How is Compost Tea Made?
On the simplest level, making compost tea requires a container, a source of aeration, water, and compost (food for the microbes). Home gardener compost tea brewing systems, which usually make 5 gallons at a time, can be purchased for about $65 to $150. The compost/microbe food mixture generally costs about $6 for a 5-gallon batch. When purchasing a compost tea set-up, make sure to look for a brewer and compost/microbe food mixture that have been approved by a laboratory that tests for contaminants, chemical residues, and microorganisms. To make compost tea, tap water is aerated for several hours to remove the chlorine, then the compost mixture is added and the mixture aerates for approximately 12 to 24 hours, depending on the manufacturer. When finished, the tea must be used within four to six hours. How is Compost Tea Applied? Compost tea can be sprayed on leaves, branches, and trunks of plants; poured into the soil; or used as a root dip for bare-root plants, transplants, and cutting
