Backyards and Gardens Carnival
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The Simplest Method:
Compost tea is simply liquid compost. It can be made very elaborately, with different types of equipment, or you can just take solid organic compost, either purchased or homemade compost, and soak it in water. After the mixture has steeped for a long time, you have compost tea. You then strain the liquid and apply it to your garden by spraying it on the leaves or applying it to the soil.
This easy steeping procedure produces compost tea anaerobically, meaning without the introduction of oxygen into the process. It will produce a tea that benefits your plants, but it is the least preferred of the different methods.
A Step Up:
The next step up is to use an aquarium pump to aerate the mixture in a five gallon bucket. You will need an aquarium pump, a gang valve, 3 or more feet of aquarium hose, and a couple of tablespoons of unsulfured molasses. Attach three 12″ pieces of hose to the gang valve and place it on the bucket. Look into the bucket to make sure the hoses reach the bottom.
Add one gallon of organic compost and about four gallons of water, to within six inches of the top of the bucket. Add the molasses. Turn on the pump and let the tea “brew” for two to three days, stirring occasionally. When it is finished, strain it into another bucket and return the solid matter to your compost pile.
Use immediately, as the microorganisms you want to benefit your garden will not last long after the air supply has been removed.
It should smell good, like fresh earth. If, for some reason, it smells bad, return it to your compost heap and start over!
Where to find more information:
Your local nursery should have information and a good selection of mixes and equipment to aid you in making your own compost tea at home. Whatever method you chose, it’s well worth the time and effort.
Why would you use compost tea?
Compost Making
photo credit: Ajay Tallam
Your plants will benefit because compost tea is a very mild, organic liquid fertilizer that will not burn your plants. It will improve your soil by providing beneficial living organisms wherever you use it.
If, for example, the healthy organisms in your soil have been destroyed by overuse of pesticides or a long, cold winter, the organisms can be restored by the use of compost tea. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and other active organisms found in compost tea will help your plants get the most nutrition from your soil.
Other places to find compost tea:
You can also get a form of compost tea from the liquid that drains out of the bottom of your wormery. This is especially nice to use on houseplants.
In addition, many compost tumblers come with a container attached to the bottom that catches the liquid that drains out as the compost making process goes on. You can empty this out from time to time and use it on your plants.
Give it a try!
Look into using compost tea in your compost making efforts and you will see marked improvement in your garden.
Click here “I LOVE COMPOST MAKING!” to buy what you need for YOUR compost making!
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