[coffee grounds]
The "nitrogen punch" is a myth. They have just about enough
nitrogen to supply bacteria that are digesting the carbon in
them. (Nothing like a manure, or grass clippings, or fish meal, etc.)
Earthworms are fond of them, though, so it is still worth adding
them to compost, worm bins, or lasagna beds just for their
organic matter contribution. Just do not expect them to balance
a high-carbon material like leaves, straw, shredded paper,
or wood chips. Using them exclusively for a mulch is not
recommended, because they crust as they dry out after a rain
or watering. Mixed with more chunky stuff or mature compost,
no problem.
[compost inoculants]
There are actually two kinds. One is a "compost maker" that one
can find 4-5 lb boxes of at big box stores for about $5US. It is
usually an organic, often chicken manure based fertilizer.
4-4-2 is a common N-P-K value. This will compensate somewhat
for an excess of leaves and straw compared to the quantity
of "green" (high nitrogen) materials in a compost pile. I have
simply scattered it over 6 inches of leaf mulch that I was turning
under in the spring with good results, for example.
The other kind is a microbial compost inoculant intended to get
a pile composting faster. Those are usually more expensive and
not necessarily needed (although they are probably pathogen-free
and might be preferred for a commercial composting operation).
Tossing a shovel full of dirt out of one of your garden beds into
the compost pile or bin will "inoculate" it with whatever
decomposing bacteria are native to your area (without waiting
for wind and rain to do it).
[earthworms]
This is a legacy document, and a lot is likely known about them
now that was not known about them when this was written.
But this document was based as far as I can see on empirical
observation of earthworms, and so whatever was true about
their behavior then is still true now:
http://journeytoforever.org/farm_lib...oliverToC.html
I noticed that red wigglers accumulate here in piles of moist
leaves sitting around in the yard and gardens. It is apparently
a favored environment for them. Adding some granite dust
(and maybe any other kind of rock dust, like greensand or
dolomite) will raise the earthworm populations in compost.