Coffee grounds - Ask Extension
Hi,
my name is Oto and I am from Slovakia in Europe. I was looking for information about using Coffee grounds for compost or as fertilizer and I foun...
Knowledgebase
Coffee grounds #376964
Asked November 14, 2016, 8:38 AM EST
Hi,
my name is Oto and I am from Slovakia in Europe. I was looking for information about using Coffee grounds for compost or as fertilizer and I found your document "Coffee Grounds and Composting".
I would be very grateful if you could answer my questions:
If I want to storage coffee grounds for longer time (from few weeks to few months) a not drying it. Is it good idea to storage it in plastic trash bin? I read that if grounds are not dried that it get mold.
Are grounds still appropriate for direct soil fertilization or it should go to compost then? If no, what is the reason why it can not go to soil directly.
Thank you very much for your time
Best regards
County Outside United States
Expert Response
Hello Oto
Coffee grounds develop mold within 2-3 days if not dried or composted. It is not a good idea to store in plastic trash bin. Dry them in the oven (low heat) or in the freezer if you want to keep them for longer.
Mix the coffee grounds with compost, leaves or bark if applying a significant amount to the surface. A thinly spread layer (1mm) of coffee grounds should be fine to directly apply but add some nitrogen fertilizer. Water well after application.
Good resource at : http://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/cffee07.pdf
Coffee grounds develop mold within 2-3 days if not dried or composted. It is not a good idea to store in plastic trash bin. Dry them in the oven (low heat) or in the freezer if you want to keep them for longer.
Mix the coffee grounds with compost, leaves or bark if applying a significant amount to the surface. A thinly spread layer (1mm) of coffee grounds should be fine to directly apply but add some nitrogen fertilizer. Water well after application.
Good resource at : http://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/cffee07.pdf
Thank you very much for your response Robert.
I am not sure if I understood precisely, but if grounds got mold can they be applied on soil or at least as one of inputs in compost? Or grounds are then completely unusable? If grounds with mold are damaged is there any way how to still use it?
Thank you very much for your time
I am not sure if I understood precisely, but if grounds got mold can they be applied on soil or at least as one of inputs in compost? Or grounds are then completely unusable? If grounds with mold are damaged is there any way how to still use it?
Thank you very much for your time
If you store the grounds in a sealed plastic bag they can go anaerobic, i.e. ferment. I would not use them then. If they are moldy, I suggest using them as compost.
