Have a drink with your plants with compost tea
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
We have all heard of compost and all-naturally created compost is best for planets, but have you heard of compost tea?
Compost tea is made up of simple compost soil and water and allowing it to sit for long periods to gain beneficial bacteria that plants simply love.
The purpose of compost tea is to help rebuild soils structure and improve drainage within the plant, help to stimulate root growth, reduce shock on the plants, stimulate flowering which in turn will produce more fruits, and it can help ease the stress on plants as well.
The most beneficial aspect of compost tea is the fact that it can protect a plant or flower from insect damage and disease.
You can make your own compost tea at home and use on your plants everyday. Here’s how.
What you will need to make your own compost tea:
5-gallon bucket with lid
A small aquarium pump with small hose
Water
Compost (make sure it is compost with kitchen scrapes and cuttings)
Drill
Fill the bucket with the compost half full then add the water till it reaches the top if the bucket and stir to mix together. Stir the contents for about 3-5 minutes ensuring complete combining.
With the drill, punch a hole into the middle of the lid, large enough for the hose to fit through but not so big that air will escape rapidly. Fit the hose through the hole and place the lid on top of the bucket. Plug in the pump and allow to sit for a 24 hours in the sun.
Remove the lid and dip out the tea. Most of what is made is a tea from the compost, but it also contains good bacteria. Pour your liquid into a spray bottle or watering can and pour away.
