Frequently Asked Questions - Compost Extract (tea)

Nutrient tea from the Bokashi bin has all the nutrients from the food scraps you put in your Bokashi bin and around 30 different species of microbes that are particular to breaking down organic matter. It is primarily the nutrients from your Bokashi bin that is helpful to your plants. Compost tea has thousands of different species of microbes and few nutrients. In compost tea it is the broad spectrum of microorganisms that are beneficial to your plants.

During drought periods, plants and the soil can become quite brittle, especially when temperatures are regularly above 90 F, so we should not act too agressively.

We prefer to use soaker hoses around the drip line of the plants to moisten the soil. We like adding 1/4 gallon of compost extract to the soil around small to medium size plants, shrubs, forbs etc., with a watering can, or pour directly on to the soil where the hose is. Microbes travel deeper into the soil via the moisture. If available, use rainwater before choosing for city water as the buildup of chloramines can negatively effect the reproduction of the microbes.

During periods where the daily high is below 90F, foliar spraying of compost tea can deliver excellent results to plants that have been damaged by the drought. Compost Extract is best viewed as a therapy that needs to be repeated on a regular basis (during the growing season, we like monthly best except for when it is really cold, and not as a silver bullet like aspirin.  See our Residential Services page for more information.

Compost tea is generally aerated for 24-48 hours. Microbial Earth makes compost tea extract, which is made from high quality humified compost. We make an extraction from our humified compost and only aerate for 15 minutes. This process allows for a high quality tea that has a much longer shelf life and no issues with biofilm.