From

Location

Message

Date Posted

North Of The Border

Is compost tea most beneficial when applied to the base of the plant, as a soil drench, or as a foliar spray?

6/8/2020 5:02:32 PM

Central NY

Depends on the tea.

6/8/2020 6:35:49 PM

South Dakota

I make aerated worm tea and drench the whole plant, soil, everything.

6/8/2020 9:07:32 PM

North Of The Border

I have been making it with manure, and it is non aerated

6/9/2020 9:05:53 AM

Central NY

How’s it smell when it’s done?...I’ve ruined plants with homemade tea. We use Wallace wow tea now for a few years...a few world records have been broke using it I believe...it’s got the goodies for sure. We brew 5 gallons and add that to 40 gallons of non chlorinated water. Apply Drench or foliar. You should notice a definite “pick me up” after tea usage.. if not, be wary that it’s not doing it’s job. I would def dilute it at first.

6/9/2020 11:30:16 AM

Is soaking manure in water not considered to be liquid nutrients as opposed to compost tea?

6/9/2020 3:25:36 PM

North Of The Border

It smells fine, and only slightly manureish, until it has been sitting for a week or so, but i think it is helping the plants, as i have seen a definite increase in greeness, and plant size since i started using it. I dont actually know if it is compost tea, or liquid nutrients, but i have heard it reffered to as compost tea, so thats what i called it.

6/9/2020 3:48:44 PM

This is a quote taken from a government site explaining difference manure tea, compost tea, leachates etc. Many people refer to them as compost tea but there is a difference. Used it last year and plants loved it as long as it smells good.


"Compost Extract
Compost extract is a watery extract made from compost suspended in a barrel of water for no more than one hour before use, usually soaking in a burlap sack. The primary benefit of the extract will be a supply of soluble nutrients, which can be used as a liquid fertilizer. However, it will lack sufficient holding time for microoganisms to multiply and grow significantly.
Compost teas are distinguished from compost extracts both in method of production and in the way they are used. Compost teas are actively brewed with microbial food and catalyst sources added to the solution, and a sump pump bubbles and aerates the solution supplying plenty of much-needed oxygen. The aim of the brewing process is to extract beneficial microbes from the compost itself, followed by growing these populations of microbes during the 24- to 36-hour brew period. The compost provides the source of microbes, and the microbial food and catalyst amendments promote the growth and multiplication of microbes in the tea. Examples of microbial food sources are: molasses, kelp powder, and fish powder. Examples of microbial catalysts are: humic acid, yucca extract, and rock dust."

6/9/2020 4:33:12 PM

If you are soaking it that long you probably/might get some extra microbes.

6/9/2020 4:35:00 PM

Seattle, WA

My preference is a soil drench to increase microbial diversity and nutrient cycling. I put together this free guide that explains some of the differences between aerated compost tea, manure tea, etc..as well.

https://www.kisorganics.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-compost-tea-guide

6/13/2020 12:36:57 PM

Thanks for the link. Good reading and now I know what I was making. Hard to find that info all in one place so it can be compared.

6/13/2020 1:44:59 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Thanks Tad!
People should know that Tad is a world class authority in Aerated Compost Tea.
His website is tremendously informative.

6/13/2020 11:47:14 PM

North Of The Border

Thabjs for the help.

6/15/2020 10:53:26 AM

North Of The Border

So, would you say its best foliar, or drench applied?

6/18/2020 7:48:40 AM

Grittyville, WA

'Depends on the tea.' I'll second that.

6/18/2020 1:25:43 PM

Seattle, WA

I like to do a soil drench personally over a foliar if we are talking about aerated compost tea. Compost extracts should only be soil drench.

Really depends on your goal. Is it to apply nutrients or apply microbes?

7/18/2020 12:55:54 AM