Want healthier soil and healthier plants? Consider making compost tea and applying it to both soil and plants on a regular basis. Compost tea innoculates soil with beneficial microorganism. Plants LOVE this magical brew.
Here's the recipe...
Best Compost Tea Recipe for Healthy Soil
A 5-gallon bucket
- A mesh bag
- 1-2 cup of active compost as an inoculant
- Non-chlorinated water (use well water, rainwater, or tap water that you have let sit for at least 24 hours)
- 1 T. Mineral Rock Dust for trace minerals
- A simple sugar food source for beneficial bacteria
- 1 T. organic, unsulfured molasses or other natural sugar source -- A complex sugar food source for beneficial fungi
1 T. each of Kelp/seaweed meal and humic acid OR 1 T. liquid fish fertilizer
The goal is to create a good balance of food for both beneficial bacteria and fungi, and it is okay to use what you have available.
Sir the water to add ingredients.
The mixture will need to be aerated for at least 24 hours to grow the beneficial organisms. You can do this by regularly stirring during the 24 hour period or by aerating with an air pump. I like to use a compost tea aerator which you can buy (link below) or create your own.
You can keep the brew for a couple of days longer before use IF you continue the aeration. Don't allow it to sit for too long or you'll lose the beneficial aerobic organisms and may even grow harmful anaerobic organisms.
Spray your brewed compost tea liberally on and around plants regularly to create a living, healthy soil for plant growth. When added to soil along with organic matter and mulch, compost tea can be used to inoculate and rehabilitate compromised soil.
Links to Ingredients & Supplies:
Kelp Extract:
https://www.groworganic.com/products/maxicrop-kelp-extract-lb
Liquid Fish Fertilizer
https://www.groworganic.com/products/peaceful-valley-organic-liquid-fish-2-3-0-5-1-qt
Rock dust
https://www.groworganic.com/search?q=rock+dust
Strainer bag:
https://www.groworganic.com/products/strainer-bag-for-pvfs-compost-tea-brewer
5 gallon bucket brewer system
https://www.amazon.com/Compost-Tea-Brewer-Kit-Bubbles/dp/B00JZD720E
Pre-mixed compost tea catalyst ($$)
https://www.groworganic.com/products/compost-tea-catalyst-4-5-lb-tub