How to Make Organic Compost Tea
Every gardener should use compost tea. Along with it's cousin
"manure tea", they are the "liquid gold"
of flower, herb, and vegetable gardening. It's the perfect organic fertilizer,
to feed all of your plants. If you are not currently making and using Compost
Tea, you are likely spending money for a liquid fertilizer. Don't you think
it's time to stop spending hard earned cash, and use free, easy to make,
organic compost tea? Sure you do!
Yes, organic compost tea is easy to make. Just soak compost in water for
a few days. The material releases nutrients and minerals into the water,
which is then drained off for use in feeding your garden plants.
When is the best tea time for your plants? ..........Anytime! Any and every
plant responds positively, with new, greener growth. In liquid form, nutrients
and minerals are readily absorbed by your plants. It reaps fast rewards with
greener leaves, bigger, brighter blooms, and large, more prolific fruit and
vegetables. From the minute your seedlings emerge, to the final days
of fall, your plants benefit from the nutrient rich ingredients of compost
tea.
Organic gardeners...... compost tea is for you. It is completely organic!
Tip: Your houseplants will enjoy
compost tea, too.
How to make Compost Tea:
Any large container will do, from a 5 gallon bucket to a 55 gallon drum.
Fill the container loosely with a variety of plant waste. Yes, you can throw
a little manure in, too. Fill the container with water. Stir the mixture
every day. Aeration is important to the process of making compost tea. After
a week, your tea is ready to use.
Drain off the liquid. Use a strainer, to remove solid particles. If you are
going to use the liquid fertilizer in a garden sprayer, strain the tea through
a cheesecloth or other fine mesh, to remove small particles that can clog
the sprayer.
The resulting pure compost tea can be too strong for your plants. The nitrogen
content can be so high, that it burns the plants. Before applying the tea
to your plants, mix 10 parts water with one part compost tea. This 10:1 ratio
dilutes the nutrient levels, so the tea can be safely applied.
Spread leftover solid material on your garden, or put it back into your
composter, or onto the compost pile for later use.
Tip: Apply this liquid fertilizer for foliar feeding, too. Sprinkle
diluted compost tea on the plant leaves. The fertilizer is readily absorbed
by the leaves.
Important Note: The liquid nutrients in compost tea, is used immediately
by plants. Because it is in liquid form, it washes out of your soil quickly.
Frequent applications are recommended.
Liquid Fertilizers versus Solid Granular Fertilizers
Because they are in soluble form, liquid fertilizers, like organic compost
tea, have an almost immediate impact on your plants. The nutrients are quickly
absorbed by the plant's root system. The benefit of liquid fertilizers
is short-lived. In liquid form, the nutrients do not stay in the soil long.
Solid fertilizers, like granular fertilizers and compost, release nutrients
more slowly over a period of time. It takes longer to begin to benefit your
plants. But, it lasts for weeks.
We believe the best fertilization program utilizes a combination of both
liquid and solid fertilizers.
Related Topics:
How to Make and Use Organic Manure Tea - it's
a great garden fertilizer
What to Compost -discover
what materials to use and what not to use.
Compost and Mulch - use these liberally in your
garden.
About Composters - learn about
compost tumblers, compost bins and their features.
Buy Composters - make your own organic fertilizer.
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