Wednesday, February 27, 2008

What is Compost Tea?


Compost Tea is a highly concentrated microbial solution produced by extracting beneficial microbes from compost. This "brew" is produced by adding nutrients to water that is highly aerated. Compost is placed in a "tea bag or basket" and suspended in solution and the extraction process begins. Using the proper equipment, good quality Compost Tea can be brewed in 24 hours. Once the tea has been properly brewed it can be applied to anything that grows and will act as a natural fertilizer that also provides some disease suppression. The tea is fully enriched with beneficial bacteria and fungi that feed the existing soil organisms that starts the nutrient cycling process.
BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPOST TEA USE
Microbial Functions
-Compete with disease causing microbes
-Degrade toxic pesticides and other chemicals
-Produce plant growth hormones
-Mineralize plant available nutrients
-Fix nitrogen
-Plant surfaces are occupied by beneficial microbes leaving no room for pathogens to infect the plant (squatters rights)
Direct Nutrition
-A source of foliar and soil organic nutrients. -Chelated micronutrients for easy plant absorption -Nutrients in a biologically available form for both plant and microbial uptake

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