skip to main content

Soil, Compost & Mulch

What is the right combination

14 years ago

Hi, in thinking about my garden this spring I would like to make a mix to use when setting out my plants in addition to adding compost from my pile.

Here is what I am thinking about, if my ratios are wrong someone please help me with the right combination.

I have an abundant supply of egg shells (I grind them in the food processor until they are like sand) and coffee grounds (Starbucks) so I thought I would add equal amounts of egg shells, coffee grounds and compost together, mix good, dig my hole a little deeper than normal, put my mixure in the hole, place plant in hole and finish by filling the hole up with this mixure. Will this be a good mix or will I be doing something wrong?

Thanks,

Wade

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

heirloomjunkie
14 years ago
That's exactly what I was going to do with my vegetable garden. A lot of people on here say that it is best to lay the compost down in the fall before (something to do with bacteria?) But I don't have that option, since I only started my compost bin last fall. I plan on either doing it your way, or laying down the compost as soon as possible in the spring.

Anybody else have the answer? :)
Kimmsr
14 years ago
Any nutrients those egg shells would have will not be converted by your soils bacteria for a couple of years and those in the coffee grounds may well not be available for a month or so, dependng on how active a Soil Food Web you do have. Whether putting compost in the planting hole is a good idea depends on your soil. A compacted clay soil could create a problem since water would tend to flow into that planting hole and would not drain out resulting in drowned plants. If your soil drains well and has adequate levels of organic matter then adding compost to the planting hole really will do little.
Related Discussions
Soapstone combined with what else?
Q
Comments (11)
Found this thread as I am researching. We are doing soapstone perimeter counters and are now wrestling with what to put on our island (45"x119") that will have 6 burner gas cooktop in it as well as seating at one end. The perimeter cabinets will be painted a grey blue with some distressing. This island will be a dark stained alder. Would like to do a light countertop and are considering marble, but would love feedback about having that next to the cooktop. Have also looked at lots of pics here of white granite or quartzite. Have searched FKB and the forum and see lots of pics with marble as backsplash w/soapstone, but have not been as successful finding soapstone and marble in the same kitchen as countertop. If you have this, would love to see pics! We are doing soapstone b/c we love the patina of it and are not worried so much about marble etching as that is just part of the process for us. Have also considered wood on the island, but less sure about that next to a cooktop. Have a lowered baking area on the perimeter that is across the aisle from one end of the island and think that marble might work on that area. Would greatly appreciate any thoughts/ideas/feedback that you can offer.
...See More
Right time, right place! What luck!
Q
Comments (16)
Woohoo! Don't see anything about cost. I would guess prev customer gets credit for not using and your account is charged accordingly? But if a 100% freebie, there are not enough ways to celebrate your extraordinarily good fortune. My account gets charged accordingly?! Oh that's not what I was led to believe...my kitchen company did not make the purchase. The GC just said they guy didn't want it and I could "have" it. I assumed free ... I guess I know what can happen when one assumes. Lol
...See More
Looking for advice to help choose right wallpaper & paint combination
Q
Comments (5)
It is much easier to choose paint last because there are an infinite number of paint colours,but not so with bedding and drapes. Also, the bed 'top', because it is so large & prominent, sets the tone and mood for the rest of the room. Usually more so than the wallpaper! How much contrast you want between the walls and the drapes is really a personal choice but a drape close in tone to the walls will make the overall space feel larger and more seamless.
...See More
What do you think about this combination of rugs?
Q
Comments (8)
#1 Yes #2 Probably #3 Probably not Obviously based on the way colors look on my computer. I like the segue into something a little more modern/tribal from the more traditional flanking rugs - you are pulling this together really well.
...See More
minitrucker
14 years ago
Adding the egg shells to the soil will take a while, but I would do it. I mix a little coffee into my soil and sprinkle it on top as part of my fertilizer, the majority goes to the compost bin.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Set the Right Mood With the Right Lines

By Design With Science

Soothe with curves or go straight-up efficient. Learn the effects of lines in rooms to get the feeing you’re after

DECORATING GUIDES How to Get Your Accent Pillows Right

By Jennifer Ott Design

Weekend Project: Pull your living room together with the perfect combination of decorative pillows

MEDIA ROOMS 9 Tips to Combine a Home Office and TV Den

By Shawn Gauthier

Split personalities can work well together if you set your room up with the right storage, layout and lighting

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Elements of the Just-Right House

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

The World Series, Moneyball and the smart house: The case for smaller homes rich in character and function over the big and bland

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Range style is mostly a matter of personal taste. This full course of possibilities can help you find the right appliance to match yours

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Tips for Discovering the Right Palette for You

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Take cues from the environment, start with your favorite fabric, and other secrets for unlocking your personal palette

DECORATING GUIDES Make All White Look So Right

By Lisa Frederick

All-white rooms are harder than they look. Here's how to blend white tones for pure perfection in bathrooms, kitchens and more

TURQUOISE How to Pick the Right Blue Paint

By Kelly Porter

Periwinkle, Turquoise, Midnight or Sky? Here's Help Choosing the Blue for You

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Find the Right Oven Arrangement for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Have all the options for ovens, with or without cooktops and drawers, left you steamed? This guide will help you simmer down

EXTERIORS How To Get Your Exterior Paint Color Right

By Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

Your House Color Should Fit You, Your Architecture and Where You Live

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

planting along side with decomposting kitchen scraps

9

It's so awkward to bring this up, apropos of nothing,

16

Pine Bark - Break Down

1

How to water trees on land without access to tap water?

28

growing grass after pine trees removed

3