This is very useful infomation, I am in the lawncare business is compost tea go for lawns. Is there a easy way to kill weeds in the lawn is there a tea for that?
In all the Compost tea discussions I find no mention of storing the tea. I wonder how long does it keep? Does one store it covered or uncovered and open to the air? Can one use compost tea in a hydroponic system? Will it keep? Many thanks to anyone who knows the answers to this.
@gleoleb If you are to use it in Hydroponic growing you first need to ensure you DO use an airation compost tea "bubbler" as it could present pathogens into your growing set up if you use it in the manner shown in the video...not cool. Compost tea will store for a few months but have found it better to boil down (gas cooker/40gal metal drum) and concentrate the brew then bottle for later dilution and application. Just like a liquid feed you would find in your local garden store.
@GrassRoutesCommunity Thank you for the very quick response. You said, "Compost tea will store for a few months" - that sounds good - if I wish to store it - would I store it in an open container? Sealed container? Continued aeration? Maybe room temperature? (not hot?) I like your thoughts on boiling the solution to make a concentrate, however realize that if I do so - I would be killing off the natural "good" bacteria.
@gleoleb With a lid on in the shade after it has been brewed to your satisfaction. Concentrating will kill some bacteria but its not really about bacteria. Plants cant eat them really, so its nutrients and trace elements that you should be concerned with. And a good compost tea has ample of both. Once concentrated it makes it easier to apply (find a ratio that works for your garden).I think people are to hung up on"good bacteria" arguement. Plants dont metabolise bacteria. Hope it helps
>>>>So a brew such as this although not completely ideal, will still contain the required nutrients. Doesnt matter about smell. If it does smell after dilution, dilute it more. Once added to the soil the anaerobic life dies upon contact with oxygen, and proceeding spores and the likes wont survive anyway, leaving nothing but good stuff that will suffice. So what exactly is the problem here...if you cant stand the smell do the hard work stirring or buy an unnesessary bubbler.
An explanation...anaerobic microbial life is ONLY threatening to plants when said plants are exposed to them for a prolonged period of time. Most often in boggy undrained soil. A question for the doubters,
1)What happens when anaerobic organisms are exposed to Oxygen eg-free draining soil?
If you dont know, then perhaps you shouldnt be offering advice here. You need not a bubbler nor to stir. What you are trying to attain is a solution containing nutrients and trace elements..in general. >>>>
what in the world? this creates the potential for very bad situations. although Ryan's language is lacking his comments are not. this is an anaerobic process you have going here. yes it may work OR it may bring about the potential for some devestating pathogens and even ecoli.
aerobic or AACT is preferred 1billion to 1 to anaerobic processes. this goes against everything that is taught these days READ: Teaming w/ Microbes, and anything by Elaine Ingham
@Ryanventura Doesnt matter if the nutrients and trace elements are there who cares about how you get them. Compost tea is so simple I mae it from horse manure in 5mins flat. Manure in bucket plus water, stir til water is reddish brown, drain and pour straight on to garden as is. Compost tea is not a science. You can do the same with seaweed (takes about 6wks), or fish waste, or comfrey or a combination. Anearobes are unhealthy and stinky but they arent detrimental to plants.
@GrassRoutesCommunity You're a leading soil specialist yet you think compost tea is not a science... Ok, have fun with your stinky compost tea. Mine smells sweet and earthy... fuck your advice.
@GrassRoutesCommunity Seriously?! You've been doing this for 20 years?! How can people stand to walk in your garden? You might as well be taking a crap right on your plants!
@GrassRoutesCommunity from cornell Oxygen is essential for the metabolism and respiration of aerobic microorganisms, and for oxidizing the various organic molecules present in the waste material. At the beginning of microbial oxidative activity, the O2 concentration in the pore spaces is about 15-20% (similar to the normal composition of air), and the CO2 concentration varies form 0.5-5%. If the average O2 concentration in the pile falls below about 5%, regions of anaerobic conditions develop.
