DIY Compost Tea Brewer

Compost tea is a substance made by steeping compost in water. It is an effective and natural fertilizer, and it is also good for preventing diseases in plants. It can be used as a spray or a soil drench. It is both easy and inexpensive to make, and is much healthier than chemical fertilizers. The components of this compost tea brewer are inexpensive and easy to find at any large variety store.

• 1

  Drill two holes in the side of the bucket a few inches down from the rim, and one hole in the middle of the lid if you are using one.

• 2

  Connect the five-inch air stones to each other using the tubing and one of the T-valves, and connect the one-inch air stones to each other using tubing and the other T-valves.

• 3

  Attach both sets of air stones to the aquarium pump, threading the ends of the tubing through the holes drilled in the sides of the bucket. Make sure there is enough tubing to move the stones around freely.

• 4

  Put a pound to a pound and a half of compost, as well as the smaller set of air stones, into the paint strainer bag. Tie it closed with twine, optionally leaving a two-foot tail.

• 5

  Fill the bucket with water. Pond water works well. Optionally, add up to 2 oz. of molasses and/or 2 oz. of fish hydrolysates.

• 6

  Place the large air stones at the bottom of the bucket, and add the bag containing the compost and smaller stones.

• 7

  Optionally, run the twine tied to the tea bag through the hole in the lid of the bucket so the bag does not settle on the bottom of the bucket.

• 8

  Turn on the aquarium pump and allow the tea to brew for six to eight hours.

• 9

  Remove the bag from the tea, and connect both large air stones to the pump. Turn on the pump and allow the tea to brew for 16 to 20 more hours. Use the tea soon after.