Tuesday, February 11, 2014

How to Make a Compost Tea

Compost tea is a way to give your plants a boost feed and is a great soil tonic. Compost tea is preferred over manure tea by diehard organic gardeners because it yields greater nutrients and is considered to have more integrity. And common sense thinking caps on - it's not a tea you want to drink or inhale but one that your plants will soak up greedily.



Method 1 of 5: Rotting Greens

This is fairly simple and forms a leachate rather than a compost tea but given its age-old use, it might be useful if you have various fresh, leafy materials that can be used.
  1. Gather leafy material Step 1.jpg
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    Gather leafy material. Plants that are suitable include comfrey, nettles, or seaweed if you're near the beach.
  2. Fill a bucket with water Step 2.jpg
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    Fill a bucket with water.
  3. Add the leafy material Step 3.jpg
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    Add the leafy material. Leave it to rot.
  4. Pour the mixture onto plants Step 4.jpg
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    Pour the mixture onto plants.

Method 2 of 5: Mature Compost

Be aware that some people are against this method because they claim anaerobic pathogens such as e. coli can result from the "lack of oxygen" in the method. However, provided you're not ingesting or inhaling the compost, and you wear gloves (and a mask for the truly paranoid), then this method has long been used successfully. The following method is based on that provided by Tim Marshall, in Composting.[1]
  1. Use mature compost Step 5.jpg
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    Use mature compost.
  2. Place the compost into a container and top it with water Step 6.jpg
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    Place the compost into a container:
    • Place the compost in a bucket or a drum. Fill one-half to two-thirds full, then top up with water. Leave it to soak for 8 hours if you're agitating it regularly, or for 24 hours if leaving it and only agitating a few times. Or:
    • Place the compost into a hessian sack. Suspend this sack over a drum of water. Agitate the liquid two to three times on day one then every day or two for a week. It is ready for use after a week of soaking in this manner, or you can hasten the process by stirring it more frequently.
    • Consider more frequent stirring prior to use. Some gardeners believe that this provides more suspension of the nutrients.[2]
    • In either case, never leave the compost tea brewing for longer than a month.[3]
  3. Use it Step 7.jpg
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    Use it. To use the compost tea, decant it into a watering can or a spray bottle/unit. The colour of the compost should be light amber; if it is darker than that, dilute it with water.[4] It can be used safely on all of the garden and is especially useful for plants that have been newly planted or transplanted, sick plants that need a tonic, potted plants during their growth season, lawns, and the vegetable patch.[5]
    • Don't use compost tea in very cold or hot weather conditions. In summer, apply the compost tea in the early morning or afternoon. This is because the plant's stomates are open at these times.[6]
    • It should only be used during the growing season for the plants in question.
    • Plants such as broadleaf and tree crops have stomata on the underside of their leaves, so you'll need to ensure the entire leaves are covered.[7]
  4. Resoaked the compost to create more tea Step 8.jpg
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    Resoak. If wished, the compost can be resoaked to create more compost tea. You will need to add a little more new, matured compost each time though. When you no longer wish to use the compost that has been soaked, it can serve as mulch or as a soil additive.[8]

Method 3 of 5: Compost Spray

Compost spray can be made for disease control and has been used successfully for decades.[9]Again, this recipe is adapted from Tim Marshall, Composting.[10]
  1. Place a 1 kg ice cream bucket filled with compost into a bucket of water Step 9.jpg
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    Place a 1 kg ice cream bucket filled with compost into a bucket of water.
  2. Stir it for 15 minutes Step 10.jpg
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    Agitate (stir) if for 15 minutes.
  3. Spray it onto diseased plants Step 11.jpg
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    Spray the resulting liquid directly onto diseased plants. It can also be used as a disease preventative on seedlings.[11]

Method 4 of 5: Aerated Compost Extract (ACE)

