When it comes to creating and using the best all-natural organic fertilizer right at home, it’s hard to beat compost tea. Especially when you consider you can easily make batch after batch at – all completely for free!
Compost tea is an extremely fertile liquid solution that is simple to make by simply soaking compost in water. As the compost steeps, it slowly releases it’s nutrients into the water.
Once strained, the resulting liquid becomes an amazingly balanced fertilizer perfect for applying to plants. In fact, compost tea is great for boosting vitality of nearly any plant you can imagine. From vegetable plants, herbs, flowering annuals, perennials, shrubs, bushes and more!
And the most amazing thing of all? You only need two simple ingredients to make it – compost and water. Talk about simplicity!
Why Compost Tea Works Like Magic To Power Plants
The power of compost is undeniable. Compost is overflowing with all types of trace minerals and nutrients that plants love. And even better, all in a perfectly balanced make-up that provides a steady flow of energy to plants.
When mixed into the soil of gardens or flowerbeds, compost helps to re-energize and rejuvenate the soil to boost its fertility. The result is healthier soil, and more productive plants.
Compost tea works in much the same way, but with a more “instant” power. Instead of building soil vitality, the tea harnesses all of the nutrients of compost into a very powerful liquid form. One that can then be transferred to plants quickly via their roots and foliage.
As an all natural fertilizer, compost tea can be applied every few weeks to give plants a steady supply of natural nutrients. Unlike man-made synthetic fertilizers, it doesn’t contain high levels of salt.
Salt levels in many fertilizers can actually slowly destroy soil structure over time. This can lead to the need for even more fertilizers to obtain the same results.
All Natural Power For Plants – How To Make Compost Tea
Homemade compost tea on the other hand, contains all-natural minerals and nutrients. Instead of depleting resources or building up saline levels, it actually improves the soil, all while powering your plants in the process.
Even better, because of its naturally balanced levels of nutrients, there is little worry of overburdening plants with excessive nutrients. Just a steady stream of goodness that your plants will love!
Check Out Our Podcast On Making & Using Compost Tea!
And is it ever easy to use and apply! Homemade compost tea can be applied with a simple watering can, a gallon jug, or even a pump sprayer. By simply watering plants, the power heads right to where its needed most.
So how easy is it to make? As you will see below, easier than you can imagine! And in spite of what you may read, you don’t need fancy or specialized equipment to make the best all-natural liquid fertilizer around.
How To Make Compost Tea
Although you can find a lot of specialized recipes and gadgets for helping to make compost tea, they are completely unnecessary. Gardeners have been making compost tea for years without fancy circulating pumps or holding tanks, and the resulting tea is more than powerful enough to power plants with plenty of nutrients.
In fact, all you really need to make your own great liquid fertilizer is a 5 gallon bucket, compost, water and a stirring stick!
Begin by filling a 5 gallon bucket half-full of compost. If you have a backyard compost pile or bin, always select compost that is either completely decomposed or nearing completion.
Taking immature compost from a new pile unfortunately will not yield as many nutrients for your plants. If you don’t happen to have good compost on hand, you can also use bagged compost as an alternative .
Adding The Water
Next, fill the 5 gallon bucket to within a few inches from the top with water. As you fill the bucket, stir the compost and the water with your stirring stick. This allows the water to begin the process of absorbing the compost’s nutrients.
One quick note on your water source. It is extremely important to use untreated water when creating compost tea.
Unfortunately, treated water from water softeners or city water departments can contain additives, many of which can be harmful to plants. Well water, distilled water or rain water are all excellent choices to use for creating your tea.
Finish by placing the bucket in a shaded area that is out of direct sunlight. This will help to keep from losing valuable liquid from evaporation.
The Waiting Game – How To Make Compost Tea
It takes about 7 days for the nutrients from the compost to full absorb into the water. Be sure to stir the mixture at least once a day to re-agitate the solution. Twice a day (once in the morning, once in the evening) is even better.
After 7 days, strain the liquid through a cloth or old kitchen colander – and you are ready to fertilize! As for the left over compost – simply place it back into your compost bin to recharge with the pile. (See : How To Create The Perfect Compost Pile)
If you don’t have a compost pile, take the left over organic material and use it to mulch around plants. Although it has given many of its nutrients to the liquid solution, it still has organic value.
You can keep compost tea for a month or more if needed. Store with a lid to keep from evaporating. Here is to making your own homemade compost tea – and powering your plants this year naturally!
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