can i sprinkle coffee grounds on my soil to increase nitrogen levels

Jerseykushface

Well-Known Member
I was wondering if I can sprinkle like a teaspoon of coffee grounds around my plants soil to increase nitrogen levels ? If so, how do I do it? And how much should I use and how often?
 

Jus Naturale

Active Member
I can only partly answer, but here goes. In order for the coffee grounds to truly produce usable food for the plant, they would have to be cycled through the micro-life that lives in the soil. In their raw state (i.e., just sprinkling on top), they wouldn't do much to increase anything. As for whether they will result in more nitrogen, I don't know exactly what they'd break down into, but, again, it'd be the microbes in the soil doing the breaking-down, which takes time. I'd suspect, though, that you might have some issues with pH if you sprinkle grounds on top and haven't taken steps to control the pH.

Cheers!
 

lofly247

Active Member
Best add them to a worm farm or compost heap is my advice.

Organic methods are slower because the focus is on building/feeding the soil rather than feeding the plant. The healthy soil means the plant can take what it's needs. It takes some organising to set up a worm farm and or compost heap but I have seen good results and more stable plant health with organics.

I have heard that cofee grounds are a good sensible source of food for plants especially if you have a local source like a coffee shop. Starbucks used to bag them up for free and have them sitting in the store.

As with anything living, a diversity of nutrient sources is best.
 

dbdweller

Active Member
Coffee can work but if you want to go home remedies then any vegetable green will provide your N. I have used from green peas to broccoli. Depending on were you are at watch out for ants and such. If your clean then you will have no worries.
Use darker for your acids,cal and such.

Please keep in mind how close you are to flower though. Your plants will still want N for the first week or two in flower because of there growth rate. So do not feed them anything heavy in N if your close. You might run into problems, but if so stop the vit B and feed the carbs.
Of course this is just one way to go lol

Peace out
 
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