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Google
Compost Tea Maker
+8
MrBooker
AtlantaMarie
CapeCoddess
sanderson
No_Such_Reality
yolos
jimmy cee
has55
12 posters
Page 2 of 3
Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Jimmy, can you talk about the differences between tea & leachate?
I don't know the difference and/or when to use one over the other.
Thanks.
I don't know the difference and/or when to use one over the other.
Thanks.
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Never use leachate.
Leachate is the water that runs off, percolates out of the compost/worm bin. The main reason to never use leachate is that harmful bacteria/pathogens haven't cooked or rested out of the compost.
Essentially, using leachate could mean you're pouring water contaminated with e-coli or nasties on your plants for immediate take up.
Compost tea is the leaching of the nutrients from the compost into the water for application and take up.
Even with compost, one should be aware of their harvest schedule. Organic farming rules, if I remember correctly, calls for a 90 lead time from compost application to harvest (need to check that it may be manure application I remember).
Leachate is the water that runs off, percolates out of the compost/worm bin. The main reason to never use leachate is that harmful bacteria/pathogens haven't cooked or rested out of the compost.
Essentially, using leachate could mean you're pouring water contaminated with e-coli or nasties on your plants for immediate take up.
Compost tea is the leaching of the nutrients from the compost into the water for application and take up.
Even with compost, one should be aware of their harvest schedule. Organic farming rules, if I remember correctly, calls for a 90 lead time from compost application to harvest (need to check that it may be manure application I remember).
No_Such_Reality- Posts : 666
Join date : 2011-04-22
Location : Orange County, CA aka Disneyland or Sunset zone 22
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Tea is using a controlling factor pulling microbes out of their places in compost. Once their out they multiply depending on the aeration bubbles.Aeration cannot be to violent, otherwise microbes are destroyed..AtlantaMarie wrote:Jimmy, can you talk about the differences between tea & leachate?
I don't know the difference and/or when to use one over the other.
Thanks.
Compost tea is made with an aerobic procedure.
Leachate is as N-S-R states a liquid that is soaked/percolated, etc out of a material that is anaerobic, meaning lack of oxygen,
Anaerobic for gardening is dangerous according to what I read in the microbe book. It can harbor very harmful bacteria, E-coli, salmonella, and others..
A few months ago, I knew nothing about this, all came about because it seems now that I have time to read rather than trying to make a living, I'm making good use of it, at least in my spare retirement time.
Anyone, interested in gardening or growing anything should read the Teaming with Microbe book.., it is so very interesting knowing what is going on down below plants. I mark up a book badly while reading it...
Last edited by jimmy cee on 3/22/2016, 7:38 am; edited 1 time in total
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
jimmy cee wrote:Tea is using a controlling factor pulling microbes out of their places in compost. Once their out they multiply depending on the aeration bubbles, along with nutrients they like, molasses, etc. .Aeration cannot be to violent, otherwise microbes are destroyed..AtlantaMarie wrote:Jimmy, can you talk about the differences between tea & leachate?
I don't know the difference and/or when to use one over the other.
Thanks.
Compost tea is made with an aerobic procedure.
Leachate is as N-S-R states a liquid that is soaked/percolated, etc out of a material that is anaerobic, meaning lack of oxygen,
Anaerobic for gardening is dangerous according to what I read in the microbe book. It can harbor very harmful bacteria, E-coli, salmonella, and others.
A few months ago, I knew nothing about this, all came about because it seems now that I have time to read rather than trying to make a living, I'm making good use of it, at least in my spare retirement time.
Anyone, interested in gardening or growing anything should read the Teaming with Microbe book.., it is so very interesting knowing what is going on down below plants.
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
I've gotta find this book....
Thanks Jimmy & N-S-R! Good explanations... And it makes sense!
Thanks Jimmy & N-S-R! Good explanations... And it makes sense!