@Ryanventura Hmm copy and paste...the number one cop out for those who do not fully grasp the conversation in which they have entered. However, the brew IS anaerobic(there is NO denying that) but when applyed in a diluted form to the earth it becomes aerobic (so long as soil drains well) and leaves nothing but goodies for the garden to assimilate. That is the reason I say n t to worry too much about if the brew is anaerobic or not. So long as it contains the required nutrients it will do fine.
@GrassRoutesCommunity You don't even know what compost tea is about. It's not about soluble nutrients and trace elements (although those are nice bonuses), it's about greatly multiplying beneficial microorganisms by BREWING OVER TIME W/ OXYGEN. Something you need OXYGEN OVER TIME for. Maybe it is you, who should stop posting pointless advice.
@Ryanventura Compost tea n ~ a solution of organic waste matter used as plant fertilizer or insecticide.
Research citations Citations: 1958 Lima News (Ohio) (Mar. 24) “Bluffton Rabbit Raiser Finds Use For Waste” (in Bluffton) p. 4: The Amstutz compost-humus product is especially helpful to the housewife for potting plants. About 25 percent of the mixture in potting soil should be compost. Making a “compost tea” is also suggested for watering plants. >>>>
@Ryanventura >>> This mixed in the ration of one pound of compost-humus to each gallon of water. 1980 Peter Tonge @ Weymouth Christian Science Monitor (Boston, Massachusetts) (July 11) “Sturdy Kohlrabi finds its way to table in many ways”: Applications of a manure or compost “tea” every week or so, once the stems have begun to bulb out, helps a lot. Put a couple of shovelfuls of manure or compost in a burlap bag and let is soak in several gallons of water for about three days. >>>
@Ryanventura >>>Draw off the muddy liquid and add more water until it has the appearance of light tea. Then feed it to the young plants. 1986 Cathy Reiner Seattle Times (Washington) (May 4) “Garbage In Compost Out—Low-Cost Source Of Fertilizer Is Also A Good Way To Ease County’s Problem With Landfills” p. E4: Other methods at the site include earthworm bins, compost “tea” brewers and a complex bioreactor that is designed to produce heat and energy.
@Ryanventura >>>2002 Deborah Rich San Francisco Chronicle (California) (July 20) “Feeding plants compost tea” p. HO-3: Spraying compost tea coats plants with a dense and diverse population of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. A good tea can contain as many as 25,000 species of bacteria. Once on the leaves, compost tea suppresses diseases in several ways, including crowding out unbeneficial microorganisms, causing antibiotic reactions against diseases and consuming>
@Ryanventura >>>pathogens. 2006 Michelle Locke Modesto Bee (California) (Sept. 9) “A Spritz of Sunscreen”: The compost teas are part of an approach known as biodynamics, a type of farming that bans use of artificial pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, and promotes crop and wildlife diversity to curb pests.The theory is that if a plant is resistant to problems such as drought or insects “there’s something in that plant that causes that resistance.>>>
@Ryanventura >>>So you just take that, you make a tea out of it and spray it on whatever you want that you want to have that resistance.” Argue with thee experts. The ORIGINAL Compost Tea was a Burlap sack and Manure or compostable green matter which was steeped in a 50gal barrel for 3-5 days...no stirring no bubblers. Compost Tea = compost in tea form. No denying an oxygenated brew is potentailly better(depending on ingredients of course)but I firmly believ the old way is easier.
@Ryanventura It is undrained soil which accumulates water that then goes stagnant that harbours anaerobes in a garden setting which kills plants. If soil is free-draining (aerobic) then anaerobes cannot survive...riiight? Perhaps it is you who needs to re-do Biology 101...Blahing on like you have something to prove without in depth knowledge on the undertaken subject is folly. I was offering sound advice from an expert position...what were you doing? Dissing someones technique! pfft
I would add dolomite lime to the mix at the end to neutralise the Uric Acid and sweeten the PH of the brew. This way ALL nutrients and and trace elements are "free-flowing" (not locked up in plant hazardous salt forms) and are fully accessable to your plants from the get go. Also some plants require different things, so this brew will work well for most plants but could be detrimental to others. Ab lib with this brew I would say. Thumbs up for Fish waste-great tip. Washed seaweed is even better.
@Ryanventura The reason this tea works is because once diluted and mixed with water then added to the garden it is well oxygenated and the anaerobic activity will die off, taking the smell with it.
@GrassRoutesCommunity You should really study biology and chemistry.. compost tea takes time to "brew" because the oxygen from aerating favors an aerobic chemical reaction.. these chemical reactions are what allow the aerobic microorganisms to breed and they take time. If you put a lid on it, then mix it with water, it may kill off pathogens due to the new oxygen, but you surely won't have many beneficial microorganisms either.
@Ryanventura Yea nah it doesnt. I am a leading soil specialist. Have been for almost 20yrs...dealing exclusively with organic and permaculture techniques. I am hired by leading companies to bring about a more ecologically viable business model and approach to garden care and soil biodiversity. Perhaps you may just want to take some advice from someone who actually knows. Chemistry will teach you little of these processes. Take it from someone who knows my advice is sound.
Comment removed
stymye 1 week ago
This is very useful infomation, I am in the lawncare business is compost tea go for lawns. Is there a easy way to kill weeds in the lawn is there a tea for that?
envisionlawns 1 month ago
take a look at my compost tea video where I show oyu how to use a soaker hose instead of those air stones that always clog up :)
ArizonaAdventures 1 month ago
In all the Compost tea discussions I find no mention of storing the tea. I wonder how long does it keep? Does one store it covered or uncovered and open to the air? Can one use compost tea in a hydroponic system? Will it keep? Many thanks to anyone who knows the answers to this.
gleoleb 1 month ago
@gleoleb If you are to use it in Hydroponic growing you first need to ensure you DO use an airation compost tea "bubbler" as it could present pathogens into your growing set up if you use it in the manner shown in the video...not cool. Compost tea will store for a few months but have found it better to boil down (gas cooker/40gal metal drum) and concentrate the brew then bottle for later dilution and application. Just like a liquid feed you would find in your local garden store.
GrassRoutesCommunity 1 month ago
@GrassRoutesCommunity Thank you for the very quick response. You said, "Compost tea will store for a few months" - that sounds good - if I wish to store it - would I store it in an open container? Sealed container? Continued aeration? Maybe room temperature? (not hot?) I like your thoughts on boiling the solution to make a concentrate, however realize that if I do so - I would be killing off the natural "good" bacteria.
gleoleb 1 month ago
@gleoleb With a lid on in the shade after it has been brewed to your satisfaction. Concentrating will kill some bacteria but its not really about bacteria. Plants cant eat them really, so its nutrients and trace elements that you should be concerned with. And a good compost tea has ample of both. Once concentrated it makes it easier to apply (find a ratio that works for your garden).I think people are to hung up on"good bacteria" arguement. Plants dont metabolise bacteria. Hope it helps
GrassRoutesCommunity 1 month ago
Comment removed
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
Comment removed
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
>>>>So a brew such as this although not completely ideal, will still contain the required nutrients. Doesnt matter about smell. If it does smell after dilution, dilute it more. Once added to the soil the anaerobic life dies upon contact with oxygen, and proceeding spores and the likes wont survive anyway, leaving nothing but good stuff that will suffice. So what exactly is the problem here...if you cant stand the smell do the hard work stirring or buy an unnesessary bubbler.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
An explanation...anaerobic microbial life is ONLY threatening to plants when said plants are exposed to them for a prolonged period of time. Most often in boggy undrained soil. A question for the doubters,
1)What happens when anaerobic organisms are exposed to Oxygen eg-free draining soil?
