The idea behind organic compost tea is simple, take all of the beneficial nutrients and microbes that are found in quality, mature compost and put them into liquid form for easy application and fast absorption by plants and soil.
It is generally made by first making compost, or purchasing ready made compost and covering it with water, allowing the compost to steep. Nutrients, or food are added to the compost/water mixture to allow the microorganisms present in the compost to multiply rapidly. Air is added to the mixture to favor the beneficial aerobic bacteria rather than potentially harmful pathogens. After the brewing process is done the compost is strained out and you are left with compost tea, an organic fertilizer full of beneficial micro bacteria (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes.)
Benefits of Using Compost Tea as Organic Fertilizer
- For outdoor and indoor vegetation
- Provides nutrients to plants and soil
- Provides beneficial organisms
- Helps suppress diseases
- Replaces toxic garden chemicals
- Reduce application of commercial chemical fertilizers
- Increases water and nutrient retention
Making Compost Tea Using the UCT-9 Compost Tea Brewer
The Urban Compost Tumbler provides an easy way to make compost tea quickly and easily! Because of the patented central aeration tube the Urban Compost Tumbler is uniquely designed to produce beneficial, nutritious compost tea for your plants. By purchasing the UCT-9 Tea Catcher you can easily make up to 6 quarts of compost tea right in your Urban Compost Tumbler! Making compost tea in your Urban Compost Tumbler is easy, just follow these steps:
-First, start with finished mature compost. Be careful not to use the dark colored solution that may leach out during the early stages of composting. This is compost leachate and may contain pathogens. Either add or remove enough compost so that you have about 5 inches of compost in the bottom of the compost tumbler.
-Sprinkle water evenly over the top of the compost until it is very wet. The Urban Compost Tumbler can hold approximately 11 quarts of water and compost before overflowing.
-Add a food source for the microorganisms so they flourish. Great sources of food are molasses, kelp or fish powder.
-Brew the compost tea for a minimum of 3 days and up to about 10 days for the best results.
-Rotate the compost tumbler daily to aerate the mixture which which will promote beneficial microbrial growth and discourage the growth of pathogens. Some of the compost tea may leak out while spinning the compost tumbler, you may want to clean the outside if this happens.
-Let the compost tea sit for the last day then strain it into the Compost Tea Catcher. The remaining compost will be very wet but still high in nutrients and microbes. This is a great starter if you have a lot of dry carbon rich compostable material such as newspapers, wood chips or dry leaves.
Save Valuable Compost Tea Easily with the UCT-9 Tea Catcher!