Compost tea

Joe Maiden mentioned it briefly today on radio Leeds bud.

Ere yer go bud from 1:36:20 to 1:38:42 .... BBC Radio Leeds - Tim Crowther with Joe Maiden, 12/01/2014


HTH

I have read a lot about this both good and bad. To those devotees of it its the greatest thng since rock dust and lunar planting. On the other side they say it breeds legionella, and E-coli bugs and does little good to the plants. So there you go.

Nine gardening myths debunked | Life and style | The Observer

Hi AP
Been using it for a few years on the lottie with good effect and make it with a stirring stick, watering can and a plastic dustbin. Can’t say I’ve noticed a reduction in pests or disease and the veg doesn't suddenly grow huge but it does all just look kind of better for it.
Once applied It seems rainy weather invigorates the bacteria rather than it washing out of the soil as can sometimes happen with other fertilisers.

Recipe used
Two heaped tablespoons of black treacle
Half a shovel of fresh home-made compost (containing live microbes)
Dustbin of rainwater

Basically, mix it all together and whisk air into it the best you can for 24 hours. I start it in the evening and leave it to stand overnight before the aerobic bacteria really get going (in the right conditions they double every 20 minutes), then aerate it next morning and periodically throughout the day. Without the benefits of electricity, filling a watering can and pouring it back into the bin from a height is as good a way as any to bubble it through.
As the brew develops the bubbles last longer and take on a glossier, more viscous appearance, then it can be diluted and must be applied sharpish, while the bacteria are still alive.

For the few pence it costs it’s worth having a go. I also make sheep poo tea (using half a sandwich bag of fresh poo instead of the compost). It needs a couple of days to brew and brassicas in particular love it. I suspect bacteria from the sheep’s gut are similar to those found in “effective micro-organism” brews.

had a look at that Bill and I've also read a fair bit since my OP. I think the danger arises if what is produced is done so anaerobically as opposed to aerobically but I stress I'm still researching this even as I type.

What is compost tea (and how do you make it)? | Permaculture Magazine

Thank you Mr B. I know that as a child, I was chased into a neighbouring field to collect sheep poo in a bucket which my Dad then put in a hessian bag and suspended this in a barrel of water. Although I dig fym into my plot, preparing a poo brew still somehow offends my sensibilities but these things were done because they worked and were free

Yes Iused to water sweet peas with daggings (dirty off cuts from sheeps bottoms)soup. I can understand that working better than compost tea.

Thanks for the link, Bill. Not a great article, but what a great word: "Thigmomorphogenesis". Must slip that into the conversation tomorrow...