Something Stinks...

[snohare]

Will the old hands please try not to laugh too much at this query.
I have a friend who has a wheelie bin, into which he puts all of his leftover food and garden waste. At the bottom he has put a tap (you can all tell where this is going, can't you) and he drains off the fluid into large plastic milk bottles, which he then gives to all who cannot run fast enough. (There is a constant supply of this bree.) Apparently, it is a wonderful plant food.
Well, I thought I'd give it a try. I had no comfrey or nettles to make tea with, not even a pair of ladies tights let alone a brick, or a covered container. So the other day, I poured a little of the bin bree (diluted) into a hanging basket, in which I had a strawberry plant, formerly robust but now struggling in the clutches of Lidl's finest "organic growbag" compost. (�1.19 per 30 litres bag, I was robbed.)
Yes, I expected it to be whiffy. I've heard all the stories...
What I did not expect was that the smell would GROW and GROW until not only did I take the hanging basket down from my door yesterday (my neighbours door is just about two metres away) but I was forced to cover it over today as there was a carrion reek for at least ten metres around. It smells like a graverobber's storeyard.
So...how long does this stuff smell for once applied to the soil ? Are all compost teas the same, or are there some sweet smelling ones ?
And most importantly, are there remedial measures I can take to let my poor elderly friends next door breathe more easily (and hopefully not deter them from giving me strawberry plants in the future) ?

[Glutton4...]

*Snigers behind hand.

Sorry, not laughing, honest!

[binley100]

There is no such thing as sweet smelling compost tea.........

[Shadylane]

Ew, a bit disturbing. I find the smell usually eases after a day or so, but then I use comfrey tea not rotten food tea(?) Something weird did happen the other day though. I had stuffed a load of comfrey into a bin-cum-water-butt and put a little water in the bottom. Sometime later realised it had a leak so put a tub under to catch the brew. When I returned some days later it appeared a massacre had occurred. The tub was full of dead beetles, floating in the black brew. I mean, dozens. Very odd. I can only assume they were attracted to the stench(?)

[Florence Fennel]

I've not noticed any beetles, but there are flies buzzing around my open topped buckets (must get some with lids) for obvious reasons because it does smell like "it". When I've used it on plants the smell disappears rapidly, so maybe you didn't dilute it enough? I feel sorry for your neighbours!

[Two_Sheds]

As you know, I use comfrey tea a lot, even in my gh on the patio... I haven't noticed a lingering smell, but then I do use it last thing before retiring for the night

[chris]

He puts all his food waste in there, even meat/cooked food?

I use nettle tea, it smells when you use it - but it doesn't stay around... unless you leave the top off. If it's meat and cooked stuff in there, that could be why it's ponging so.. If the bin is sealed it's probably going through anaerobic diegestion/composting by the little anaerobic dudes working their way through it

[Maccabee]

And most importantly, are there remedial measures I can take to let my poor elderly friends next door breathe more easily (and hopefully not deter them from giving me strawberry plants in the future) ?

'Flush' the basket. Basically water it, a lot.

[snohare]

Well, thanks for all your input. I think I will change the soil, I need to do something that definitely works pdq. (The only place I have to store the hanging basket, also happens to be right outside my bedroom window.)
The tidbit that there is no such thing as sweet smelling compost tea, in particular, is one I will remember !
I doubt there is any meat in the bin, they have a dog that would get that sort of scraps - but other than that, it seems to function as one of those green cone food digesters does, and well. Loads of flies when you open the lid, but otherwise no smell. Shame about the tea...
I live in a cul de sac full of pensioners, when the wind veers you can tell what everyone is having for dinner. I wonder, if I complain about the disintegrating drains on the pavement outside, would they believe me ?

[taff]

did you dilute it with water? you only need a bit in water, not use it neat...

[snohare]

Yes taff, not a bit like whisky is it !
Happily the smell has just about gone, so I haven't bothered to repot. But I'm keeping that drains excuse in mind for the next time...