Re: Compost Tea Maker
SOMEWHERE, someone else already posted information about making a tea brewer, "Dewey's Tea maker"? Anyway, I got the information from this forum somewhere. This is a different set up than Jimmy's, but the concept is basically the same. I built it this weekend, haven't "brewed" anything yet, just did a "dry" run to make sure it was functioning and air bubbles are distributed in the bucket. Planting time is coming up and I plan on brewing my own liquid "starter". Brew some compost and maybe add some fish emulsion and use that to water the transplants.
Anyway, was tickled with it, so I thought I'd share.
Here's everything hooked together. 2 bigger airstones in the bottom and 2 smaller ones inside the bag that will hold the compost.
Turned on pump to wath it bubble. Weeeeeeee
Once you have it loaded, just put the up on and set the pump on top, looks "tidy" to me.
Anyway, was tickled with it, so I thought I'd share.
Here's everything hooked together. 2 bigger airstones in the bottom and 2 smaller ones inside the bag that will hold the compost.
Turned on pump to wath it bubble. Weeeeeeee
Once you have it loaded, just put the up on and set the pump on top, looks "tidy" to me.
Zmoore- Posts : 225
Join date : 2015-04-14
Location : Virginia Zone 7a
Re: Compost Tea Maker
I'll take jab ob $25.00 should get you started, one or two air pumps, or one with 2 outlets, a bit of tubing and stones, , five gallon bucket...assuming you have your own compost or worm waste molasses, should get you started.sanderson wrote:May I ask the total cost?
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Zmoore ... is this the one you were referring to (i.e., Deuley’s Own Little Texas Tea Brewer)?
http://dchall.home.texas.net/organic/teamaker/PDFs/brewer.pdf
http://dchall.home.texas.net/organic/teamaker/PDFs/brewer.pdf
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Compost Tea Maker
I am getting ready to make a batch of fungal dominated tea. This involves compost, with powdered baby oatmeal, orange peels, to feed to fungi and help them reproduce a bit. My understanding is fungi only grows, it does not reproduce..It is extremely fragile and will perish even if moderate aeration. Fungi forms a symbiotic relationship with plants roots in the rhizosphere. It aids plants by allowing more moisture in root area than if no fungi was there, also feeds certain nutrients to the plants, in return, the fungi is rewarded by receiving carbon from the plant that it needs and cannot get elsewhere.
A picture in the microbe book shows with and without fungi, with was close to twice the size .
A picture in the microbe book shows with and without fungi, with was close to twice the size .
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
That's It! Thanks.trolleydriver wrote:Zmoore ... is this the one you were referring to (i.e., Deuley’s Own Little Texas Tea Brewer)?
http://dchall.home.texas.net/organic/teamaker/PDFs/brewer.pdf
Total cost was in the ball park of $37. I bought the pump with 2 outlets, which came with tubing and 2 small air stones, but I went ahead and got a full set of 1" and 6" air stones and the tee connectors. I think it was about $31 total from PetCo and most of that was the pump, the other stuff is fairly cheap. Then spent another $6 in Home Depot for a bucket, lid, and paint strainer mesh bags.
The pump is key on cost, I'm sure you could shop around a save a few bucks there and the bucket with lid can be gotten cheaper as well. Did you know they sell the lids separate? The bucket was $2.97 and the lid $1.68 plus tax. I remember that because I was like "you gotta be.... "
Zmoore- Posts : 225
Join date : 2015-04-14
Location : Virginia Zone 7a
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Brewing!
Started a batch. Thought I'd try some as a soil prep treatment for upcoming planting.
Started a batch. Thought I'd try some as a soil prep treatment for upcoming planting.
Zmoore- Posts : 225
Join date : 2015-04-14
Location : Virginia Zone 7a
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Zmoore
Looks like some nice bubbles there...good luck with it..I did 3 batches already. each time I did the temperatures dropped to the low 20s..don't know if it did any good on my nix, I also drenched a spot of grass in front of the house... I am hoping to use lots on my grass...
Looks like some nice bubbles there...good luck with it..I did 3 batches already. each time I did the temperatures dropped to the low 20s..don't know if it did any good on my nix, I also drenched a spot of grass in front of the house... I am hoping to use lots on my grass...
