Introduction
Bad Gnome here. Coming atcha with my next favorite thing to drinking Long Island Ice Tea is making Compost Tea. Even better I am going to teach you young punks on how to make compost tea which is nutrient-rich and a wonderful liquid fertilizer. We all know that composting is a great way to reduce household waste and produce nutrient-rich soil amendments for your garden. But did you know that you can take your composting to the next level by making compost tea? Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer that is made by steeping compost in water, and it is an excellent way to feed your plants with the beneficial microbes and nutrients found in compost. In this blog post, we’ll go over the benefits of using compost tea in your garden, how to make it, and how to apply it to your plants.
While I am thinking of it, I should go grab some iced green sun tea from the fridge. BRB. Watch this movie trailer while you wait for me to get back.
What is Compost Tea?
Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer that is made by steeping compost in water. During the steeping process, the beneficial microbes found in the compost multiply and create a nutrient-rich solution that can be used to feed plants. Here at BGG, we like to side dress our vegetable plants with this stuff. It’s totally compatible with raised bed gardens.
Why Use Compost Tea in Your Garden?
Compost tea offers several benefits for your garden, including:
- Improved plant growth and health: Compost tea provides plants with a wide range of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as beneficial microbes that can help improve soil health and plant growth.
- Reduced plant diseases: The beneficial microbes found in compost tea can help prevent soil-borne diseases in your garden, such as root rot and fungal infections.
- Increased soil fertility: Compost tea helps to increase the fertility of your soil by providing nutrients that are essential for plant growth.
How to Make a Nutrient-Rich Compost Tea
Making compost tea is easy, and it only requires a few simple ingredients:
- A 5-gallon bucket
- 1-2 shovelfuls of mature compost
- Water (chlorine-free if possible)
- 1/4 cup of unsulfured molasses (optional)
Here’s how to make compost tea:
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket with water, leaving a few inches of space at the top.
- Add 1-2 shovelfuls of mature compost to the water.
- If desired, add 1/4 cup of unsulfured molasses to feed the beneficial bacteria in the compost.
- Stir the mixture well, making sure the compost is fully submerged.
- Cover the bucket with a piece of cheesecloth or a fine mesh screen to prevent debris from getting into the tea.
- Let the compost tea steep for 1-2 days, stirring occasionally.
- After 1-2 days, remove the cheesecloth or mesh screen and strain the compost tea into another container using a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
- Dilute the compost tea with water at a ratio of 1:10 (1 part compost tea to 10 parts water) before using it as a fertilizer.
How to Apply Nutrient-Rich Compost Tea to Your Plants
Compost tea can be applied to your plants in several ways, including:
- Watering can: Dilute the compost tea with water at a ratio of 1:10 and apply it to the soil around your plants using a watering can.
- Sprayer: Dilute the compost tea with water at a ratio of 1:10 and apply it to the leaves of your plants using a sprayer. This is known as a foliar spray and can help to prevent and treat fungal infections.
- Soil drench: For plants that are in need of extra nutrients or are showing signs of stress, you can apply undiluted compost tea directly to the soil around their roots.
It’s best to use compost tea within 24 hours of brewing, as the beneficial microbes will begin to die off over time.
Plants That Benefit from Nutrient-Rich Compost Tea
Compost tea is beneficial for a wide range of plants, including:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Squash
- Cucumbers
- Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Beets
- Herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, etc.)
- Fruit trees (apples, pears, cherries, etc.)
- Berry bushes (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.)
- Ornamental plants (roses, dahlias, etc.)
It’s important to note that not all plants will benefit from compost tea which is a nutrient-rich fertilizer, and some may even be harmed by it. For example, plants that prefer acidic soil, such as blueberries and azaleas, may not do well with compost tea.
Conclusion on How to Make Compost Tea
Compost tea is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that can help improve the health and growth of your plants while reducing the amount of waste you generate. By making compost tea and using it in your garden, you can create a more sustainable and healthy growing environment for your plants. Give it a try and see the difference it can make in your garden!
Thanks!
We would like to thank SwankImages for contributing the excellent images for the trailer. You can also view the trailer on our YouTube Channel or directly from this link –> https://youtu.be/sV1Mepz8OnQ
Ready, Set, Action!
Bad Gnome
