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Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I've got a deal with our neighborhood Starbucks to collect their used grounds for the patch. I had a sample of the grounds analyzed (manure analysis) at Midwest Labs. Here are the results

Analysis
N .74%
P .11%
K .18%

S .05%
Ca .04%
Mg .06%
Na .00%
Cu 7ppm
Fe 32ppm
Mn 15ppm
Zn 4ppm

pH 5.9

Nutrients lbs/ton

N 14.9
P 2.1
K 3.6
S .9
Ca .9
Mg 1.2
Na 0.0
Cu .01
Fe .06
Mn .03
Zn .01

First Year Availability (lbs/ton)

N 5
P 1
K 3
S 0
Ca 1
Mg 1
Na 0
Cu .01
Fe .04
Mn .02
Zn 0

11/10/2005 8:17:42 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

I am planning on putting a bunch in my patch this fall, any idea how much is too much, I have about 700 sq ft

11/10/2005 8:25:50 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

GS, Just a nu-B's guess, but from the low numbers involved, I would think that unless you are getting massive dump truck loads of coffee grounds, there is no limit, except for the Ph level, if you are already acidic, be prepared to add some lime...like I said, just a nu-B's .02 worth.
Matt, how much...weight wise...are you getting from a single Starbuck's per week...new Starbuck's opening in town soon, and I am planning on trying to cultivate a relationship for grounds... Peace Wayne

11/10/2005 11:14:45 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I put 2300 lbs of coffee grounds into a 1000 sq ft patch last winter. That was essentially all of the grounds used by that Starbucks location from September through February. It's part of their corporate policy to donate their grounds, but I give them a pumpkin each year in exchange that they display inside. Probably overkill, but my pH is now 6.9, before it was 7.3. Worms love it. You won't believe what it will do for your worm count.

11/11/2005 12:46:13 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

I think that Matt has it right. I don't think it the nutritional value of the grinds but more for the soil conditoner...worms make the best soil from the compost you have added....coffee grinds seem to be a prime attraction to them..GrowEmBig! Chuck

11/11/2005 8:48:32 AM

wilmington,ma.

Matt do you remove the paper??

11/11/2005 9:40:04 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Sometimes the Starbucks employees will remove the filters before giving me the grounds, and sometimes not. The filters will decompose nicely, but it makes the patch look trashy in the interim, so I try to take most of the paper out.

11/11/2005 1:48:37 PM

Long Island,New York

and the swizzles?

11/11/2005 2:35:38 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yikes! G...put the paper in your worm farm...now stick the swizzles straight up!!! G...were talking the grinds they separate right away only grinds and paper in the Grind Bin!

11/11/2005 7:28:55 PM

Canada

In fall of 2004 I tilled in a HUDGE amount of Coffe grounds in the spring turnover I did notice allot more red wigglers then normal specially in the areas were the grounds were layed thick, Worms are Good there droppings are even Better. This fall I didnt add any grounds as I added allot of other goodies includeing Fresh manure spaghnum peatmoss, Jersey Green sand and a few large bags of egg shells, But I may add some grounds yet between Now and and spring just toss them into the patch whenever the work bucket is full then till in dureing 2006 spring turnover

Dave

11/11/2005 8:41:55 PM

Puyallup, WA

I am now convinced that the more worms you have in your soil, the bigger your pumpkins will be. They are a good indicator of the health of your soil. Everytime my sprinklers turned on about 20 robins would fly up out of the patch.

11/11/2005 9:42:18 PM

Montoursville, PA

Some laughed out loud while others snikered. Twas OK because some now know the value, of my early encouragement, three years ago, to use lots, of coffee grounds and other elements, of compost, in basic soil building.

The number one worm food when availble, for commercial worm growers, is coffee grounds.

The number one killer, of worms and the biological community they depend upon is salts and poisons from synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides.

Someone will be first, to prove the totally organic patch management. I wonder whom it will be? There are a few growers getting close....but still no cigar. All including myself believe that some synthetic biocides must be used in growing pumpkins.

The first no fungicide usage statement that I saw came from a patch and grower who just popped out a 1400 plus pound pumpkin. Tip, of my hat goes to, Andy Wolf. I have almost reached that possibility but almost is still no cigar.

11/14/2005 5:11:50 PM

Montoursville, PA

Add on: "and I should also say there is no 1400 lb. pumpkin, not even close, showing up, in my wonderfull patch". More work to do....for sure.

11/14/2005 5:14:50 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I wish we had a Starbucks in my town...

11/16/2005 12:09:25 PM

Taber, Alberta

Cliff, what stores do you have in your town? We don't have a Starbuck's, but we do have a 7-11 and they go through a lot of coffee a day. I have 2 plastic garbage buckets I rotate every day. I line the buckets with bags in case the bucket leaks, then I just rinse out the bags and reuse them. I get about 1/2 to 2/3 of a bucket every day. The only thing is, they won't take out the filters, so I have to do it.
Once you explain it's for giant pumpkins, many stores will help you out. The 7-11 loves me because I take away their coffee grounds. Before, they had to dispose of it and it gets heavy and messy after a while.
Alan

11/16/2005 1:00:39 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I've got a few ideas... need to check them out.

11/16/2005 5:57:03 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Leave the filters in...gone in a few weeks....worms seem to love them too!

11/16/2005 6:48:17 PM

Taber, Alberta

I'd leave the filters in, but I like to keep my neighbours from hating me, especially when I put manure on the patch. I pull about 100-120 filters per day. After 3-4 months of doing this, that's a lot of filters to be blowing around if they don't get tilled in right away. Maybe I'm just anal, but there's something cool about a big pile of coffee, and only coffee. I hate to drink the stuff, but I love the smell!

11/16/2005 7:08:03 PM

Montoursville, PA

I would suggest that smaller patch growers seek out a neighborhood coffee shop that yeilds a five gallon bucket full once or twice a week. Looking at five buckets, of grounds a day, gets a little out, of perspective,and is down right hard work. I speak from experience. The smaller amounts can go directly, on the patch or into the smaller compost pile, with no build ups, of excess grounds.

11/18/2005 7:28:03 PM