This is the best method for using compost as a liquid extract (tea) but it requires some effort. The previous methods will effectively distribute nutrients and bugs from the compost into your garden. However, the ACE method will manage to increase the beneficial microbes and bugs immediately prior to application.[12] Again, the recipe is adapted from Tim Marshall, Composting.[13]
  1. Aerate your compost prior to use Step 12.jpg
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    Aerate your compost prior to use. This means it must have been turned and aerated a lot during its creation. It should have plenty of "brown" carbon source materials such as leaves, sawdust and clean cardboard in it.[14] Adding some forest soil also adds beneficial fungi according to Marc Remillard.[15]
    • When digging to aerate, be careful not to harm the hedgehogs.
  2. Only use compost that is fully mature and sweet smelling Step 13.jpg
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    Only use compost that is fully mature and sweet-smelling.
  3. Place ters fully matured and aerated compost into a bucket and fill it with water 14.jpeg
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    Place 5 to 10 litres of the fully matured, aerated, sweet-smelling compost into a 20 litre plastic bucket. Fill the rest with water.
  4. Add 250ml unsulphured molasses Step 15.jpg
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    Add 250ml unsulphured molasses. Stir this into the compost tea thoroughly. You'll need a little more molasses in cooler weather.
  5. Leave to steep for two to three days Step 16.jpg
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    Leave to steep for two to three days. During this time, stir now and then with a wooden stick. This will bring the compost solids up from the bottom and let them float around the liquid. As well, connect an aquarium pump that has three air stones in it. This will do the trick of maintaining the oxygen levels in the brew.
    • At this stage, if it is all sounding too complicated, it may help to point out that you can hire/rent commercial brewers if you're still keen. However, the aquarium pump is cheap and pretty easy to set up.
  6. Smell the compost tea Step 17.jpg
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    Smell the compost tea. It should have a sweet odor with only slight mustiness. If it smells unpleasant or too alcoholic, this means that you need to add another air stone to the aquarium pump and some a little bit more of molasses.
  7. Leave the pump on continuously while brewing Step 18.jpg
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    Leave the pump on continuously while brewing.
  8. Leave the pump on, let it settle for 10 minutes beafore using it Step 19.jpg
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    When you're ready to use the compost tea, allow the liquid to be used to settle for 10 minutes (leave the pump on, just don't stir it), before draining liquid into your sprayer or watering can. Get to work, as this needs to be used within the hour of your pouring it out of the oxygenated bucket. This top stuff is high in oxygen levels and ready to do battle against the nasties in your garden through the application of disease-fighting bacteria.


  1. Purchase your compost tea Step 20.jpg
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    Purchase your compost tea. It is possible to purchase compost tea from enthusiastic nurseries and organic gardener gurus with diplomas in organic gardening. Going this far really may not appeal to the average gardener without a diploma in organic gardening and an organic product business to market but if you're keen, here are some of the things to consider.
  2. Do some reading Step 21.jpg
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    Do some reading on the various methods of making aerobic compost tea commercially and the basics of soil microbiology. They can be quite complicated because, besides the insistence that human pathogens are about to leap out at you every move you make unless a commercial method is fully put in place, there is a belief that different nutrients and protective benefits can be concocted at various temperatures, as a result of different feeds, oxygen concentrations, the initial compost used, and brewing times.[16] Research has shown that aerobic microbes provide the best results.[17] You should understand the methods used commercially to ensure they meet your requirements and make the price worthwhile.
    • Commercial production of aerobic microbes occurs using rapid oxygen-rich fermentation under controlled conditions.[18] This highly concentrated extract requires dilution before applying to plants.
  3. Do some research, talk to some local nursey Step 22.jpg
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    If you're going to buy this extract instead of creating your own basic productions as outlined above, then do some research first before spending your hard-earned money. Talk to a local nursery that knows about the process and perhaps is even participating in it and ask plenty of questions. Follow the label closely and only keep as long as the label says, in no case beyond 6 months.[19]

