About Manure Tea

Manure tea is a homemade garden fertilizer similar to compost teas. To make it, manure is soaked in water to concentrate the nutrients. There are different methods for using the tea, however anyone who makes or uses it should use appropriate caution.

Features

Manure tea is the liquid left over after manure has been steeped in water. Nutrients from the manure dissolve into the water, creating a concentrated liquid fertilizer. Before using the "tea," it should be diluted until it is the color of ordinary iced tea.

Function

Manure tea is used to water plants at the soil level. It's also helpful when transplanting. Dip the root ball in the manure tea and hold only the root ball in the liquid until bubbles stop coming to the surface. You can also fill hole with the tea and allow it to soak into the soil before planting trees and shrubs.

Time Frame

To make manure tea, wrap about 5 quarts of manure in a burlap sack and place it in a 5-gallon bucket filled with 3 gallons of water. Let the manure soak for one to two weeks. You can speed up the process by placing the manure directly into the water for three days, stirring daily. If you use the faster method, separate the solids from the liquid before using the tea. Stored properly, manure tea can last for several seasons.

Considerations

When using manure tea, the smell of manure is an unpleasant by-product. However, using rabbit manure is less offensive. The tea should be stored in a cool, dark place and should be covered with a lid or garbage bag to keep mosquitos from breeding in it. When using manure tea on plants, be careful to not wet the leaves of the plant as the smell may remain after the liquid evaporates from their surfaces.

Warning

Users of manure tea are often urged to switch to using a compost tea to avoid strains of E. coli and other diseases that can be contracted via contact with manure. Gardeners should wear gloves and be careful when making or using manure tea and should be aware of possible harmful runoff from the use or creation of the tea.

Resources

• Tips and tricks on Manure Tea from the Garden Grapevine
• Information on Manure and Compost teas from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service