When it comes to homemade natural organic fertilizers there is one that is highly recommended by many gardeners. This is why if you do not already know how to, you must learn how to make compost tea. Why is compost tea, a favorite for many? Well not only is it free to make, but it also provides nutrients for your plants via both the roots and the leaves.

You do not have to worry about chemical or salt build up, that is common with many synthetic fertilizers. The compost can be made up of many different materials from decomposed vegetable scraps, chicken manure, grass clippings, coffee grounds and more.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Compost
• Water (Well water preferred)
• 5 Gallon Bucket
• Shovel
• Wooden stick
• Burlap, mesh screen or a strainer
• Air tight container
• Molasses or sugar (optional)

If you are using city water, you need to let it sit in the sun for a few days before using it to make your compost tea. This is done so that you the chlorine in the water can evaporate and won’t be able to attack any bacteria in your compost. Using compost from the bottom of your pile, fill up the bucket to about a third up. Fill the rest of the bucket with water up to an inch below the top.

Stir using a stick, and repeat this a few times daily for about a week. Strain the mixture after a week, and store it in your air tight container to maintain high levels of nutrients. After the initial first week of transplanting your seedlings, you can apply this mixture early in the day bi-weekly to your plants. Use a watering can or a garden sprayer, and make sure you soak the root area as well as the leaves. Four to six applications will be sufficient, after which you should stop applying the mixture to your plants.

You can get more information on the Old World Garden Farms blog, here…

Homemade Compost Tea Recipe

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