Compost tea sounds strange as it combines words pertaining to garbage and a hot drink.  It is actually a “tea” for plants and not for human beings. It fertilizes the soil and enhances water absorption to aid the food production of plants. How to make a compost tea will be another important step in making affordable fertilizers for your garden. Follow these steps:

1. Compost tea is invaluable to many organic gardeners. As the name entails, “compost tea” pertains to the water-dipping process that we do with our teas. It is easily made by soaking compost in water.  It replaces chemical-based fertilizers or toxic garden chemicals, pesticides and fungicides.  It is a liquid fertilizer that contains higher nutrients and soil microbes. These microbes enhance the soil’s composition, which gives nutrients to plant.  It also helps plants absorb water more efficiently. It can be drenched directly to the soil or sprayed on the leaves. Foliar application helps prevent diseases on the leaves.

2. Use the traditional method in making compost tea. Good compost from your kitchen wastes and garden are the basic ingredients. Look for a cloth bag or old pillow case; fill it with one shovel of mature compost. Put it in a pail of water and soak for one to two weeks. Rain water is much better if you can save some. If it’s not available, tap water is fine. Tap water may contain high level of chlorine – enough to kill healthy bacteria. It is best to let your compost settle for a few hours before you apply. Mix the solution three to four times daily using a spoon.  Mixing helps to aerate the tea.  It enhances the aerobic microorganisms.

3. Use the advance method that involves a pump bubbler and additional ingredients. You will need 2 to 5 gallon buckets , 1 gallon mature compost, 1 aquarium pump or pump bubbler, 1 gang valve to divide the air supply into several streams,  gallons of water, and 3 feet or more of aquarium hose and unsulfured molasses. You can also use 500 grams of brown sugar instead of unsulfured molasses.

4. Prepare the bucket with water. Make sure to run the pump bubbler through the water about an hour before using it. This will allow the chlorine to evaporate. Attach 3 separate pieces of hose onto the bucket. Add your good compost to the bucket until it is full.  Red worms or their waste will make your recipe more fertile. Bat guano is also another option for adding nutrients to your compost tea.  Once you’ve done your mixes, add some sweet molasses – about 2 tablespoons for every 4 gallons of water. Molasses serves as the food for helpful bacteria that you are breeding.  Stir your solution thoroughly.

5. Once you complete the solution, you need to aerate your compost tea. Turn on your bubble pump and leave it for two to three days. If there is no available pump bubbler, you can do it manually. Get a spoon and patiently mix it a few times daily. Avoid exposing your tea to the sun. Keep it shaded. After a few days, your compost tea will be ready. The tea will smell sweet and earthy – ready to use for your plants. Strain the solution then prepare your gardening container or sprayer. Use an old stocking as a filter before filling your sprayer to keep it from clogging. Apply the tea immediately to your plants – the beneficial microbes will begin to die shortly.

How to make a compost tea is a very rewarding task. It can make your plants healthy, allowing you to have an abundant harvest and enjoy an environmentally-friendly life.