Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
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
Transplant shock in Chestnut Oak in Waukesha WI
September 13, 2009 - Bought and had nursery install a 4" diameter, 16' tall chestnut oak. Watered it as instructed-every 2nd or third day-hose stream size of my pinky for 45-60 minutes. It was planted in July. Just l...
view the full question and answer
Oak roots damaged by ax from Austin
July 03, 2013 - Hello. I am attempting to create my own tiny copy of the Wildflower Center within my yard. I'm using all native, drought tolerant plants. My front yard is full of live oaks. I used a sod cutter la...
view the full question and answer
Looking for a redbud sized tree to plant in Tulsa OK.
September 27, 2011 - I am looking for a native tree about the size of a redbud to place in my prairie bed in Tulsa Oklahoma, wildlife friendly trees preferred, thanks!
view the full question and answer
Tree roots breaking surface in Allen, TX
March 09, 2009 - I live in Northern Texas, near Dallas. My questions concerns a tree in my front yard that now has roots that break the surface of the soil and grass. I would like to cover the roots. Should I cover...
view the full question and answer
Fertilizing Newly Planted Trees
February 07, 2016 - Back in November, I planted 20 trees on rocky, caliche slopes around my house outside of Utopia, Texas. The trees were 45 gallon Monterrey Oaks and Texas Redbuds. I have also installed a drip irriga...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |