What is this compost tea stuff?

Hello SIrs, I can't find it in the book. I'm confused because I want to do it right. Should I use it or not to do it right by the book? I've been saving my money to do it right. Is that a mistake?

Compost tea is not in Mel's book, Genes. It is a completely separate gardening technique. If you read the book, Mel doesn't mention compost tea because if you set up your SFG by the book, you have all the nutrients you need.......and, therefore, don't need to do anything extra. Compost tea is an extra process.

The reasons I see for undertaking an extra process are because you are worried about deficiencies in your garden. For me, I may or may not have added enough compost this year. I mixed it right when I built my beds, but I didn't fill things all the way to the top due to a mismeasurement of the total ingredients...if that makes sense. I would only use compost tea if I felt I was short on compost, had too much peat moss, or maybe wanted to try the method and see if it even helps. The first two may be important reasons. The last one would be because I'm bored.

So, in summary, it's an optional practice that may help if you are deficient. But, if you set things up correctly, it's pretty much unnecessary. Do with that what you will.

Happy SFG'ing!

Thank you sirs. I get confused about what is right by th e book and what is not SFG. Yousee, I'm saving money to do right by the book. But if I can take short cut why not? What is best wayfor me?

genes wrote:Thank you sirs. I get confused about what is right by th e book and what is not SFG. Yousee, I'm saving money to do right by the book. But if I can take short cut why not? What is best wayfor me?

Compost tea won't really be a "short cut," but it would be something fun to try with leftover compost from your MM or from your pile should you decide to start one.

Genes, I was taught that good things were worth saving/waiting for. With all my limited gardening experience, I encourage you to follow Mel's suggestions.

One reason I would use Compost tea and or other amendments is I know I am going to plant some plants that are very heavy feeders in my garden and I want optimal fruit and vegetables to harvest. If you want them to grow they have to be fed well.

OK if there are ver heavy feeders then there are very light feeders? So I can leave out composts? I am sorry this is getting confusing. I understood what it was by the book.

Genes,

Easiest and least confusing way to deal with this is to simply skip the compost tea unless you experience nutrient problems. That way you won't have to concern yourself with trying to figure out what wants compost tea and what doesn't.

Sometimes, when you are first trying something, it is better to do as directed first then you can start experimenting after you have the method down. Compost tea is not needed if you follow Mel's method, so just stick to the book and you should be just fine.

By all means Genes follow the book. As DG said, If you follow Mel's recommendations for the Mel's Mix with 5 types of compost as instructed in "The Book" you should be well on your way to a successful garden. As you gain experience and knowledge you may find yourself tinkering with things such as the compost tea.

Go ahead and 'do it by the book', you wont be sorry!

My moneys is tight. I dont' want to waste it. I have been saving to do it right I think. I get worried that it might not work. Our vegetables are getting more expensive at he store. I am getting confused on these forum.

genes wrote:My moneys is tight. I dont' want to waste it. I have been saving to do it right I think. I get worried that it might not work. Our vegetables are getting more expensive at he store. I am getting confused on these forum.

There are a lot of experienced gardeners on these forums. With experience comes knowledge and the willingness to experiment. This is why you see so many different ideas and techniques on the forums.

Don't let it confuse you. The only things you need to do SFG right are the boxes, the grids, maybe a trellis, the Mel's mix, the plants, good watering practices, and time. That is it, and that is what is in the book.

Do as Mel says and you are golden. Next year you can experiment IF YOU WANT TO.

Dizzygardener thankyou, I just want to grow vegetables. I was taught to try it to learn. I'm sorry I was getting so confused to try it know. I will have every thing in place for a fall vegetable garden. Thank you sirs.

genes wrote:Dizzygardener thankyou, I just want to grow vegetables. I was taught to try it to learn. I'm sorry I was getting so confused to try it know. I will have every thing in place for a fall vegetable garden. Thank you sirs.

No worries. Sorry if I confused you. By the book is the best way to stretch your dollars for sure.

Hey Genes, hang in there...

It's kinda funny...one of the most ignorant gardeners on the forum (me) is telling you to hang in there and do it by the book.

It works for me. I believe it will work for you if you give it a chance. Obviously, other folks have been growing veggies with a little of this and a little of that, since forever. But can they tell you exactly what will work for many years? (Mel does) Can they tell you exactly what will work for five years? (I can)

Doing it by the book is all I know. It's all I need to know. It's all I want to know.

If you want more, that's fine. There's a bazillion other forums that are interested in talking about how to garden this way and that way, with a little of this and a little of that, maybe, or maybe not. They're not wrong. They're not right. They just talk. They don't offer a method that is consistent, sustainable, green, and pocketbook friendly in the long run.

I have no issues if that's enough for you. SFG is not the best solution for every person, for every purpose or every objective. Just don't pretend that anything less than what is described in the book is SFG. I certainly give you credit for hanging in there. You're in the minority.

thank you boofer I will hang in. I can almost pay for everything to make my first box. I am getting excited. Bye.

That's so true boffer, I'm one of those doing a little of this and a little of that but I am getting good results. I couldn't tell you what is getting me good results because I am all over the place trying to make the perfect soil and get that perfect garden. I don't have straight MM and I use tea to water feed twice a week but that's just me and I wouldn't recommend what I do because I tinker with the soil and amendments but still remain organic with all my practices. Good Luck

I would like to make a correction, I water tea feed twice a month not twice a week. Sorry

I visited a store in Wilmington today that specializes in organic stuff. Got some BT for summer use and the guy gave me a free gallon of compost tea. He keeps some brewing in the store at all times. Came back to my son's house and poured some in a flower bed I made last Aug (pre sfg). It only has black kow and peat in it.

Kay