What is compost tea?

The easiest explanation of compost tea is a water extract of compost that is actually brewed, containing soluble nutrients and a diversity of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. It is not the same as manure tea, leachates or extracts.

By spraying the vegetation, whether it be the garden, trees, or the lawn you are supporting the entire environment to work towards balance. If there is a lack of beneficial insects to do their job, then the entire system will be thrown. You won't have enough of the good things to support the proper drainage, which then can create stress, which then can draw the bugs (aphids, Japanese beetles, funguses, black spot….etc). If you try to treat the symptom with a chemical rather than the cause, you are only delaying the true balance that can occur naturally. If there is an abundance of beneficial insects doing their job right, then there won't be any weak spots for the bad guys to feed on, because there just won't be any food for them.

It's funny how something so tiny to the naked eye can cause a whole system to be off. What's really amazing about the compost tea is the effect it has on the water absorption. Because it supports the plants so well, you will need less water. In addition, the fruits will be larger and the food will taste better. What more can you ask for?

I encourage you to learn more and to experiment with it. Elaine Ingham is a professor at Oregon State University that has a lot of information on this topic. She is definitely an expert. To learn more visit her web site at www.soilfoodweb.com.

Lovejoy Harvest
Shakti Chionis, Reiki Master/Teacher
Whole Foods Chef and Culinary Artist
P.O. Box 864
Coupeville, WA 98239
shakti@lovejoyharvest.com
By appointment only....360-678-5657

© Copyright 2006