I know most of you will be wanting to throw something at the screen when I say this, but I don't like coffee. Not at all. I think the smell is just fabulous, but it makes my heart race and my hands shake. Coffee and I just don't get along.
But today, whilst I was watching a friend empty her coffee tower thingy into the bin, it occurred to me that my plants might enjoy a cup now and then. So I researched for a bit on the net, and by all accounts, I am even more alone in my disliking coffee than I realised.
The garden is supposedly an absolute aficionado.
Which is fabulously wonderful news indeed. Because, my brilliant blogging buddies, the aforementioned friend is the proud owner of her very own coffee shop. And is willing to save me her coffee tower takings.
I wonder if the plants take it one lump or two?
16 comments:
Ooh you are lucky. There is some scheme around here where you can collect the coffee from participating cafes for your garden. I know one of my locals is involved but I haven't yet asked for any.
I'm with you. I don't like coffee. Love a cup of tea. Like the smell of coffee but never drink it. In fact I've only ever been forced to drink two cups in my life. Both in social situations where the cups were handed to me and out of politeness because I didn't really know the hosts I pretended to drink them. Managed to get down about three mouthfuls. Yuk.
From what I've heard, coffee is quite acid. So maybe some caution would be good ... perhaps some soil tests to check pH before? Most of the edibles we love to grow like slightly acid soil (eg pH 6.5) exceptions are Blueberries and Strawberries who like it more acidic than that. Rather than buying Sulphur, using coffee grounds is a great way to bring down the pH.
Oh I am a tea drinker too VG! But methinks there are not too many of us, I find it almost impossible to get a good cup of takeaway tea... $3.50 for a tea bag in a cup does not do it for me!
Elaine I have a soil testing kit, perhaps I can use that to test the coffee grounds themselves?? Opinion on the net seems pretty divided on whether used coffee grounds are acidic. I will try to test it and let you know.
Great, Ali I'd like to be sure too. I use them in my Strawberry mix on the assumption of their acidity.
Since you have good access to stacks of coffee grounds, and if they are as acidic as we suspect, then composting them with Biochar or adding lots of lime should give you a neutral compost which can be used anywhere.
Snails hate coffee grounds... compost worms absolutely adore it.
Ooh - gotta love free compost :)
I actually have a worse coffee-related confession than you. I prefer *instant* coffee. I know, I know. Uncultured or what?
I'm really interested in the results of your pH test.
L
See, I don't like coffee either. Used to be addicted to it, but the caffeine makes me very, very sick - I can't even drink tea these days. But I'll make sure to save the plunger remains next time we have guests! :)
I don't like coffee either. Love the smell but hate the taste of hot coffee. I rarely drink it but love iced coffee. My son has been putting his coffee grounds in our compost for ages. Must work as our garden bed has beautiful soil now & our plants are thriving.
After dinner last night I enjoyed a long black coffee - totally delicious, AND I slept like a baby afterwards. There must be something wrongly wired in me, but I don't mind as I adore good coffee. I have been getting coffee grounds from our local coffee shop on occasion and find that if you put it into the compost it gets it going really well, bringing in lots of worms, and I don't find my soil is too acidic. I think the actual composting evens things out.
Wow - I didn't know that Ali. I knew about tea leaves, but haven't even thought about the coffee side of things. Off to grind me some beans now.
Yes Wendy, drink up- it's all for the greater good :)
AA there is lots of literature on the web which suggests that the brewing process takes out the acidity, but then you read something else which says it does wonders for acid loving plants... I bought my bin today and will go pick up my first load tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have a moment to test it then. What I'd really like to hear is yes Alison, you can just throw it straight onto your garden and your fruit and vegetables will be the talk of the neighbourhood for years to come. AND you'll have a guest spot on gardening Australia to talk modestly of your phenomenal success.
Too much??
Jeanette, I want my plants to thrive too!
Celia my poor guests don't even get offered a cup... it's tea or milk here :D
L - Yes... I am sorry, but yes. I'd keep that one hidden if I were you :D
Susan - I can't wait to bombard my strawberries with the stuff. At the moment the slug and I are fighting a battle for them. And I am losing!
I don;t drink tea or coffee, the smell of coffee makes me want to vomit(literally) and gives me headaches,but i have heard they are really good for the garden
Oh Ali I hear you about the $3.50 cup of tea. Just between you and I I have been known to carry indervidually wrapped tea bags in my hand bag and just ask for a pot of boiling water to go with my scones, generally there is no charge if you are buying something else and as long as you do not need milk (herbal tea or any black tea) you are set.
Hubby and I drink stacks of tea and a little coffee. I love coffee but it makes me a bit jittery so I only have about a cup a week.
Fiona I am an avid tea drinker too - but I've never carried my own bags! You are quite fabulous :)
JFH, good to avoid it if it gives you a headache... Alcohol does that to me, even one small glass, but sometimes I throw caution to the wind and drink it anyway :D
Like you I love the smell of coffee but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. When I very occasionally drink it at home I have it very weak with lots of milk.
I'll have to start saving the coffee from work and put it in my compost. I'm a tea person too but now we have a cute little coffee machine at home I've had a cup or two - mainly for the frothy milk.
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