Compost Tea, how refreshing!
When was the last time you gave your plants a refreshing drink of compost tea? It may sound like a strange notion but feeding your plants with compost tea is a wonderful way of providing wholesome and organic nourishment. Once a month, using our own compost, my gardeners mix up a batch and feed all the plants in the greenhouse. However, if they feel the plants are particularly stressed, they will administer the tea every two weeks. We purchased this wonderful little 10-gallon compost brewer from Growing Solutions, Inc. http://www.growingsolutions.com
Here’s Jodi filling the tank with tap water
This is the Compost Tea Catalyst, which stimulates important microbial growth in the tea.
The bubble action helps to release damaging chlorine from the water and incorporates beneficial oxygen.
Jodi filling the screen bucket with dark, rich compost
Submerging the screened bucket into the water where it will bubble and brew for 24 hours
Here’s Jodi the next day, filtering the compost tea into a pump sprayer
Jodi sprays the foliage with the tea for quick absorption. It also helps the plant fend off diseases.
Jodi also gives the roots a good drink, which nourishes and helps alleviate diseases of the soil.
Jodi has the best job, I love it.
Posted by: Amanda | February 29th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Oooh this is very cool. And it really looks similar to a coffee maker! Pretty greenhouses
Sues
Posted by: Sues | February 29th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Martha,
Thanks for the description of the compost tea brewing system that you have from Growing Solutions. I have been brewing my own compost tea solution for years. This equipment would make it easier for me. I'm glad to hear about it.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | February 29th, 2008 at 7:00 am
True to the "learn something new everyday" motto - I had never heard of treating plants with this before! What a great idea. Thanks for this informational blog.
Posted by: Emmy | February 29th, 2008 at 7:17 am
You find the neatest things! I sometimes wonder how much I would know about gardening if it wasn't for you. As a matter of fact, I was just watching one of your old shows and you were sharpening garden tools with an attachment you had found for your portable drill. I bought a similar one for my drill. Thanks for showing us your new compost brewer. I probably won't be getting one but it's nice to know they're available. Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 29th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Hi Martha,
I use a large 55 gal. container that I picked up at a yard sale for this very process of making compost tea. Plan on making a few modifications to the container to make the process of retrieving the compost tea a bit easier.
Thanks for the information.
Best,
Pauline Mucciaccio
Posted by: PAULINE MUCCIACCIO | February 29th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Anyone living near farm animals can make "manure tea" using the same process.
Posted by: Jay | February 29th, 2008 at 8:34 am
My rolling compost bin stores compost tea in its base - it's called the Envirocycle
Posted by: Ginger | February 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Now that is a good thing! Anyone with a garden should have one of these. I wonder, where do you find your planters?
Posted by: bill | February 29th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I can't tell you how excited I was to see your etsy segment on the show today! I've been a seller on etsy for over a year and can only rave about the site and it's founder(s).
Thank you so much for shedding more light on it!
Posted by: PamperingBeki | February 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Hi Martha, Oh, how I wish I had Jodi's job! Then I could have easy access to all of the new tools, equipment and processes that can be used to improve any gardening project. This blog about compost tea is fascinating and very useful. The photos are really great. I tried to go to the growingsolutions.com website but was unsuccessful. I guess I'll try again later and see if it works. Thanks for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 29th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
This is quite similar to a biodynamic preparation spray. For info on an even more holistic approach to gardening check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodynamic_agriculture
Posted by: Tarah | February 29th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
that growingsolutions.com link has a typo in it. I added the "t" to the URL in the address bar and it worked then.
Posted by: maurdel | February 29th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Martha, what a great thing to have. Thanks for sharing the info and photos on the compost tea.
Julie
Posted by: Julie Hasson | February 29th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Maurdel, Thank you for your help in finding the website growing solutions.com. I followed your directions and was successful in finding the site! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 29th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
What an awesome (and green) idea!
Posted by: Liz Ness | March 1st, 2008 at 11:18 am
I love this idea and was actually thinking that I would start composting the tea we use today. I have been using our coffee grinds and egg shells for years and have seen the benefits. Good stuff!
Posted by: Corey Doherty | March 1st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
What a great idea. I was wondering if that is for all plants? Vegetable and house plants? Indoor and outdoor plants?
