How to Make Compost Tea

Compost Tea is a simple organic fertilizer. It can be used as foliar (leaf applied) fertilizer as well. It can be used to fertilize the entire garden.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compost

1. First you'll need some compost. If you don't have a compost pile see my article on How to make a Compost Pile. You can also use processed manure from your local seed and feed store. It will work just as well.

2. Next take a 5 gal. pale or a large plastic trash can. Fill your container 2/3 full of water. Then take a nylon or a pair of panty hose and place enough compost or manure into the nylon (tie end closed) to bring water level to within 3" of container top. Cover with clear sheet of plastic and leave in sun.

3. Stir this mixture every other day and leave in the sun for a week. You'll know when it's done, the contents will smell rank and will be bubbly. Remove the nylon, you may want to filter thru another nylon if you intend to use in a sprayer. Dilute this mixture to 1 part Tea to 10 parts water and use in the entire garden.

Tips & Warnings

• Can also be used as a foliar fertilizer.
• Use this mixture on all your house plants. They'll almost perk up before your eyes.
• Compost will contain a high percentage of nitrogen and can kill your plants if Tea is not dilute. I can not stress this enough, I know, I've killed my share of tomato plants.

[murch5678]

on 5/10/2009 Great compost tea instructions. And it does make your plants happy.

[starlet67]

on 3/25/2009 Never knew of compost tea...until now...great info!5*

[juliemcmurchie]

on 3/12/2009 Great instructions for making compost tea. 5*

[lovingmylife]

on 3/9/2009 Thanks for the tips! Will try soon, it's warm here.

[langleycornwell]

on 3/9/2009 Excellent. I have a great compost pile but have never made the tea. Thanks for the idea and the clear instructions. Can't wait until it gets hot here! 5 stars and a recommendation.