but the other I planted in a half of a 55 gallon plastic barrel, filled the bottom 8 inches with coffee grounds, then filled the rest with my compost and peat mixture. 23 figs from it this year but they came to late and I had to cut them off so I could put the tree to bed for the winter. Coffee grounds should never be put into the trash headed for the land fill. They have been attributed to the number one cause of green house gas production. You see, when you compost on top of the soil, the bacteria & microbes that breakdown the materials also use oxygen, (aerobic bacteria) and they do not produce the bad gases. In a land fill, they do not have oxygen to use so the breakdown is done by the anaerobic bacteria and these produce the bad greenhouse gases. The links I have seen posted by others are very good and tell the story well. A little about me, I work for a large commercial coffee machine manufacturer, and we produce a lot of used grounds in our testing and research department. We also have coffee available for the employees. ALL the grounds, about 100 pounds a week, go home with me for my garden and composting piles. I do not want to see them in the trash. __________________ Arthur, Saint Louis CO, MO (Z 6B)

COGardener

Registered:1357441505
Posts: 814

Posted 1418527672	Reply with quote #35

I have not used ash, but I ad coffee ground to my compost and to new raised beds in the garden.

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418527718	Reply with quote #36

Very interesting Bevman! Are both fig cuttings(trees) of the same variety? __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418528343	Reply with quote #37

Bevman I just went to check my C Hardy and I can definitely get a cutting for you! PM me an address if you're interested ! You ll probably get a few figs from it this coming season! Attached Images image.jpg (51.02 KB, 12 views) image.jpg (66.66 KB, 15 views) image.jpg (63.30 KB, 12 views) __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

Bevman

Registered:1405028595
Posts: 79

Posted 1418529561	Reply with quote #38

Wood ashes are also very good for the garden, but never add coal ash or charcoal briquets ash which also contains coal. Never add painted wood ash to your garden because the paint may have contained lead or other harmful material. Wood ashes are also called potash. Never add them to your compost pile, but add directly to your soil. Adding them to your compost slows the compost process, and so does adding lime to your pile. During the process of composting above ground, the microbes and bacteria excreat acids that help breakdown the materials. If you add ash or lime you neutralize those acids. If you want to add something in addition too the plant / organic materials to your compost, add sand or materials like Azomite to it. The acids will help release the locked up trace elements in both of them. Also the worms that come into your pile when it cools down need the grit for there life processes. I have a very old book that was handed down to me, that is all about gardening, and what to add to soils to fix them, which wood ash to add and which trace elements they contained. It is a gold mine of information but not my only source. __________________ Arthur, Saint Louis CO, MO (Z 6B)

Bevman

Registered:1405028595
Posts: 79

Posted 1418530816	Reply with quote #39

Both fig trees came from Gurney and they called them ever bearing, but they also said it was a Brown Turkey. I have made four air layers from them and gave them to some friends. I currently have five miniature cuttings (See post I made on those) in a pot and three have sprouted and the other two look like they too will leaf. A friend at work brought me fresh figs in September of 2013, these were my first and I was hooked. I have had fig cookies and dried figs before but never a fresh one. I have since begged her for a cutting, because she never does anything to her old tree but put two feet of mulch on the ground around it, and has had it for over 30 years. She got the cutting from her husbands grandpas tree, and he brought the cutting that made it from Italy when he immigrated to America in the early 1900's. She told me she has tried several times to give me and other relatives cuttings but they always failed for her. That is when I realized she was trying to root them herself. I told her I just wanted a stick and I would root it myself, but I also told her how to air layer using my clam shell coffee cup method and she had four successful layers and gave me one a couple weeks ago before the deep cold week set in here. So now I currently have a second type of unknown fig. __________________ Arthur, Saint Louis CO, MO (Z 6B)

