COMPOST TEA

What Compost Tea is and What it is Not

Why Use Compost Tea?To balance the system

Brewing Actively Aerated Compost TeaTypes of Compost Tea Brewers

The Bubbling Bucket

Recirculation Tea Brewers

Flowforms

Vortex Tea Brewers

Biodynamics

Biodynamic Stirring

The Water WizardViktor Schauberger

Compost Tea InputsHigh quality compost.

Annual Plants

Perennial Plants

Succession Group

Early Mid Late Old Growth

Fungal : Bacterial Ratio

Bacterial0:1 – 1:2

Balanced1:1

Fungal2:1 – 200:1

High Fungal201:1 – 1000:1

Example Plant Groups

Leafy greens, grasses

Woody annuals, grasses

Berries, nuts, stone fruits,

grasses

Conifers, oaks, nuts

Example Species

Spinach, carrot, broccoli

Tomato, corn, wheat

Strawberry, apple, timothy

grass

Pine, pecan, chestnut

Compost Tea InputsFood for the Microbes

Bacterial Fungal

Non-sulfured Molasses Kelp

Cane syrup Humates, Humic and Fulvic acids

Maple syrup Rock dusts (phosphate, granite, etc)

Sorghum syrup Fruit pulps

Fruit juices Aloe vera and Yucca

Fish hydrolysate

Mix at ½ to 1 Tablespoon per gallon

Mix at 1 to 4 Tablespoons per gallon

Compost Tea InputsMineral Catalysts

Compost Tea InputsOther possible inputs•Bacterial and Fungal Inoculants•Any organic fertilizer •Any specific nutrient source that your soil test recommends can also be added to the tea to make it more bioavailable.

How to Brew Compost TeaStep 1: Setup your commercial brewer OR make your

own with a food safe container, such as a 5 gallon bucket, an aquarium pump (at least a two outlet size, larger if possible), at least 4’ of food safe tubing connected to the pump, and also connect airstone(s) or weight the end of the tubing.

How to Brew Compost Tea

Step 2: Fill your container with clean, chlorine and chloramine free water. Rainwater is the best choice. Do NOT use water that has been through a water softener! Place your container in an area where spills will be acceptable.

How to Brew Compost Tea

Step 3: Drop the airstone or weighted tube into the container of water, plug in the pump and start bubbling.

How to Brew Compost Tea

Step 4: Add your inputs.

How to Brew Compost Tea

Step 5: Brew for 12-48 hours, depending on amount of aeration and desired microbe population .

Applying Compost Tea•Soil Drench•Sprayer

Application RatesAmount Minimum

RateMaximum

RateFequency

ofApplication

General Use 1 gallon per 250-500 square feet

1:16 1:1 Varies

Gardens 80 gallons per acre

1:16 1:2 Weekly

Lawns 80 gallons per acre

1:8 1:1 Monthly

Farms 20 gallons per acre

1:4 1:1 Bi-Monthly

Hydroponics Depends on resovoir size

1:50 1:8 Every 1-2 weeks

Some more ideas for using compost tea in different applications

•Compost Pile Innoculant•Seed Soak•Dipping plant cuttings•Diseased plants•Tree root soak•Houseplants

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