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Well, started my second batch. Added fish emulsion to this one, plan to use it as a transplant soak for sitting plants this weekend. Bought my peppers and tomatoes yesterday, stick
em in this weekend
em in this weekend
Zmoore- Posts : 225
Join date : 2015-04-14
Location : Virginia Zone 7a
Re: Compost Tea Maker
I used this type of compost tea maker from bountea compost tea co. I was able to get this when aquajet ask 4 of us to go in for demo testing. I did not pay this price. Which is too high to me. I like the system because the netting goes all the way to the bottom and I don't have to tie it up, just put the compost in. The air aerator slips over the bucket edge and goes to the bottom of the bucket, so I don't need any stone or weights like I use to do with the aquarium air stone I bought from walmart.
I'm putting this here, because someone might be able to duplicate the design. I noticed it all PVC parts. I was going to create another one for another 5 gallon bucket, but I got stuck trying to figure out where to buy that screw on aeration tube. The PVC part is easy to create. the tube is simple to clean and remove.
Bountea Compost Tea Brewer 5gal
I like their instruction manual. It has great info on compost tea, bacteria and fungal.
BOUNTEA CATALOG_2015
I'm putting this here, because someone might be able to duplicate the design. I noticed it all PVC parts. I was going to create another one for another 5 gallon bucket, but I got stuck trying to figure out where to buy that screw on aeration tube. The PVC part is easy to create. the tube is simple to clean and remove.
Bountea Compost Tea Brewer 5gal
I like their instruction manual. It has great info on compost tea, bacteria and fungal.
BOUNTEA CATALOG_2015
has55- Posts : 2379
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: Compost Tea Maker
has55
Yes you're right about their instruction manual. They have done a very nice job along with descriptions and images.
I didn't notice prices anywhere, I am sure it may be pricey, however, for some it could work out nicely.
I tend to look at these items, then figure out a way to do it myself., then there are those who do not and cannot.
I paid $30.00 for a aerator gadget that is working $15.00 for shipping, now that I look back, I wouldn't have done that.
I love walking around our local Lowes store, up and down aisles, look at everything and just imagine how I could use it, put it together with something else, etc.
Items always stick in the back of my mind for future use.
As far as that compost liner / filter, I think I am preferring the woman's stocking. It keep everything out of the fluid and so easy to remove, a lot less expensive I imagine.
All in all though, I would say it looks like a quality product and very interesting .
Yes you're right about their instruction manual. They have done a very nice job along with descriptions and images.
I didn't notice prices anywhere, I am sure it may be pricey, however, for some it could work out nicely.
I tend to look at these items, then figure out a way to do it myself., then there are those who do not and cannot.
I paid $30.00 for a aerator gadget that is working $15.00 for shipping, now that I look back, I wouldn't have done that.
I love walking around our local Lowes store, up and down aisles, look at everything and just imagine how I could use it, put it together with something else, etc.
Items always stick in the back of my mind for future use.
As far as that compost liner / filter, I think I am preferring the woman's stocking. It keep everything out of the fluid and so easy to remove, a lot less expensive I imagine.
All in all though, I would say it looks like a quality product and very interesting .
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Hey all, this thread got my attention. I have been a "composter" (spelling has never been my strong suit, the eighth grade was the six hardest years of my life) for over 40 years. I don't know as much as I think I should, but I have the basics down extremely well. I have always held the belief that the key to the garden is soil and watering, with some other things coming very closely behind.
I was raised (not far from Sanderson) where the soil was very rich and fertile. When I was a little shaver, my Grandpa had a pile of just vegetation, (NO MEAT SCRAPS!) where he put anything that would rot. A few times a year he would borrow a tractor or his neighbor usually turned the pile. It was done without asking, he had a tractor and everybody had a pile that "needed turnin'." When the pile was mostly black Grandpa would add it to the garden, just mixed it in when he roto-tilled.
