How to Use Fresh Cow-Manure Tea for Gardens

Make manure tea to help plants grow strong.

Manure tea is simple to make from cow manure found at many garden supply stores. The tea can be used as fertilizer for plants in a garden or potted. Once made, the tea will have essential nutrients to help plants grow strong and healthy. Additionally, the leftover manure from the tea can be reused in compost and to fill in the flowerbeds.

Things You'll Need

• 5-gallon bucket or 40-gallon trash can, with lid
• Water
• Shovel
• Cow manure
• Burlap bag
• Watering can or spray bottle
• Funnel (optional)
• Cheesecloth (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill the bucket (for small batches) or trash can (for large batches) with water.

2. Fill the burlap bag with manure. The ratio of water to manure should be 5 to 1. Tie the bag closed. Place the bag inside the bucket, and cover with the lid. You can also pour the manure directly into the water. In this case, you will need to stir the manure a couple of times a day.

3. Leave the manure in the water for at least a couple of weeks.

4. Take the manure out of the water. If you placed the manure directly into the water, strain the tea with cheesecloth.

5. Dilute the tea with water before using; the tea is too strong on its own to add to plants. Fill a spray bottle about 1/4 of the way and top up with water before using on the plants.

6. Save the tea for a month before making a new batch.

Tips & Warnings

• Cured manure is generally considered better than fresh because it is not as strong.

References

• Garden Know How; Manure Tea for Garden - How to Make Manure Tea; Nikki Phipps