Posted by: Pam | March 1st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Hi martha
Organic seems to be the way to go. Its wonderful what we can get from good old fashion natural. Enjoy your tea.
Posted by: chronic chick | March 1st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Martha:)
What a wonderful blog. My grandmother used compost tea for her roses and plants. She used manure tea and compost tea on her vegetable garden. She always had enough food to eat fresh all the summer and then we would do canning for the fall and winter. She made the best vegetable soup and tomato soup. Thanks for helping to bring back some great memories.
Linda Gail
Posted by: Linda Gail | March 1st, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Thanks for the idea! I'm ready for Spring!
Posted by: Korie B. | March 2nd, 2008 at 9:14 am
I bet that would be good for Plants. Martha have you ever heard about using Coffee Ground's? I just wonder,if that would be good,too? I may try the Tea,too. Thanks for alway's,showing Picture's.
Posted by: Melissa Hunt | March 2nd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I just love the article on compost tea! More years ago than I can remember my Grandmother taught me how she did her compost tea. It was not nearly so sophisticated, but was the same principle. When I had a garden I used this and it made all the difference in the world. My Grandmothers (both of them)we the wisest women. I was so lucky to have them in my life. Keep passing on these good things! Charlotte Goedken
Posted by: Charlotte | March 2nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
what a great ideal. Hey I would like to know where you got your jars (displayed in your kitchen; flour) I have been wanting them for a very long time.
Posted by: pam | March 2nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
hi martha, i am one of your fan from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I love to watched your programs which is so insteresting. Wish to meet you here in Malaysia one day....regards.
Posted by: rozie | March 3rd, 2008 at 4:46 am
Martha,
As I was vewing the pictures from the Superbowl I wondered what kind of shoulder bag you were carrying?
Thanks
Posted by: Melanie | March 4th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
My neighbors and I share a Growing Solutions Compost Tea System10 just like yours. We make compost tea on the weekends, taking turns to produce and use the 10 gallons of tea on our gardens and yards. Very easy to use and clean.
Posted by: Jerril | March 4th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
My Grandmother also made compost tea, but this unit makes it look so easy! I'm glad you linked to their webpage. There are lots of great organic gardening things going on in Oregon... come on out here for a visit!
Posted by: Cookie | March 4th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Hi Martha,
I love the compost tea maker you showed. I have several compost bins, including earthworm composting. I think it would be great to try your method and I will have lots of material. I like the fact that it helps with protecting the plants as well as feeding them.
Posted by: Chris | March 4th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Hello Martha:
I can't tell you how exciting it is to see your photo and a picture of my son Michael's compost tea machine on the same screen. It's just great that there is a link from your website to Growing Solutions. I hope you are enjoying your 10 gallon machine.
A Very Proud Mama - Jan Alms
Posted by: Jan Alms | March 5th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I have had a 25 gal. Growing Solution Tea Brewer for 5 years.
It is so easy to use and to apply.
My plants are "So Happy".
I no longer have white fly etc and am so very please with my healthy plants and veggies. They not only look great but taste delicious.
Good for you to have added this product to yourrecommended line.
Your viewers and readers will be very happy with this product and what it does for their plants.
Shirley
Posted by: Shirley Purcell | March 18th, 2008 at 12:36 am
In answer to the question below, YES! Aerobic Compost Tea is very useful as a foliar feeder, direct spray to surfaces and root drences and injections.
What a great idea.
(The question is below)
I was wondering if that is for all plants? Vegetable and house plants? Indoor and outdoor plants?
Posted by: steve brustkern | March 23rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I am amazing this nice post.Good for you to have added this product to yourrecommended line.
http://www.blossomingleaf.com/
Posted by: Mark Michael | August 30th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Dear Martha..
Just wanted to thank you for featuring Michael Alm and his Compost Tea System...
Michael is friend ours here in the beautiful Northwest and we truly value the educational aspect of your programs...and how important it is to share this information with the general about worm composting, compost tea systems and worm castings...
Thank you,
Chris Boissevain
Carol Boissevain
Owners Three Tree Farms
Posted by: Chris Boissevain | April 24th, 2009 at 12:46 pm