Compost Tea

by Sunshine

6 Good Reasons to Use Compost Tea
http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/composttea.html

1. Increases plant growth
   It is chock full of nutrients and minerals that give greener leaves, bigger and brighter blooms, and increased size and yield of vegetables.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Provides nutrients to plants and soil
   The fast-acting nutrients are quickly absorbed by plants through their leaves or the soil. When used as a foliar spray plant surfaces are occupied by beneficial microbes, leaving no room for pathogens to infect the plant. The plant will suffer little or no blight, mold, fungus or wilt.
   
   
3. Provides beneficial organisms
   The live microbes enhance the soil and the immune system of plants. Growth of beneficial soil bacteria results in healthier, more stress-tolerant plants. The tea's chelated micronutrients are easy for plants to absorb.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Helps to suppress diseases
   A healthy balance is created between soil and plant, increasing the ability to ward off pests, diseases, fungus and the like. Its microbial functions include: competes with disease causing microbes; degrades toxic pesticides and other chemicals; produces plant growth hormones; mineralizes a plant's available nutrients; fixes nitrogen in the plant for optimal use.
   
   
5. Replaces toxic garden chemicals
   Perhaps the greatest benefit is that compost tea rids your garden of poisons that harm insects, wildlife, plants, soil and humans. It replaces chemical-based fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. And, it will never burn a plant's leaves or roots. Finally, you save money.
   
   
6. Makes you a "Green Planetary Citizen"
   Compost tea is just another way to feel good about respecting the earth in your own yard and garden. It allows you to be less a consumer of harmful products and more a resourceful gardener.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I make a simple tea fairly early on in most grows and usually one mid flowering to help things along.
It's easy, cheap, natural and the plants absolutely love it

Ingredients:
Unsulphered Molasses - Cheap

Fresh compost from your compost heap (or someone elses) - FREE

Water (if using tap bubble the water for a few hours before using)


Equipment:
Large bucket/container
Aquarium pump
Aquarium Heater (I set mine at 27c)

That's about as complicated as I like to make it. It's quite similar to making a yeast starter for brewing, we take the fresh compost which is full of nutrients, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and protozoans and providing ideal conditions to multiply these beneficial organisms.

So first up we have our water that's been bubbling for a few hours and to that we add the molasses, about a qtr or third of a jar will be fine for the amount I'm making today

Molasses added

Next we take about 4 cups of the compost and add to the brew

1. 
   
   Now it's a question of waiting 24 hours for the process to complete
   
   http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/how-to-brew-compost-tea