How to Water Plants with Coffee

No one likes to toss out leftover brewed coffee that turned warm. If you have a few acid-loving plants around, either in the garden or in containers, you can recycle the coffee into a nutritious treat that they'll love. Coffee contains quite a few nutrients which such plants will love, including potassium, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorous and other minerals.[1]

Part 1 of 2: Checking the Compatibility of Coffee for Your Plants

  1. 1
    Research to see whether your plant is acid-friendly. Look up the type of plant that you have and see if it correctly digests acidic products. Many herbs and indoor plants will be suitable for this liquid coffee treatment. These are some examples that you can spray a coffee mixture on:
    • Spider plants
    • Roses
    • Hydrangeas
    • African Violets.
  2. Water Plants with Coffee Step 3.jpg
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    Use coffee grounds on other plants. As well as using up the liquid, there are ways to also get rid of the grounds that are beneficial for suitable plants. For example, you can combine coffee grounds with soil, compost or fertilizer. These products can then be given to plants such as the following, to boost their growth:
    • Lettuce
    • Gardenias
    • Azaleas
    • Hibiscus.

Part 2 of 2: Making and Applying the Coffee Mixture

  1. Water Plants with Coffee Step 4.jpg
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    Brew your coffee as usual. Decide if you wish to brew a normal batch or a strong mixture, as this will determine how much water you will need to use later.
  2. Water Plants with Coffee Step 5.jpg
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    Use only untouched brewed coffee. Consume, save, or discard any coffee that has been mixed with sugar and/or cream.
  3. Water Plants with Coffee Step 6.jpg
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    Dilute the coffee.[2] Combine about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water more than coffee as a standard mixture.
    • For example, if you have 1 cup (240 ml) of leftover coffee, mix it with 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) of water.
    • The amount of water can be more or less, depending how strong the original coffee is.
  4. Water Plants with Coffee Step 7.jpg
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    Add the coffee liquid to a water sprayer or can.
  5. Water Plants with Coffee Step 8.jpg
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    Water the plants. Select one day out of the week to apply the diluted coffee on the plants. Coffee can be quite acidic, so you will only need to use it sparingly versus natural water.
    • Start out small. It is better to give just a little and work out what your plants respond to than to overdo it and cause the plant to react poorly. You can slightly increase the dosage until you consider it is sufficient.

Tips

Sunday, February 9, 2014

poem:C'estFini

Ils nous manquent les mots, il nous manque le temps
elles nous manquent les raisons, vraiment pourquoi sommes nous ensemble ?
On sait tous les deux que c'est fini bébé, c'est clair
C'est  mieux que l'on en parle même plus 
Ne m'appelle pas même si je te reviens a l'esprit
C'est assez dure comme ça, je n'ai pas besoin d'entendre ta voix sur ma messagerie
Laisse juste sonner, c'est probablement mieux et si je ne te rappelle pas c'est
Parce que je ne reviendrai pas, j'ai fermé la porte

Parce quec'est fini, tu sais que c'est fini cette fois
Alors lorsque tu appelles je presse le 7 je ne veux pas entendre tes messages J'essaie de t'effacer de ma mémoire
Parce que c'est fini, je souhaite que se soit fini cette fois
Alors ne laisse pas de message quand tu appels je ne veux pas savoir où est ce que tu etais Bébé parce que c'est fini
Tu sais que c'est fini quand le feu et le désir dans ton coeur n'est plus là
Et tu sais que c'est de ta faute quand elle ne fais pas pour toi et ne te bouge pas comme elle le faisait avant
Et tu veux le mettre plus proche, mais ton coeur a gelé tu l'embrasse mais ses yeux ne se ferment pas
Alors elle dit j'aimeton coeur pour toujours et ça te blaisse mais tu sais que c'est le mieux

