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


    5 Secrets to Growing Beautiful Roses

    A rose is a rose is a rose - and... Read More

    Tillandsia Airplants - Dont Plant These Plants!

    Watch out, it's a tillandsia! Have no fear, I said... Read More

    Plant A Simple Tea Garden

    Materials Needed 1 decorative clay or metal planter 1 package... Read More

    Cultivating Plants In Your Garden...What To Watch Out For

    There are so many plants available for you to choose... Read More

    Theme Gardens

    Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual... Read More

    Patio Design ? Expanding Your Home Outdoors

    A patio can be... Read More

    Using Push Reel Mowers

    If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if... Read More

    Patio Swings Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space with Comfort and Style

    Are you looking for a way to spruce up your... Read More

    Tarragon: A Favourite of French Chefs

    Long a favourite of French chefs, the herb Artemisia dracunculus,... Read More

    How To Prevent Damping Off

    Damping off is the single term used to describe underground,... Read More

    Decorative Garden Accents

    Think of your garden like you would a room in... Read More

    Hot-Weather Fish Feeding Facts

    Summertime provides the best time of the year to water... Read More

    What Type of Gazebo is Right for You? Top Questions You Need to Ask

    Having a gazebo in the backyard is an excellent way... Read More

    How To Mow A Lawn

    Although push lawn mowers are wonderful machines that do a... Read More

    Furniture Benches Are Perfect For Every Outdoor Space

    The task of selecting outdoor furniture for your natural spaces... Read More

    Set Out a Feast for Your Feathered Friends

    February is "Feed the Birds" month in much of North... Read More

    How to Win the War Against Slugs and Snails

    Slugs are one of the most hated of garden pests.... Read More

    How to Care for Your Outdoor Water Fountains

    Garden lovers around the world love putting fountains among their... Read More

    Gardeners: Contain Yourselves!

    Whether you live in a tiny city apartment or on... Read More

    Building Liner Ponds

    Surprisingly enough, it is usually in mid-summer that many gardeners... Read More

    International Flower Delivery

    As our global community continues to expand we often find... Read More

    Grow Organic Vegetables

    There are more reasons than ever why anybody with access... Read More

    Landscaping of Hindu Religious Places

    Traditionally Hindu tepmples were located either on hills or forests... Read More

    Water Ponds and Wildlife - How To Attract More Animals to Your Backyard

    Wildlife require water just as humans do. Water is essential... Read More

    Gardening in Containers

    Every Garden can benefit from the addition of container gardens.... Read More

    Low Maintenance Teak Furniture

    In all likelihood you have heard of teak furniture and... Read More

    Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points

    A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More

    Natural Garden Pest Control

    No dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem.... Read More

    Flower Meanings & History of Flowers

    The charming and delicate beauty of flowers has fascinated people... Read More

    Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping

    Naturalized bulbs look beautiful in a wooded setting. You can... Read More

    Light Up the Night! Quick Facts about Outdoor Lighting

    When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may... Read More

    Frame Your Garden With Edging

    You've planted the flowers, put in the shrubs and even... Read More

    How to Grow Blueberries

    Along with lip-smacking sweetness, flower and foliage are also worthy... Read More