There are lots of benefits to using compost tea in your garden. If you are wondering where to buy compost tea we have an answer for you here. We will let you know where you can buy compost tea and what your plants stand to benefit from it.
Compost tea is a blend of organic matter that will improve your
What is Compost Tea
Compost tea is a mixture of liquid nutrients and beneficial, oxygen-loving microbes found in finished compost. These beneficial microorganisms include fungi, protozoa, nematodes, bacteria, and arthropods. The beneficial microbes are extracted from compost by the means of a brewing procedure. Accurate compost tea will consist of all the microorganisms present prior to brewing.
Read more about Compost Tea Feeding Schedule
Where to Buy Compost Tea
One place you can buy compost tea is in the stores. They are usually sold in powder form. They can be purchased in manufacturing industries and farms. You can also find them in big box stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, etc.
You can also try some independent nurseries or garden centers. Compost tea can as well be bought online.
Another good option if you are willing to go through the stress is to make compost tea yourself. We have outlined below how you can prepare compost tea.
In any of these outlets listed above, they are usually sold in any of these three forms:
- The powder which is soluble needs to be mixed with water.
- Teabags (needs to be steeped in water).
- Liquid concentrate (needs to be diluted in water).
How to Make Compost Tea, DIY
Preparing compost tea can be a bit messy but it’s quite simple to make. It will even be easier if you already make your own composting or vermicomposting.
First is to get matured compost and put about 5 handfuls of compost in a 5-gallon bucket. Now fill it up with water. Important note before using your water is to allow the water to sit for about 24 hours. In case you use chlorinated water, it will evaporate out. You don’t want to kill all the helpful bacteria and microbes.
You can now use a stick to mix or stir if you don’t want to use a bubbler. As you mix up your compost tea, you unlock all the water-soluble nutrients. Then allow the mixture to sit for about 24 to 48 hours so they can get strong and nutritious for your plants.
You can stir again after a couple of hours like in the morning and evening. This way it can get some nice aeration.
Now your compost tea should be ready in a day or two and you can go ahead and apply them. You can use a watering can, spray bottle, or pump spray for application. You can also deliver it to the base of your plant as a
Applying Compost Tea Correctly
Compost tea should be applied on cool and clear days with temperatures above freezing and below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. So apply them early morning or late evening. Never apply during the day with too much heat so you don’t kill all the beneficial microbes. Plants that will mostly benefit from compost tea applications are flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Compost tea applications during the transplanting period will boost your plant defense mechanism against pathogens and pest disease. It can as well be applied to seedlings or plants that are established at their growing seasons.
Benefits of Using Compost Tea
Your garden will enjoy lots of benefits from compost tea. Therefore, these benefits include:
- Compost tea comprises of higher concentration of helpful microorganisms. They will improve the protection mechanism of your plants against any form of disease, pest as well as erosion.
- It is natural organic plant food. On the contrary to synthetic fertilizers containing chemicals that can harm the plant ecosystem or cause fertilizer burns.
- Compost tea will boost the capacity of your
soil to retain water. - It can be used directly on plant leaves as well as
soil , unlike solid compost that can only be applied to thesoil .
FAQ’s
What makes good compost tea?
Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer made from the decomposition of organic matter in the form of compost. You can collect organic matter from your home, such as food scraps, leaves, coffee grounds, grass clippings, eggshells, and wood. It’s also a good idea to collect materials from outside, such as grass clippings, weeds, and leaves.
Compost tea is a natural, organic way to get rid of unwanted garden pests. It is made by adding a small amount of compost to water and letting it sit for about two weeks. Compost tea is an environmentally friendly way to get rid of garden pests. It does not contain any pesticides and is safe for people and animals to drink.
What kinds of nutrients should it contain?
It contains nutrients that are essential for plant growth, including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and trace elements like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, manganese, and sulfur.
How do I use compost tea?
Compost tea is a simple and easy way to add nutrients back into your garden soil. Compost tea can be used for everything from fertilizing to keeping plants healthy. To make compost tea, mix one part compost with three parts water. This mixture should be stirred or shaken until it is well combined. You can also use a spray bottle to apply the compost tea directly to the soil in your garden.
When you use compost tea in your garden, make sure that it is diluted properly. This will prevent the tea from running off your plants and causing problems. You can dilute compost tea by adding five times as much water as compost to the mixture. For example, if you mix one cup of compost with five cups of water, the mixture will have a 5:1 ratio. If you have a spray bottle, this will be even easier.
You can also use compost tea for indoor plants. Make sure to dilute the compost tea enough so that the solution does not burn your plants. You can use one part compost to three parts water in the case of indoor plants. If you do this, you will need to spray the plants regularly, but it will still be a good alternative to using commercial fertilizers. Compost tea is a great way to improve the health of your garden soil.
It can be applied to your garden or lawn by mixing it with water at a ratio of 1 part tea to 5 parts water.
Additional Note
You can water your plants with compost tea about once a week. Therefore, apply and water your plant with compost tea as often as you want. They will never burn your plants and they will generate adequate nutrients for your plant growth.
You can water your established fruits or vegetables directly with compost tea. No need to be disturbed about introducing toxins to your diet because compost tea is completely organic and safe.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