I have heard about compost tea, and I have used a variation of this for making compost, but will definitely read more about it. When I make a new pile of mixed greens and browns, I will take a bucket and fill it half way with the real black compost, the stuff under the pile that was previously there. I add warm water in the morning of a sunny day and let it soak. I try to keep the water warm to help grow the organisms that will be added to the new pile. I let this stew for a week or so, letting the pile cool a little, then I just pour it on top and let them go to work. Not that I have any scientific data to back me up, but it seems like the piles that I added this "Tea" to seemed to "bake down" for a much longer time than the ones that didn't have it. Both would rapidly go down for a few weeks or so, but then the one that had the tea kept going at a faster rate then the one that didn't have it. Like I said, not scientific, but it is a reasonable observation on my part.
So when I saw this thread it peaked my interest. I started by Googling compost tea and found this site,
http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/composttea.html
It gave me a little more information about it, and then it caught me, hook line and sinker. Being one to be as frugal (otherwise known as CHEAP ) as possible, it shows a way to make compost tea without much work or equipment. I am sure there are other frugal folks on this site that will probably benefit from this method, and I would like to share it. I hope it helps those that don't use compost tea to start and hopefully benefit from it.
Rock
I was raised (not far from Sanderson) where the soil was very rich and fertile. When I was a little shaver, my Grandpa had a pile of just vegetation, (NO MEAT SCRAPS!) where he put anything that would rot. A few times a year he would borrow a tractor or his neighbor usually turned the pile. It was done without asking, he had a tractor and everybody had a pile that "needed turnin'." When the pile was mostly black Grandpa would add it to the garden, just mixed it in when he roto-tilled.
I have heard about compost tea, and I have used a variation of this for making compost, but will definitely read more about it. When I make a new pile of mixed greens and browns, I will take a bucket and fill it half way with the real black compost, the stuff under the pile that was previously there. I add warm water in the morning of a sunny day and let it soak. I try to keep the water warm to help grow the organisms that will be added to the new pile. I let this stew for a week or so, letting the pile cool a little, then I just pour it on top and let them go to work. Not that I have any scientific data to back me up, but it seems like the piles that I added this "Tea" to seemed to "bake down" for a much longer time than the ones that didn't have it. Both would rapidly go down for a few weeks or so, but then the one that had the tea kept going at a faster rate then the one that didn't have it. Like I said, not scientific, but it is a reasonable observation on my part.
So when I saw this thread it peaked my interest. I started by Googling compost tea and found this site,
http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/composttea.html
It gave me a little more information about it, and then it caught me, hook line and sinker. Being one to be as frugal (otherwise known as CHEAP ) as possible, it shows a way to make compost tea without much work or equipment. I am sure there are other frugal folks on this site that will probably benefit from this method, and I would like to share it. I hope it helps those that don't use compost tea to start and hopefully benefit from it.
Rock
bigdogrock- Posts : 440
Join date : 2016-04-17
Location : NH
Re: Compost Tea Maker
bigdogrock wrote:Hey all, this thread got my attention. I have been a "composter" (spelling has never been my strong suit, the eighth grade was the six hardest years of my life) for over 40 years. I don't know as much as I think I should, but I have the basics down extremely well. I have always held the belief that the key to the garden is soil and watering, with some other things coming very closely behind.
I was raised (not far from Sanderson) where the soil was very rich and fertile. When I was a little shaver, my Grandpa had a pile of just vegetation, (NO MEAT SCRAPS!) where he put anything that would rot. A few times a year he would borrow a tractor or his neighbor usually turned the pile. It was done without asking, he had a tractor and everybody had a pile that "needed turnin'." When the pile was mostly black Grandpa would add it to the garden, just mixed it in when he roto-tilled.
