I have a degree in microbiology and studied invertebrate zoology including oligochaeta (earthworms). My understanding is that coffee grounds do not add much in nutrients to the soil but earthworms use the grounds to line their intestinal tracts to help break down organic matter. I only add my coffee grounds to my compost bin where it gets mixed with alfalfa meal, neem seed meal, and ground oyster shell flour. No eggshells. I cut the coffee filters into small pieces and add that as well. I have a bucket of water with pieces of rusty rebar and washers that supplies direct iron. I use Tiger Bloom liquid fertilizer which contains over 2% nitrate. Most liquid fertilizers only contain ammonium (NH4) which requires two bacterial cycles over a 30-day period to be converted to nitrate (NO3) which is what plants need. Human blood uses magnesium to carry hemoglobin, but plants use iron to carry chlorophyll. Good luck people!

@dr.froghopper6711

Ай бұрын

I don’t have your degree but as soon as I started adding coffee grounds from the local brew shop I noticed that the earthworm population boomed. For whatever reason, they appear to absolutely love the coffee, the little freaks! I allow them to have their way with the spent grounds. I’ve noticed that my garden seems appreciative because the earthworm population in the beds is doing well.

@lauracassidy8152

Ай бұрын

Flip that. Mag is plants, iron animals

Great initial results. The only issue from here is the assumption that the Nitrogen will return in time. These two week trials are initially informative but we really need the 8-16 week data to see when and how the soil has stabilized. Any chance of getting these longer term data in the future? Especially for something like green amendments like kelp and biochar that actually benefit positively with time.

I like this guy. Even I understand his explanations. Keep this going. I learn a lot with every episode.

Thank you for doing these tests! Love the real data you provide😊

Seriously my new favorite channel. Thank you for this content!

Thanks. Very informative.

One thing that's worth noting, is that coffee grounds have a slight allelopathic trait. The oils and other compounds in the grounds slightly reduce germination, and may affect some sensitive plant roots

If some sort of vegetation had been planted in the two soils and allowed to grow, that would have been very interesting and possibly revealing.

@SoiLab

Жыл бұрын

This is a great idea for a future video!

I was kinda surprised by the lack of change in the pH. Great experiment Matt. Thanks for sharing!

@SoiLab

Жыл бұрын

This was surprising to us as well. Thanks Pacific Northwest Lawns!

this is super valuable information, actual tested data, rather then believing some folks who promote all kinds of mumbo jumbo and get millions of views

I add them to the compost heap.

Very good 👍🏻

Man I’m adding coffee grounds to the lawn. Can get it free from Starbucks. Great series can’t wait to see the rest of them

@SoiLab

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jose! We should have the next videos dropping soon!

@zztopwater8568

Жыл бұрын

I started top dressing/ broadcasting coffee grounds on the lawn during the last few weeks of winter and about every 3-4 weeks after that. The lawn looks great. My thought process was that the grounds would be broken down by the time the grass needed N and also help break down the thatch layer. Go for it dude.

Nice partial experiment.

Great series. Can you also add a video on the effectiveness of Alfalfa pellets or Alfalfa meal as a soil amendment? it is widely recommended in gardening community, but I’d like to understand the short term and long term effects of alfalfa on the soil

How long does it take to break down and for the nitrate depression to go away, resulting in increased available nitrogen?

I would be interested in a study of using brewed liquid coffee as a nitorgen/iron source and to help lower soil ph. I used left over brewed coffee around a stunted tree and the leaves turn dark green and the tree started to grow. We have 7.4 ph soil and city water. We also have hard compact clay loam soil. Everything struggles to grow here.

I've been using coffee grounds for years. Seems to help with the Oklahoma clay. I also use my kitchen scraps (lettuce, vegetables, fruits). Don't know how well they work. But curious! Thanks for the test! Crushing it!

@SoiLab

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

soil test comparisons are all well and good, but the "proof is in the pudding". run a test growing a variety of plants in each soil then measure compare the size, healthiness, yield of each

Interesting, but would be better with the same subjects plus two more with identical plants from a nursery.

Very interesting. Do coffee grounds work? They mainly increase iron.

Would be interesting to look at the caffeine content of the grounds, and how - if any - the residual caffeine affects plant growth. Thanks for the vid, Matt!

@1ntwndrboy198

Жыл бұрын

There is a bacteria that actually lives off caffeine and it is used by a bug that eats coffee 😮🤔 while other bugs can't.👍✌️

good video want to add to water then spray on how much 50 gals of water coffee and coffee grounds

Would you consider doing an episode on crab meal? I hear it is similar to insect frass (Chitin) but it is more available where I am located. Thanks for all you do!

@timothytucker-oi5qr

10 ай бұрын

It is!

I've read articles and seen multiple videos about using coffee grounds in the garden and they nearly all state that it takes time for the grounds to break down enough for the nitrogen to become available, but that wasn't addressed in this video. All we are told is that the grounds actually take nitrogen out of the soil when it's first added, so is there a follow up video telling us if more nitrogen is available later, because on it's own, this video tells us nothing.

@SoiLab

Жыл бұрын

4:26 specifically 5:26 and 10:24.

@ewancarmichael3412

Жыл бұрын

​@@SoiLab by later, I mean after a few months, not just two weeks, and what are the numbers?

@ruellzmafs8575

Жыл бұрын

I use it for my maryjane plants and it's good keeps the bugs away nd makes the buds sticky smells like mocahino weed .gets me every morning

Is there a source stating that plants prefer NO3- to NH4+? I feel like energetically ammonium uptake would be preferred.

Is used coffee grounds good for grass?

What can i use to boost the nitrogen ir does thw egg shells and other thongs posted last to look at will be something for that?

Bananapeels next please. Dry them and make powder

Any chance of a 4, 6, or 8 week test of nitrogen levels to see if/when the nitrogen depression balances out or turns into a boost?

How long would you suggest supplementing nitrogen

I feed my worms and compost heap coffee grinds

Are these used coffee grounds or new grounds? I have only ever seen people recommend used grounds not fresh coffee grounds

@FrankAtNeelyFarms

2 ай бұрын

I'm wondering same thing

Suggestion - if it's possible to have a pre-composted coffee (such as 50/50 grounds and paper) and seeing the post N dip action?

@SoiLab

Жыл бұрын

That would be a good topic for a future video to evaluate.

@generrosity

Жыл бұрын

@@SoiLab Thank you for considering it! It would be amazing to see the sequestration and release, if there is a curve etc. Cheers!

In Australia we have the "Black Soldier fly'. It does not touch you food. When it becomes a fly its only job is the lay maggots, they are usually darker than the one we see in spoilt food etc and are segmented. These break down food scraps better, faster, than worms. Can you tell me if they can handle coffee grounds please?

@meepmeep7165

7 ай бұрын

Not scientific but have tested with coffee grounds in a tub and the soldier flies went to town on them. Never seen so many maggots around.

@johnhannonHanno

7 ай бұрын

@@meepmeep7165 Thank you, now must find a way to attract them.

I've read articles and seen multiple videos about using coffee grounds in the garden and they nearly all state that it takes time for the grounds to break down enough for the nitrogen to become available, but that wasn't addressed in this video. All we are told is that the grounds actually take nitrogen out of the soil when it's first added, so is there a follow up video telling us if more nitrogen is available later, because on it's own, this video tells us nothing.