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Santa Rosa, CA.

I made my first ever batch of Aerobic Tea. I used 2 cups worm castings(my own), 2 cups finished compost(my own), 1 cup alfalfa pellets, and 1 cup of molasses in 15 gal. of water. The picture was taken 36 hours later. Is this what the tea should look like when it's ready to dilute and use? The foam on top of the tae is about 1" thick.

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=60575

3/14/2007 11:45:01 PM

porterville, calif.

I took a look at your tea. Looked fine to me. But Im no expert on it yet. But think i will try your reciepe. It makes sence to me.

3/15/2007 12:20:26 AM

Santa Rosa, CA.

Thanks Greg, I think it would have been ready sooner if the water was warmer. I think I'll get a second barrel to dilute and pump it from...... See you in Elk Grove?

3/15/2007 9:11:03 PM

Rhode Island

why guess? can you have it tested ?

3/16/2007 5:49:46 AM

Santa Rosa, CA.

Testing is something I will look into. I was just curious what the foam on top of the tea was suspost to look like. It almost looks the same as homemade beer when it starts to ferment.

3/16/2007 8:15:00 AM

Montoursville, PA

Looks good. I go for only biology therefore only bacteria, fungi, critters amoeba through nematodes. Other additives are fine as long as they do not cause the biology enlargement to fail or be crippled.

I use the basic stuff suggested by the much tested and published reports from North Country Organics web site. Mimic them and you will be close and save hundreds in testing....while maintaining quality aerobic tea.

This year I will decrease compost 25% and add in worm casts. I will start a batch just as soon as the snow melts. It will go on the patch as soon as the patch will absorb it.

3/18/2007 3:33:51 PM

Seattle, WA

Patchmaster,

The only way to tell if your tea is good or not is to look at it under a microscope. I've looked at a variety of teas and you'd be surprised by which teas looked the best microscopically.

Foam is not necessairly an indicator of a good tea.

1/15/2008 8:36:14 PM