I have heard about compost tea, and I have used a variation of this for making compost, but will definitely read more about it. When I make a new pile of mixed greens and browns, I will take a bucket and fill it half way with the real black compost, the stuff under the pile that was previously there. I add warm water in the morning of a sunny day and let it soak. I try to keep the water warm to help grow the organisms that will be added to the new pile. I let this stew for a week or so, letting the pile cool a little, then I just pour it on top and let them go to work. Not that I have any scientific data to back me up, but it seems like the piles that I added this "Tea" to seemed to "bake down" for a much longer time than the ones that didn't have it. Both would rapidly go down for a few weeks or so, but then the one that had the tea kept going at a faster rate then the one that didn't have it. Like I said, not scientific, but it is a reasonable observation on my part.
So when I saw this thread it peaked my interest. I started by Googling compost tea and found this site,
http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/composttea.html
It gave me a little more information about it, and then it caught me, hook line and sinker. Being one to be as frugal (otherwise known as CHEAP ) as possible, it shows a way to make compost tea without much work or equipment. I am sure there are other frugal folks on this site that will probably benefit from this method, and I would like to share it. I hope it helps those that don't use compost tea to start and hopefully benefit from it.
Rock
Hi Rock
Nice article, interesting also.
I knew nothing about compost till a few years ago when starting this SFG. Nothing about compost tea until I came upon the section in this book...According to info provided in it, They claim little or no positive results to compost leachatte. Aeration must be used to build up beneficial microbes, I haven't read any other read about it yet, however I am sure there is more on this topic as interesting as it is.
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Jimmy Cee, the net is a paint strainer for 5 gallon buckets. Her's one. cost 2.19. I'm sure it cheaper. painter's strainer
when I'm finish with the tea, I just lift out the one piece aerator, then the netting with all the compost material and placed it on one of the SFG beds. Then I rinse out the netting. No need to tie it up or place a air stone in the bag, since everything is in the bag anyway. The aerator extend the entire length of the bucket and paint strainer.
Can you or anyone on the forum figure out how to build that aerator? has anyone seen that type of screw on aerator?
when I'm finish with the tea, I just lift out the one piece aerator, then the netting with all the compost material and placed it on one of the SFG beds. Then I rinse out the netting. No need to tie it up or place a air stone in the bag, since everything is in the bag anyway. The aerator extend the entire length of the bucket and paint strainer.
Can you or anyone on the forum figure out how to build that aerator? has anyone seen that type of screw on aerator?
has55- Posts : 2379
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: Compost Tea Maker
it called a non-clogging plastic air diffuser, but I could not find a image.
has55- Posts : 2379
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
Re: Compost Tea Maker
It really looks simple enough to do. A typical 2 outlet air pump attached to one line, then adapted to larger piping.has55 wrote:Jimmy Cee, the net is a paint strainer for 5 gallon buckets. Her's one. cost 2.19. I'm sure it cheaper. painter's strainer
when I'm finish with the tea, I just lift out the one piece aerator, then the netting with all the compost material and placed it on one of the SFG beds. Then I rinse out the netting. No need to tie it up or place a air stone in the bag, since everything is in the bag anyway. The aerator extend the entire length of the bucket and paint strainer.
Can you or anyone on the forum figure out how to build that aerator? has anyone seen that type of screw on aerator?
A trip through plumbing sections at HD or Lowes should give one ideas.
Personally I think it's a waste, not needed, unless somehow that larger air filter emits correct size aeration bubbles.
States in the microbe book larger bubbles are not what's needed to tease microbes out of the compost. Small bubbles and lots of them are preferred, however, cannot be to small or they will cut up microbes..
This could be another one of those simple is better.. I think I am going to stay with the simple aerator and stone, maybe 2 stones with a second aerator.
I do like that bucket filter though, another trip through Joann Fabrics...may turn up something.
Everytime I try to make a batch of tea the weather get frigid...hopefully next week.
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Compost Tea Maker
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. On the weather side,"Everytime I try to make a batch of tea the weather get frigid...hopefully next week."
your bouncing between warm and cold. We're bouncing between warm and getting to hot 90's
your bouncing between warm and cold. We're bouncing between warm and getting to hot 90's
has55- Posts : 2379
Join date : 2012-05-10
Location : Denton, tx
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