Bevman

Registered:1405028595
Posts: 79

Posted 1418531676	Reply with quote #40

I type slow and just finished my other post and now see your generous offer ChrisK, and I say thank you, and will PM you. I guess my slow gardening winter is going to get busy, because I also bought that great offer ADelmanto offered of (I am offering 20 package of these as a cold hardy collection. Nyack (2) Orangeburg (6) Sorrento (4) Westfield (6). This is a total of 18 cuttings for $25. PM me if interested.) They are not here yet but I think they will be soon. Some will go to the fridge and others to begin rooting. If my rooting success continues, with them, I will be able to share more with others, and spread the FIGS4FUN madness, that has now infested me. But it is a good madness. __________________ Arthur, Saint Louis CO, MO (Z 6B)

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1418535981	Reply with quote #41

I put coffee grounds in my compost, but I would not put it directly onto fig trees as dressing. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1418536140	Reply with quote #42

YES!!! Besides all the good you already heard I see one more thing, FILLER... This hobby of ours can get pricey with trying so many different soil mixtures, soil-less mixtures or what ever new combination we read about... I probably go through about 3-4 of the 3lb cans of coffee a year, might not be allot but if you can get extra from a coffee shop for free, that'd make a nice pile... That's how I see it... __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

COGardener

Registered:1357441505
Posts: 814

Posted 1418540402	Reply with quote #43

A litte bit of interesting info. http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/coffee-grounds-gardening.htm Dennis, there is a snippet about mulching with coffee grounds to ward off slugs and snails. I still vote for ducks, white or golden 300 layer, if you like duck eggs. :)

Czarguy241

Registered:1392919564
Posts: 17

Posted 1418540416	Reply with quote #44

I burn about 2 cords of fir / alder each winter and the ash usually goes on the lawn. It seems to love it. __________________ wish list: 4 more hours in a day.

COGardener

Registered:1357441505
Posts: 814

Posted 1418540748 · Edited	Reply with quote #45

Above, not using ash of painted wood was mentioned, I would like to add pressure treated wood to the do not use ash from it either. I'm sure it is obvious to most people, however, I feel it is still worth mentioning for safety sake.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1418550396	Reply with quote #46

Hi, YES , I use ashes directly on dirt - against slugs. I use coffee ground on dirt against ants - does not work on all ants . But just wait, we're not speaking of coffee pads - you know the "what else ? style ". I only use the coffee I put in coffee filters to get the water through. I was told that coffee pads have some additives - like glue to glue the two sides of the pad after putting the coffee inside - Legend or not , I don't know but I don't give it a try for now. I would nevertheless make the garden look messy all those little bags around, and opening them one by one would be something like a punishment to me ... Call Georges and ask ? And when he asks "What else? " just answer: " one million $ for Jdsfrance " :) , thanks :) . Just one last word: after rain the deterrent properties are lost, so you'll have to keep on applying new ashes and used coffee . __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

figherder

Registered:1378804761
Posts: 237

Posted 1418551790	Reply with quote #47

I vote yes.. I also use coffee in my compost and I make a lot of compost. I heat with wood. Mostly oak and some others as well. Ashes usually go into a seperate pile and I add them to the garden when planting or sprinkle some around as needed. __________________ Jeff in zone 5b Wish list St rita,Vista,Sal's G,De la Reina, preto, Sport and pops purple red from Bellaclare, Planera Malta Black, Navid Unk Dark Greek,

lifigs

Registered:1374698291
Posts: 217

Posted 1418561733	Reply with quote #48

I use lots of coffee grinds in my compost bin but never on the plants directly. In the compost bin it is considered a green component (source of nitrogen) as opposed to a brown component (providing carbon). __________________ Bill Long Island (Nassau) 7a,NY Wish List: Sicilian Red, RdB, JH Adriatic, Sal's EL and any fig from Bari.

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1418573491 · Edited	Reply with quote #49

I used cooffe grounds from Starbucks and ash from a local BBQ place, it is the main thing I used to fill my raised tomato bed....some grew taller than ten feet this year. I also use a similar. Mix for seed starting. Al my gardens are in raised beds and I found this mix a cheap way to get free soil. Makes for a great smelling garden too!! This picture was a few weeks in before I had to cover it with a 6ft cage to keep the birds and bunnies out. __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

deerhunter16b

Registered:1352062719
Posts: 785

Posted 1418574833 · Edited	Reply with quote #50

I vote yes ..been using them for a while __________________ john Zone 7a

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