What is Compost Tea?

Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now, there's something even better and that's compost tea. If you start with a good compost you'll have a versatile elixir for all your garden needs. Compost tea helps prevent foliage diseases and at the same time increase the nutrients to the plant and shutdown the toxins hurting the plants. It will improve the taste/flavor of your vegetables. So why not give this tea a try either by buying it or brewing it yourself. You won't believe the results!

Four ways that good bacteria work:

  • Help compete for the nutrients
  • Dine on the bad varmits
  • Help produce antibiotics to use against the varmits.
  • They shove the bad varmits out.

    Compost tea that is correctly brewed has a wealth of microorganisms that will benefit your plants' growth and health as well as the soil that they live in. Compost tea can be considered yogurt for the soil. The microorganisms living there are both good and bad. What the tea does is make sure the good guys win by introducing helpful bacteria, fungi, protozoa and beneficial nematodes.

    Harmful bacteria lives best in soil that does not have good air circulation. Good bacteria lives best and will thrive in soil that is well ventilated with oxygen. This is where a good compost tea, made the right way, comes in. When you have well oxygenated compost you automatically get rid of 3/4 of the bad varmits. Also by using harmful insecticides or chemical fertilizers we reduce the number of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.

    Plants produce their own energy and food and half of that goes to the roots and some of that goes into the surrounding soil and guess who gets that? Correct, the good guys, and then it turns into a beneficial cycle.

    The following is taken from the internet and shows compost tea is becoming a force in gardening.

    National Organic Standards Board Compost Tea Task Force Report April 6, 2004 Introduction In 2003, the National Organic Standards Board convened a Compost Tea Task Force to review the relevant scientific data and report their recommendations on 'What constitutes a reasonable use of compost tea?' The Task Force was composed of 13 individuals with knowledge and expertise in organic farming practices, organic certification, EPA pathogen regulations, compost, compost tea production and analysis, plant pathology, food safety and environmental microbiology.

    Throughout their discussions, members consistently acknowledged the growing interest among certified organic and conventional growers to use compost teas, and the need to develop effective biologically-based tools to manage plant fertility, pests, and diseases.

    A primary reason for producing compost tea is to transfer microbial biomass, fine particulate organic matter, and soluble chemical components of compost into an aqueous phase that can be applied to plant surfaces and soils in ways not possible or economically feasible with solid compost.

    This article is provided courtesy of http://www.basic-info-4-organic-fertilizers. com You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    High Intensity Discharge Grow Light (Generic)

    HID lamps are categorized in three groups :Mercury Vapor ,... Read More

    Developing the Perfect Landscaping Idea

    Using landscaping ideas can be an effective way to attract... Read More

    Wooden You Like to Know? A Primer to Wood Outdoor Furnishings

    To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for... Read More

    Gardening for Kids

    Children are continually bombarded with advertising for fast food and... Read More

    How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden

    The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no... Read More

    The Basics Of Pruning

    The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose... Read More

    Themes of Shade

    A Shade Garden can be created in any of several... Read More

    Selling Your House? Mow Your Lawn!

    A property that has a well manicured lawn has one... Read More

    Are You Being Taken Advantage of when Ordering Flowers Online?

    Did you know that you can send flowers many different... Read More

    Wind Chimes Go Great With Gardening

    What could be more relaxing than gardening on a nice... Read More

    Compost YES, Epsom Salts NO

    You'll often hear garden writers recommending the use of Epsom... Read More

    Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling

    Worms are not only the gardener's best friend, they are... Read More

    The Amazing Hummingbird

    Without a doubt, hummingbirds are beautiful and interesting creatures.Those living... Read More

    Manage Algae

    There are several different ways to manage algae in your... Read More

    The Truth About Tulips

    Roses may be beautiful but Tulips are magnificent. The huge... Read More

    Kirengeshoma palmata

    Kirengeshoma palmata Sometimes known as yellow waxbells, Kirengeshoma palmata... Read More

    Plan for Winter Plantings

    Part four in a seriesIt's hard to think about winter... Read More

    The Advantages of Silk Flowers

    The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples... Read More

    Why You Should Always Have Garden Furniture

    You've put a lot of work into your garden, from... Read More

    Build a Rain Garden

    There's a new garden in town. It is (mostly) easy... Read More

    Bonsai Trees - Our Own Little Forest

    Bonsai trees have been grown in China and Japan for... Read More

    Want a Garden but Not Enough Room or Soil? Then Hydroponics Gardening could be for You

    Hydroponics gardening is a great idea for anyone who wants... Read More

    Italian Vegetable Seeds

    Some might ask, "Why grow Italian vegetable seeds?" Why bother... Read More

    Dill: Scandinavias Most Important Culinary Herb

    The ancient herb, Anethum graveolens or Fernleaf dill as it... Read More

    5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies

    If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide... Read More

    Tips on How to Plant Roses

    When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is... Read More

    Vegetable Garden Layout

    The size of your yard will determine your final vegetable... Read More

    Growing Palms

    Palms Everybody recognises palm trees, they are the... Read More

    Secrets of Growing Killer Tomatoes

    Tomatoes have always been my favorite garden vegetable to grow... Read More

    The Tools of Rose Gardening

    Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you... Read More

    You Cant Beat Perennials For Glorious Color All Season Long

    When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think... Read More

    5 Things To Consider Before Purchasing a Push Reel Mower

    Push Reel Mowers are making a "comeback" of sorts, though,... Read More

    Growing Vegetables in Containers - The Compact Solution

    Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that... Read More