If you dont know, then perhaps you shouldnt be offering advice here. You need not a bubbler nor to stir. What you are trying to attain is a solution containing nutrients and trace elements..in general. >>>>
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
what in the world? this creates the potential for very bad situations. although Ryan's language is lacking his comments are not. this is an anaerobic process you have going here. yes it may work OR it may bring about the potential for some devestating pathogens and even ecoli.
aerobic or AACT is preferred 1billion to 1 to anaerobic processes. this goes against everything that is taught these days READ: Teaming w/ Microbes, and anything by Elaine Ingham
heyisitinyet 2 months ago
Basically, you're breeding anaerobes and then killing them.
Ryanventura 2 months ago
@Ryanventura Doesnt matter if the nutrients and trace elements are there who cares about how you get them. Compost tea is so simple I mae it from horse manure in 5mins flat. Manure in bucket plus water, stir til water is reddish brown, drain and pour straight on to garden as is. Compost tea is not a science. You can do the same with seaweed (takes about 6wks), or fish waste, or comfrey or a combination. Anearobes are unhealthy and stinky but they arent detrimental to plants.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@GrassRoutesCommunity Lol Compost tea is not a science? Uuuuuuuuuunsubscribe.
Ryanventura 2 months ago
@GrassRoutesCommunity You're a leading soil specialist yet you think compost tea is not a science... Ok, have fun with your stinky compost tea. Mine smells sweet and earthy... fuck your advice.
Ryanventura 2 months ago
@GrassRoutesCommunity Seriously?! You've been doing this for 20 years?! How can people stand to walk in your garden? You might as well be taking a crap right on your plants!
Ryanventura 2 months ago
@GrassRoutesCommunity from cornell Oxygen is essential for the metabolism and respiration of aerobic microorganisms, and for oxidizing the various organic molecules present in the waste material. At the beginning of microbial oxidative activity, the O2 concentration in the pore spaces is about 15-20% (similar to the normal composition of air), and the CO2 concentration varies form 0.5-5%. If the average O2 concentration in the pile falls below about 5%, regions of anaerobic conditions develop.
Ryanventura 2 months ago
@Ryanventura Hmm copy and paste...the number one cop out for those who do not fully grasp the conversation in which they have entered. However, the brew IS anaerobic(there is NO denying that) but when applyed in a diluted form to the earth it becomes aerobic (so long as soil drains well) and leaves nothing but goodies for the garden to assimilate. That is the reason I say n t to worry too much about if the brew is anaerobic or not. So long as it contains the required nutrients it will do fine.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
@GrassRoutesCommunity You don't even know what compost tea is about. It's not about soluble nutrients and trace elements (although those are nice bonuses), it's about greatly multiplying beneficial microorganisms by BREWING OVER TIME W/ OXYGEN. Something you need OXYGEN OVER TIME for. Maybe it is you, who should stop posting pointless advice.
Ryanventura 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Ryanventura Compost tea n ~ a solution of organic waste matter used as plant fertilizer or insecticide.
