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Frugal Gardening

Used Tea Leaves/Coffee Grounds/Compost bin

14 years ago

Can anyone tell me the best way to utilize my used tea leaves and coffee grounds? I have over 30 house plants and am a container gardener(apt.dweller) and would also like to know which plants can't tolerate tea or coffee added to the soil, used for watering, or as a foliar spay. One more thing, what is the minimum size for a compost bin?

Thanks!

Kimberly

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Comments (12)

jenv14
14 years ago
Vermicomposting, or composting with worms in an enclosed bin works very nicely in a house. There is a forum just for this topic on Garden Web.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
14 years ago
I can't offer much in the way of plant tolerance, but a compost pile usually needs to be about a cubic yard (3x3x3) for it to heat up properly, a little bigger would be better. That's not to say you can't cold compost in smaller quantities, it would just take longer. As for putting coffee grounds in containers, I usually scratch a little into the top inch or so of the soil. Left on top it will mold and if too much is added it will form a crust that repels water. You may want to check out the "Soil, Compost & Mulch", "Vermicomposting" and "Container Gardening" forums for more specific info.

tj
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Do coffee and tea grounds need to be composted?
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The FAQs have good info on composting coffee grounds, and I and many others use them successfully directly in the garden. They are rich in nitrogen and I like to think of them as a gentle, organic fertilizer and soil amendment. They are wonderful for greening up lawns and I like to use them to topdress plants that I grow for foliage, like hostas, heucheras, and lettuce. The only problem I have ever heard of anyone having from using them directly is that if you apply them too thickly, they can crust over and repel water, and if you apply them too often, they could induce too lush growth. I haven't had either of these problems myself. I suppose that you shouldn't apply them too late in the growing season, either. Try them and see how they work for you. Good luck!
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Coffee grounds do have some fairly good levels of nutrients but you need a goodly amount to have much affect on a lawn. http://www.lenawee.mi.us/departments/solid-waste-department/backyard-composting/composting-with-coffee-grounds I have not yet found comparable information on tea leaves. Recycling both in the garden or on the lawn is much preferable than tossing them in the trash. What would the cornmeal be used for? I have seen alfalfa pellets and cubes but not powder, at least not in quantities to be economical to be added to a lawn.
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Hi Larry the mulch is labeled "Native Texas shredded hardwood mulch", and is locally produced by Austin Wood Recycling. I believe it is mostly ashe juniper that has been run through a chipper/shredder twice to get that consistency. It's ubiquitous here; we can buy it in bulk or bags from local gardening centers. It's soft to the touch, with pieces up to 2" long, but thin and flexible, similar in consistency to some cypress mulches I have seen. Perhaps that's more available in your area? and hello again, steamyb, you got right on that! Yeah, they are heavy; be good to your back moving it around. Sorry to hear the sinks have gotten pricey. They are pretty sturdy, though, and have held up well for years now. Don't know if you have a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in your area, but if so, they might be a good resource for a used one. When I was a kid going to the lakes in east Texas, it seems like a lot of gas stations sold worms for fishing bait, and had long, galvanized troughs to raise them in. I would love to get my hands on one of those one day! Or one of those old Coca Cola drink coolers to sell cokes on ice; anything built to last with a drain in it. Guess you could even use an old bathtub if you had a way to get it up high enough and make it look presentable. Just a little harder to build a nice screen with the rounded corners. (I'll bet my aesthetics-conscious husband just felt a ripple in the force and cringed without even knowing why!) Would love to hear how these work out for both of you. cheers, Cathy
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Yep, I hear that. I think that's the appeal of traditional products.. Ease of use, lower costs, and reduced labor needed. It sure can be tempting at times. I'm in the same boat. I like going more natural, but with two little kids, I can't spend all of my time in the yard getting every last weed... So I end up with a pretty good looking yard, but not perfect. I'm no fungus expert. Maybe you can post a few more pictures and someone might be able to help out. I only know about rust fungus. You know you have it bad when you mow and there are so many spores on your mower that it looks like you mowed over a ten-pound bag of Cheetos. :) Not really harmful, just looks bad. Nitrogen is all that's needed for that... helps the grass outgrow the fungus cycle. Anyway, post some more pictures... Someone will know.
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divaelpasotx
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the info! I called a local nursery to see if they sell worms for composting(saw it on TV once). I was told I didn't need worms but I could by Liquid Compost mix for $5.99!!!
I need to find worms!!!
I was concerned about the coffee grounds causing mold, so I'm drying them out and then I'll scratch them in. I add cinnamon to my coffee grinds to help curb my appetite, will the cinnamon affect the plants?
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
14 years ago
Some say cinnamon deters fugus gnats, although I've never tried it, so I doubt it would hurt the plants.

tj
louisianagal
14 years ago
I think you would be able to use the cooled leftover coffee to water your plants with. The only concern is it will stain the saucer or patio where it drains to. You can use the used coffee grounds or tea leaves to make a new batch of coffee or tea for a foliar feed or soil drench. You can use the grounds or tea leaves scratched into the soil. If you have a lawn, you can broadcast the grounds/tea leaves onto the lawn as a sort of fertilizer. I've never tried vermicomposting, as I have 2 compost piles outside, but I think it would be fun and create nice compost, and allow you to feed any other kitchen scraps as well. Laurie
divaelpasotx
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Laurie,
will the foliar spray need to be refrigerated or should I just make enough for one day?
jenv14
14 years ago
If you want to try out worms, check out www.redwormcomposting.com. It is my favorite website, next to GardenWeb, to learn stuff. Bentley has lots of info on making your own bins, rather than buying expensive ones. He also sells worms, now, but I haven't bought from him yet.

HTH
Jennifer
divaelpasotx
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the info Jenifer. When I first thought about composting, I thought (about the worms) "If I save it they will come" because I would usually find them when I was re-potting a plant. The kids want to save a portion of each meal for the worms. They think I want to buy worms and grow them!
I can't wait to get the worms, I'm sure there'll initially be a lot of screaming involved...
(on my part too)!
K
louisianagal
14 years ago
Re the foliar spray or drench. I would make enough for the one day, using the old tea bags, or just use my un-drunk coffee. You could also refrigerate and use as needed.
Have fun with the worms!
laurie
jolj
12 years ago
nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: cafe grounds
lefeavers
9 years ago
Google C:n ! Get carbon; Nitrogen ratio. Then create your Sale ABLE compost Keeping it mixed ( Breathing) & balanced. Add worms for WORK & Money if u like.
Charlie
9 years ago
Jennifer - You don't need to buy worms; if you build them a good environment, they will find it. A good environment includes damp well-drained material, which should include some green matter (grass clippings), shredded leaves, manure if available, vegetable/fruit scraps, coffee grounds and any other non-toxic organic matter you have. Meat and meat-eater poop is not acceptable due to the potential for desease. If there is no bottom in your compost pile, the worms will come.

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