Garden Secret - Compost Tea

Compost Tea (AKA liquid gold) isn’t just a trendy buzzword; it’s a proven way to enrich your soil, boost plant health, and reduce dependency on outside inputs.

Compost tea is a nutrient-rich liquid made by steeping compost in water. The goal is to extract and multiply beneficial microbes—like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa—that improve soil health and help plants absorb nutrients more effectively.

There are two main types of compost tea:

• Aerated Compost Tea (ACT): Made using a bubbler or air pump to introduce oxygen during brewing. This encourages the growth of aerobic microbes that support healthy plant roots and suppress disease.

• Non-aerated Compost Tea: Simpler to make but less effective. It can lead to anaerobic conditions, which may promote pathogens. Stick to ACT for the best results.

How to Brew Compost Tea

You’ll need:

• A 5-gallon bucket

• Finished compost (1–2 cups per gallon of water)

• Non-chlorinated water (rainwater or dechlorinated tap water)

• An aquarium air pump with tubing and an air stone

• A mesh bag or nylon stocking (to hold compost)

• Optional: Unsulfured molasses (1 tablespoon per gallon) to feed microbes

Steps:

1. Fill your mesh bag with compost and place it in the bucket.

2. Add water, leaving a few inches of space at the top.

3. Add molasses (optional, but helpful).

4. Place the air stone in the bottom and run the air pump continuously for 24–36 hours.

5. The tea should smell earthy and sweet. If it smells sour or rotten, toss it and try again.

Use the tea immediately after brewing. Microbial activity peaks right after aeration, and delays reduce its effectiveness.

How to Apply Compost Tea

Foliar Spray: Strain the tea and spray it directly onto leaves. This helps plants absorb nutrients through stomata and introduces beneficial microbes that outcompete pathogens on the leaf surface.

Soil Drench: Pour the tea around the base of plants to boost microbial life in the root zone. This improves nutrient cycling and root health.

Compost Activator: Pour it onto your compost pile to accelerate decomposition and enrich microbial diversity.

Apply compost tea early in the morning or in the evening to avoid UV damage to microbes. Repeat applications every 1–2 weeks during the growing season for best results.

Why It Works

Healthy soil is alive. The microbes in compost tea break down organic matter, fix nitrogen, and help make minerals available to plants. They also build soil structure, reduce compaction, and improve water retention. Plus, a diverse microbial ecosystem protects plants from disease by outcompeting harmful pathogens.

A well-made compost tea can even help rehabilitate tired or abused soils—a big win if you’re working with land that’s been overworked or depleted.