Research citations Citations: 1958 Lima News (Ohio) (Mar. 24) “Bluffton Rabbit Raiser Finds Use For Waste” (in Bluffton) p. 4: The Amstutz compost-humus product is especially helpful to the housewife for potting plants. About 25 percent of the mixture in potting soil should be compost. Making a “compost tea” is also suggested for watering plants. >>>>
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
@Ryanventura >>> This mixed in the ration of one pound of compost-humus to each gallon of water. 1980 Peter Tonge @ Weymouth Christian Science Monitor (Boston, Massachusetts) (July 11) “Sturdy Kohlrabi finds its way to table in many ways”: Applications of a manure or compost “tea” every week or so, once the stems have begun to bulb out, helps a lot. Put a couple of shovelfuls of manure or compost in a burlap bag and let is soak in several gallons of water for about three days. >>>
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Ryanventura >>>Draw off the muddy liquid and add more water until it has the appearance of light tea. Then feed it to the young plants. 1986 Cathy Reiner Seattle Times (Washington) (May 4) “Garbage In Compost Out—Low-Cost Source Of Fertilizer Is Also A Good Way To Ease County’s Problem With Landfills” p. E4: Other methods at the site include earthworm bins, compost “tea” brewers and a complex bioreactor that is designed to produce heat and energy.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
@Ryanventura >>>2002 Deborah Rich San Francisco Chronicle (California) (July 20) “Feeding plants compost tea” p. HO-3: Spraying compost tea coats plants with a dense and diverse population of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. A good tea can contain as many as 25,000 species of bacteria. Once on the leaves, compost tea suppresses diseases in several ways, including crowding out unbeneficial microorganisms, causing antibiotic reactions against diseases and consuming>
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
@Ryanventura >>>pathogens. 2006 Michelle Locke Modesto Bee (California) (Sept. 9) “A Spritz of Sunscreen”: The compost teas are part of an approach known as biodynamics, a type of farming that bans use of artificial pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, and promotes crop and wildlife diversity to curb pests.The theory is that if a plant is resistant to problems such as drought or insects “there’s something in that plant that causes that resistance.>>>
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
@Ryanventura >>>So you just take that, you make a tea out of it and spray it on whatever you want that you want to have that resistance.” Argue with thee experts. The ORIGINAL Compost Tea was a Burlap sack and Manure or compostable green matter which was steeped in a 50gal barrel for 3-5 days...no stirring no bubblers. Compost Tea = compost in tea form. No denying an oxygenated brew is potentailly better(depending on ingredients of course)but I firmly believ the old way is easier.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
@Ryanventura It is undrained soil which accumulates water that then goes stagnant that harbours anaerobes in a garden setting which kills plants. If soil is free-draining (aerobic) then anaerobes cannot survive...riiight? Perhaps it is you who needs to re-do Biology 101...Blahing on like you have something to prove without in depth knowledge on the undertaken subject is folly. I was offering sound advice from an expert position...what were you doing? Dissing someones technique! pfft
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
Comment removed
Ryanventura 2 months ago
I would add dolomite lime to the mix at the end to neutralise the Uric Acid and sweeten the PH of the brew. This way ALL nutrients and and trace elements are "free-flowing" (not locked up in plant hazardous salt forms) and are fully accessable to your plants from the get go. Also some plants require different things, so this brew will work well for most plants but could be detrimental to others. Ab lib with this brew I would say. Thumbs up for Fish waste-great tip. Washed seaweed is even better.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
Why do you put a lid on it? Doesn't a bad smell indicate pathogens and shouldn't you be oxygenating your tea by stirring often or with an air pump?
Ryanventura 2 months ago
@Ryanventura The reason this tea works is because once diluted and mixed with water then added to the garden it is well oxygenated and the anaerobic activity will die off, taking the smell with it.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
@GrassRoutesCommunity You should really study biology and chemistry.. compost tea takes time to "brew" because the oxygen from aerating favors an aerobic chemical reaction.. these chemical reactions are what allow the aerobic microorganisms to breed and they take time. If you put a lid on it, then mix it with water, it may kill off pathogens due to the new oxygen, but you surely won't have many beneficial microorganisms either.
Ryanventura 2 months ago
@Ryanventura Yea nah it doesnt. I am a leading soil specialist. Have been for almost 20yrs...dealing exclusively with organic and permaculture techniques. I am hired by leading companies to bring about a more ecologically viable business model and approach to garden care and soil biodiversity. Perhaps you may just want to take some advice from someone who actually knows. Chemistry will teach you little of these processes. Take it from someone who knows my advice is sound.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
nice birds of paradise.
W4V3MAKER 4 months ago
i would not put any weeds with bulbs , such as oxalis in the compost, anything else is fine
greenurbanliving 6 months ago
@greenurbanliving Oxalis leaf is fine, and a hot/sun brewed tea will kill any bulbs if too lazy to remove manually.
GrassRoutesCommunity 2 months ago
hi great tips!, is there any plants i can't put in the compost tea?
november211975 8 months ago
No wander your tea gets stinky.
Safet 8 months ago