After reading Teaming with Microbes
, I decided that I had to brew some aerated compost tea. The directions in Teaming with Microbes are quite detailed, and while informative, they are a bit wordy. It took me several passes through to simplify the process for myself in to several clear steps. I decided to pass those steps on to you all, with the hopes of sharing a simpler version of the process. Please read the book if you would like more details, as many of them are not contained here.
Aerated compost tea contains bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa. These organisms will improve the soil food web in your garden soil, and will help defeat the pathogens and diseases. It improves the existing soil in your garden, and it is much quicker than gradually waiting for, or buying compost). The bubbling of the compost in water creates an aerobic compost tea.
You will need: With the exception of the aquarium air pump and the air stone, the rest of these items you should be able to find around your house.
- 5-gallon bucket
- a small bucket with a lid (for your compost)
- aquarium air pump
- air stone (to connect to the air pump)
- duct tape
- some type of porous bag (I just used pantyhose)
- 4 cups of compost
- molasses/ maple syrup/ fruit juice (for growing the microbes)
- fruit pulp (for growing the fungi)
- 4 tablespoons of oatmeal
Mix the compost and the oatmeal together. Add a small amount of moisture (it should look like a crumbled brownie). Now, place the lid on the container, and place it in a warm dark place. After three days, it should have white mold growing over the top. This process encourages the growth of fungi in the aerated compost tea. If you don't see any fungi after three days, just let it sit a bit longer. We waited a few days more to actually make the compost tea, and the fungi was much more developed, even more than is pictured.
Once you have sufficient amounts of fungi, put your compost inside the pantyhose, tie it in a knot, and place it in the 5-gallon bucket.
Tape the air stone to the bottom of the bucket with duct tape, hook it up to the aquarium air pump, add water, and plug it in. Make sure your tea brews away from direct sun.
Wait 24 to 36 hours. While the compost is aerating, you can add the molasses and fruit pulp to help aid in the growth of microbes and fungi. Your tea should smell like earth. If it doesn't, your compost has turned bad, and should be tossed.
The tea should be used shortly after brewing. I started mine on Saturday night, and applied it Sunday evening. It's better to apply it in the evening hours when the sun isn't as strong. To apply to your garden, you can use it as a soil drench (just pour it directly on the soil or plants), or you can water it on the garden with a watering can. Once you're done watering with your tea, make sure to wash all of the items used for brewing thoroughly.
The best part of aerated compost tea is that is can be used over and over. The more one uses in their garden, the better the results. I'm using the tea to help suppress the powdery mildew that arrives in my garden every year. It's also helpful in diminishing the presence of clover and quack grass. I'm going to keep track of where and when I use the compost tea, so I can better keep track of the results.
