Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Friday - March 18, 2016
From: Southlake, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Using Coffee Grounds under Live Oaks in Texas?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Can you add coffee grounds to live oak tree?ANSWER:
Yes! In fact, Austin, Texas has a city-wide program to divert coffee grounds from the landfill and put them to work in the garden. The program, called Ground to Ground suggests incorporating the coffee grounds into the garden soil - up to 25% volume.
They say that the coffee grounds are:
- Great immediate and slow-release source of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
- Contains a range of micronutrients such as Calcium and Magnesium.
- Slightly acidic – great for Austin’s alkaline soils!
- A 2012 study showed that lutein, B-carotene, and chlorophylls increased in greens proportionally to the amount of grounds sown into garden soil (0 – 20%). Biomass of harvest also increased with the addition of grounds.
- Won’t burn plants or pollute groundwater; microorganisms love grounds!
- Repels snails, slugs, pillbugs, and most cats.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Drought Resistant Privacy Screen for North Side of Austin Texas House
July 10, 2016 - We live in the densely populated Mueller development, where there's barely 3 feet from our home to the 6 foot high privacy fence between us and the house next door. Since the houses are 2 stories, we ...
view the full question and answer
Oak Sucker Reprise
May 02, 2015 - ----Original Question---- SUNDAY - JULY 06, 2014
Title: Live Oak Suckers Reprise, Austin TX
QUESTION:
Referring to an entry dated March 11, 2011 about Live Oak suckers - what happened to the su...
view the full question and answer
Black coloration on Star Magnolia is probably sooty mold.
November 21, 2008 - I have a star magnolia where 90% of the bark has turned black. It almost looks burned. The tree has decent buds set for next spring. What is causing the bark to turn black?
view the full question and answer
Tree for South Dakota
April 24, 2012 - Sir, I am looking for suggestions on a backyard tree, nice shade tree 60-80' height to complement a split foyer house and a flowering crab that is currently there. Low maintenance, with no seeds or c...
view the full question and answer
Identity of fragrant oak-like leaves used at funeral
October 14, 2012 - In the early 1950's I attended my grandmother's funeral in the Southern West Virginia area. At the gravesite, the funeral home had provided what looked like dried oak leaves, (red brown and gold col...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |