Compost Tea & Compost Brew

 It’s time to brew some TEA!!! 

 There is a difference between brew and tea. To brew just means to add air. You can add air by hand stirring the water, a water pump flowing water from the top to create bubbles or like an air pump creating bubbles from the bottom.  
A tea can be created from brewing, but steeping… which is basically placing your tea bag into the water without air. Water without air begins to attract flies as the smell grows from the lack of oxygen.  Let’s dive into it and explain the good and bad of each. 

 You’re creating tea to add bacteria for the microorganisms to feed on in the water. Creating these bacteria will flourish in an Aerobic environment. Aerobic just means WITH air. With no air flow or water movement, it could create pathogens in the water. Pathogen thrive in an airless environment and grow like a mold eating the bacteria you’ve created for the plant's. Pouring pathogen tea in your plants will have negative side effects. 
You’ll know when the water is Anaerobic because of the smell. Anaerobic just means little to on air in the water. Anaerobic water should be allowed to sit for 1 year to decompose the materials and kill off any pathogen that may be in the water. Remember to add air to the anaerobic water before giving it to plants. 

 Getting the most out of your soil will come with the right combination of nutrients. You can buy a ready-made tea bag, add individual items or purchase other products that have a variety of nutrients in one.  
Having a feeding schedule will help you maintain the variety of nutrients that the plant needs. Make sure you add the right amount into the water. 
Use organic materials if you can; this way you won’t have to worry about plant burn. If you stay within a reasonable range. Start off with a half dose and experiment with YOUR perfect mixture. 

 After you’ve made sure there is no chlorine in the water began brewing you can began preparing your tea. You can be flexible with the amount of time you steep or brew. The optimal brew time is 24 hours. If you do not add air, the water will quickly turn anaerobic after about 24 hours. 
If you’re adding an air pump place it on the outside of your container and add a couple hole above your water line with an air stone. Before you start the air pump, add the nutrients into the tea bag, secure it from the top then replace the cover to avoid the light getting in. Add the air stones in the bottom and turn on the pump to start your brewing process. Suds in the water are the bacteria you've created and great plant food!