Compost tea has long been used by farmers in Western countries, but in our country this remedy is still considered new and not very well known. It is used to renew the condition of the soil, as well as to improve the quality characteristics of the crop and increase the yield..
You can make this tea yourself. This requires mature compost and regular water. The infusion can be prepared in two ways: by saturating it with air and not saturating it. Infusion with air saturation is considered more beneficial for the soil and flora. Valuable microorganisms reproduce well in it, which further revitalize and nourish the soil, and therefore improve the life of plants. Compost tea is almost one hundred percent protection of crops from harmful insects and many diseases..
The benefits of compost tea
- Is a top dressing.
- Accelerates the growth and fruiting of crops.
- Restores the quality of the soil and nourishes it.
- Much more effective than EM drugs.
- Consists of a large number of microorganisms (up to one hundred thousand living beings).
- It is used for spraying and watering.
- Protects vegetables from numerous pests and the most common diseases.
- The leafy part of plants is strengthened and the general appearance of crops is updated.
- Strengthens and enhances the immunity of almost all plants and crops.
- Cleans the soil from harmful substances and toxins.
Any soil is a habitat for various microorganisms, but only in compost tea they live in huge quantities and give a lot of benefits. This new generation organic preparation is able to create favorable conditions for the growth and development of the root system of all plants. Various types of worms in a short time cleanse the soil of harmful substances and form humus. Microorganisms multiply in large numbers and at a rapid pace, feed on each other and create an excellent environment for the full development and growth of vegetable and berry crops.
Spraying is carried out directly on the leaves of plants, which makes it possible for thousands of beneficial microorganisms to settle directly on the plants. This organic product becomes a real protection for vegetable crops from pathogenic microbes. Plant nutrition takes place directly through the leaves. The drug promotes active photosynthesis, less moisture evaporation and greater absorption of carbon dioxide. Spraying leaves an invisible film on the plants, consisting of valuable and effective microorganisms, and does not allow any pests.
How to make aerated compost tea
Recipe 1
You will need a glass jar with a volume of three liters, a compressor for the aquarium, as well as not tap water (you can from a well or rainwater) in the amount of two liters, fruit syrup (you can jam, sugar or molasses) and about 70-80 grams of mature compost.
Recipe 2
A capacity of 10 liters (an ordinary large bucket can be used), a high-power compressor, settled or melt water in the amount of 9 liters, 0.5 liters of compost, 100 grams of any sweet syrup or jam (fructose or sugar can be used).
Pour water with syrup into the prepared container, then add mature compost and install a compressor. Compost tea is prepared within 15-24 hours. It all depends on the temperature of the room in which the container with the solution is located. At a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, the infusion will take longer (about a day), and at 30 – it is enough to withstand the drug for 17 hours.
If you follow all the recommendations for making compost tea, it should not have an unpleasant odor. On the contrary, it will smell like bread or damp soil and have a lot of foam. The shelf life of compost tea is minimal – about 3-4 hours. The greatest effect of this drug can be obtained in the first half hour..
Minor changes are allowed in the recipe. Compost can be replaced with topsoil under oak, aspen or maple trees. It contains no less beneficial mushrooms, worms, bacteria and other beneficial creatures than compost.
How to make compost tea without a pump or compressor
If you could not get the compressor or pump, then you can prepare the drug without air saturation. There will be several times less useful microorganisms in such a preparation, but such a remedy also has its useful properties..
You need to take a large ten-liter bucket and fill it thirty percent with mature compost, and then fill it up to the top with any water other than tap water. After thorough stirring, the solution is left for a week. It is very important that the solution is stirred several times during the day (every day). The drug will be ready in a week. Before using it, all that remains is to strain it through a sieve, cloth or nylon stocking..
You can also use another method of making compost tea with a little air saturation. You don’t need a compressor or pump for this. You will need to take a large bucket and install a smaller container in it with holes on the bottom. The solution must be poured into a smaller container and left until the liquid completely seeps into another container. After that, the compost tea is thoroughly mixed and again poured into a smaller container. This procedure can be repeated several times and the liquid will be saturated with air..
Using compost tea with aeration
Such an organic preparation allows you to increase the germination of seeds and accelerate the appearance of the first shoots if they are placed in a bubbling liquid in a small tissue bag. And they will also be completely disinfected..
This natural remedy is used for watering the soil before planting seeds, as well as for watering seedlings that have been picked. The drug promotes better survival of young plants in new conditions.
Unfiltered compost tea can be used to irrigate mulch or soil in spring beds. This universal liquid is able to “warm up” the soil and add at least two more degrees of heat to it. This will allow you to plant some vegetables 10-15 days ahead of schedule..
Spraying with filtered compost tea diluted with water stimulates growth and accelerates fruiting of fruit and vegetable crops. Such a shower – fertilization is best done using a small plastic bottle and a spray bottle, and a little sunflower oil should be added to the solution (for 10 liters of the drug – about 0.5 teaspoon).
Before watering, the finished product is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 5, and for spraying – 1 to 10. These procedures can be repeated at least 3 times during the entire warm season, and a maximum of 2 times a month.
Compost-based tea is an absolutely independent preparation and cannot replace such useful measures as the use of green manure or mulch, the construction of warm beds. The soil cannot be saturated and do with only one organic preparation. The more organic matter, the better the soil structure and the condition of the crops grown.
Cooking and applying ACC in the garden (video)
Cooking and applying ACC in the garden