Can anybody tell me what compost tea is?-
aprilopals
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- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:17 am
- Location: Australia
compost tea
Can anybody tell me what compost tea is?
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coripearson
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- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:12 am
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
I just tried a compost tea this week. I used a 2.5 gal bucket and had 1/2 water and 1/2 compost. I let it sit for 5 days (stirred daily) then strained and diluted. I have to say the smell was a little more than I anticipated 
. I have read that some more serious gardeners than myself use aquarium equipment to areate (bubble) the water and I think that reduces the odor. I was worried about spraying my plants but thought what the heck - if I got through the straining process, I was for sure using the stuff. It has been 3 days and my plants have not burned and seem to be doing fine.
Hope this was helpful.
. I have read that some more serious gardeners than myself use aquarium equipment to areate (bubble) the water and I think that reduces the odor. I was worried about spraying my plants but thought what the heck - if I got through the straining process, I was for sure using the stuff. It has been 3 days and my plants have not burned and seem to be doing fine. Hope this was helpful.
Reading the Wiki article, there's a statement that the "traditional" European compost tea (minus all the weird equipment some people use nowadays) was 1 part compost to 3 - 9 parts water, let steep for 3 to 24 days, strain out the compost and use the water as fertilizer or spray.
1 to 1 would make more of a slurry than a spray, it seems to me.
Whenever I mix worm "tea," I just put a little into the watering can and add water. The mix is light tea colored. I water the plants. I haven't spray the foliage yet with any of this stuff; by the time I've gone to the worm bin, filled the watering can, etc., I just want to feed the plants.
Maybe next season?
Cynthia H.
USDA Zone 9, Sunset Zone 17
1 to 1 would make more of a slurry than a spray, it seems to me.
Whenever I mix worm "tea," I just put a little into the watering can and add water. The mix is light tea colored. I water the plants. I haven't spray the foliage yet with any of this stuff; by the time I've gone to the worm bin, filled the watering can, etc., I just want to feed the plants.
Maybe next season?
Cynthia H.
USDA Zone 9, Sunset Zone 17
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aprilopals
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- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:17 am
- Location: Australia
Hi there - a great way to avoid physically straining the compost out of your new tea is to put the compost in a plastic bag with holes in it and let the bag sit in a bucket filled with water. Another great idea for a smaller batch is to use an old pair of stockings. Just pull the bag or stocking out of the bucket when your tea has steeped and you are good to go!
Happy Composting
and you are good to go!Happy Composting