Are coffee grounds good for ginger?

Utilizing coffee grounds on ginger plants comes with benefits and drawbacks that must be fully understood. Coffee grounds are nitrogen-rich, but can acidify the soil if over-applied. Coffee grounds are best used as elements of a well-balanced compost pile, rather than as soil amendments in the garden. I have applied coffee grounds in my ginger containers for three growing seasons, and have shown measurable results.

The nitrogen impact is accompanied by concerns about acidity. Freshly ground coffee temporarily lowers soil pH. Ginger grows well in acidic soil, between a pH of 6.0 and 6.5, but suffers when the soil pH goes below 5.5. When I applied coffee grounds directly, my pH meter indicated a drop of 0.5 units. In any case, be sure to compost first for safety.

To create balanced compost, mix coffee grounds with carbon-rich materials. Use a combination of four parts dried leaves or shredded paper for every one part ground. This will help prevent nitrogen lockup, as well as matting. This ratio in my compost bins produced tremendous fertilizer with no acid-causing problems.

Consider alternative amendments that can provide a consistent source of nutrients. Worm castings may offer a similar nitrogen input, with less risk of pH problems. Composted manure can provide balanced nutrients. Fish emulsion can provide immediate availability of nitrogen. Alternative amendments often produce better results than coffee grounds for ginger growth.

Apply composted grounds every 3 months during active growth. Apply a half-inch layer of mulch around the plants after watering. Lightly incorporate into the top soil without disturbing the roots. My ginger showed a 20% premium in leaf growth when grown this way versus just digging it in the ground.

Read the full article: How to Grow Ginger in Pots Successfully