Make a Compost Tea - wikiHow

Make a Compost Tea - wikiHow

How to Make a Compost Tea

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

You have worked away at making some perfect compost. Here is a way to make it especially effective to help give plants a special boost or even to give them a quick-fix remedy when they're looking a little nutrient-deficient. Not a tea you want to drink but one that your plants will soak up greedily.

Steps

1. Check that your compost is ready for use. You can also use partially-composted matter - reach down past the top of the compost to the moist warm stuff below and pull out a handful. This way you don't have to wait weeks or months before making use of your compost.
   
2. Get a cloth bag and fill it up with your compost. Size of the bag should be small to medium - so that you can easily lift it when filled with compost.
   
3. Soak the filled bag in a watering can, tub, barrel or other outdoor container for 1 - 3 days.
   
4. The water should turn a dark chocolate color. Dilute it with new water to achieve a solution that is tea-colored.
   
5. Pour on plants thirsty for a boost.
   
6. You can re-use the compost tea-bag a few times.
   
7. When the bag is no longer producing dark colored water, its nutrients are exhausted and you can tip the solids back into the garden.
   

Video

A different method of making compost tea.

Tips

• Use the mixture on both indoor and outdoor plants.
  
• The mixture is suitable for potted plants, plants in garden beds and plants growing elsewhere.
  
• Saplings will also get a good boost from this mixture.
  
• Use non-chlorinated water or let it sit for a couple of days first.
  
• Aeration really helps. You can either hook up an aquarium pump with a hose or shake the container of water enough to produce a froth on the surface.
  

Warnings

• None! The compost tea-bag is not toxic and anyone can do it.
  
• Well... you probably shouldn't drink the tea. Unless you like tea that tastes like compost!
  

Things You'll Need

• Compost ready for use
  
• Cloth bag (about library bag sized or under)
  
• Watering can or container for soaking bag in
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Compost Successfully & Safely
  
• How to Find Free Compost Ingredients
  
• How to Build a Compost Bin
  
• How to Make Your Own Worm Compost System
  

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