How to Build a Compost Tea Maker

Use mature compost to make compost tea.

At its most basic, compost tea is a nutrient-rich liquid made by seeping mature compost in water. You can buy compost tea at a garden center, or if you have a compost pile or bin, you can make it yourself and save money. Pumping oxygen into the water speeds up the brewing process so that it is complete in 24 hours. Use compost tea as a fertilizer and to restore beneficial organisms to the soil.

Things You'll Need

• Large fish tank aerator
• 2 1-foot sections of garden hose
• Hose clamps
• 5-gallon food-grade plastic bucket
• Large burlap bag
• 24- to 36-inch piece of heavy string
• Outdoor electrical outlet

Instructions

1. Look for the two air hose outputs on the bottom of the large fish tank aerator. Secure two 1-foot sections of garden hose to the outputs using the hose clamps. This will force more air into the compost tea maker. Do not connect aquarium air diffusers to the hoses. They can easily clog with compost particles that escape from the burlap bag.

2. Secure the aerator to the 5-gallon bucket by sliding the machine over the side of the bucket, just as you would in a fish tank. Move the bucket close to an outside electrical outlet as it will be heavy after adding the compost.

3. Line the assembly with an opened burlap bag. The burlap will protect the aerator from dirt until the compost is sealed in the bag.

4. Fill the burlap bag with compost. Tie the open end shut with heavy string. Press the entire bag into the bucket beneath the aerator.

5. Fill the bucket with non-chlorinated water. Spring, rain or well water are good choices. Chlorinated water can kill the beneficial bacteria.

6. Plug the aerator into an electrical outlet and let the tea brew for 12 to 24 hours.

7. Turn off the aerator and remove the assembly from the bucket. Lift the burlap bag from the bucket. The bag will be heavy. Use the contents of the bag as mulch for garden plants. The remaining liquid is the compost tea. Use it immediately to fertilize the desired garden spots.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't store compost tea. Covering the bucket or using closed containers will kill the beneficial organisms, which need air to thrive.

References

• "Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening," the Editors of Organic Gardening and Farming Magazine, 1975 (also the 1993 and 2009 editions)
• Simple Gifts Farm: Compost Tea Maker
• Compost Guide: Compost Tea