Tu sais que c'est fini
Tu sais que c'est fini cette fois
Alors lorsque tu appels je presse le 7 je ne veux pas entendre tes messages
messages J'essaye de t'effacer de ma mémoire
Parce que c'est fini, je souhaite que se soit fini cette fois
Alors ne laisse pas de message quand tu appels je ne veux pas savoir où est ce que tu etais Bébé parce que c'est fini
Parce que c'est fini, tu sais que c'est fini cette fois
Alors lorsque tu appelles je presse le 7 je ne veux pas entendre tes messages messages J'essaye de t'effacer de ma mémoire
Parce que c'est fini, je souhaite que se soit fini cette fois
Alors ne laisse pas de message quand tu appels je ne veux pas savoir où est ce que tu etais Bébé parce que c'est fini

pome:La tristesse

Voilà une amie toute en finesse,
Elle se glisse subtilement
Et chasse rapidement les autres sentiments.

Elle me ronge le coeur,
Avec elle je ressens un mélange de peur.
J'ai tellement mal,
Pourquoi ne suis-je donc pas normale ?

Je ne devrais pas être autant touchée
Mais c'est peut-être parce que ce ne sont pas que des idées.
Non, cela est bien réel,
Cela fait plus d'une heure que tu l'appelles...

Tu m'avais dit : "juste cinq minutes ne t'inquiète pas."
Bientôt deux heures sont passées depuis là...
Que pouvez-vous bien vous dire ?
Pourquoi dois-je souffrir le martyr...?

La poitrine creuse je te regrette déjà,
Je te sens t'envoler loin de mes bras...
J'ai si peur....
Je sens un grand malheur...

Je sens que cette nuit tout va changer,
Que tes sentiments pour moi vont se consumer et s'envoler...
J'ai si froid....
Je ne veux pas vivre sans toi. Sans toi,

je ne suis rien,
Sans toi, je sors du chemin,
Je suis totalement perdue,
Je suis en train de te perdre de vue.

L'angoisse me sert si fort,
Autour de ton coeur tu bâtis un château fort.
Le pont levis tu l'as fermé,
Je ne pourrai plus jamais y entrer...

Ca y est, tu me disais femme de ta vie,
Je me sens partir dans l'oubli,
Je pars à la dérive,
Je m'en vais sur l'autre rive...
A l'intérieur je suis comme morte...
Si seulement je passais cette porte.
J'y trouverai l'Enfer ou le Paradis,
Et pour de bon je tomberai dans l'oubli...

Loin de sa présence,
Loin de ton absence....
Je t'aimais,
Mais toi, tu m'oubliais...

Tous nos projets partent en fumée,
Moi je vais finir écrasée...
J'irai peut-être attendre le prochain train,
Je m'éloigne du droit chemin...

poem:J'ai rêvé de toi

J'ai rêvé de toi
Ton image est restée gravée dans ma mémoire
J'ai voulu t'échapper, te sortir de ma vie
Mais partout où je vais je ne pense qu'à toi
Et pourtant tu ignores combien je suis épris…

démarche si légère hypnotise mon regard.
Tes longs cheveux qui flottent soulevés par le vent
Et dansent sur tes épaules accentuant le charme
D'une auréole dorée venue d'un autre temps…

J'aime ton sourire qui éclaire ton visage
Et le son de ta voix qui fait vibrer mon cœur,
Comme le chant d'une sirène. Il faut que je reste sage
De peur que je succombe devant tant de splendeurs

Ton regard si profond a pénétré mon âme
Tes yeux pleins de lumière ont changé toute ma vie
J'aime ton beau décolleté qui rempli mes fantasmes
Tes dents blanches éclatantes qui illuminent mes nuits

Un jour tu es venue dans mon jardin secret
Sous une pluie de roses, par des chemins fleuris,
Tu m'as donné ta main et un baiser discret…
Mais je m'suis réveillé et tu étais partie…

Peut-être bien qu'un jour tu liras ce poème,
Il n'est jamais trop tard pour dire ses sentiments
Je voulais tout simplement te dire : je t'aime
Comme te l'aurait dit un jour le beau Prince Charmant.