Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer that is made by steeping compost in water. It is a great way to give your garden a boost of nutrients and improve the health of your plants. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of compost tea in your garden and why it is my preferred method of fertilizing young plants. It’s completely customizable and is simple to add to any garden.

Improves Soil Health

Compost tea is rich in microorganisms that assist in creating a well-balanced soil. The microorganisms in the tea break down organic matter and release nutrients that are essential for plant growth. One of the main microorganisms that we aim to feed and grow in our grow media is mycorrhizae. This microorganism or fungi has a symbiotic relationship with the plant’s roots. It helps with increasing the plants root surface area and the overall health of the plant by assisting in nutrient uptake by the plant. Beneficial microorganisms also help to improve soil structure and increase the soil’s ability to hold water.

Boosts Plant Growth

Compost tea is a natural fertilizer that is packed with essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients help to promote healthy plant growth and increase the yield of your crops. The tea also contains trace elements that are essential for plant growth, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. We use a variety of combinations of natural and organic fertilizers in our compost teas. We base it on the size of seedlings and the time of year.

Boosts Plant Growth

Compost tea is a natural fertilizer that is packed with essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients help to promote healthy plant growth and increase the yield of your crops. The tea also contains trace elements that are essential for plant growth, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. We use a variety of combinations of natural and organic fertilizers in our compost teas. We base our mixture on the size of the seedlings and the time of year. One of my favorites is to incorporate alfalfa meal pellets. I like the alfalfa pellets over the meal because they break down nicely and are easier for me to measure out. Plus, when alfalfa meal is used you get the benefits of triacontanol, which is a natural growth stimulant. You can find out more on alfalfa pellets here.

Increases Disease Resistance

The microorganisms in compost tea help to increase the disease resistance of your plants. They do this by colonizing the roots and leaves of your plants, which helps to prevent harmful bacteria and fungi from taking hold. This can help to reduce the need for chemical pesticides and fungicides.

Improves Soil pH

Compost tea can help to balance the pH of your soil. If your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, it can affect plant growth and nutrient uptake. Compost tea helps to neutralize the soil pH and create a more balanced growing environment for your plants.

Reduces Environmental Impact

Using compost tea in your garden is an environmentally friendly way to fertilize your plants. It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, which can be harmful to the environment. It also helps to reduce waste by using compost that would otherwise be discarded. I even take this a bit further and empty out my tea bag (which has a couple pounds of natural fertilizer from the tea) around my blackberry bushes and strawberries. Zero waste!

In conclusion, compost tea is a valuable addition to any garden. It improves soil health, boosts plant growth, increases disease resistance, improves soil pH, and reduces environmental impact. It’s easy to make and can be used on all types of plants, from vegetables to flowers. So why not give it a try and see the benefits for yourself? Your garden and the environment will thank you!