Monthly Archives: November 2009

Compost Tea is ready to go into the garden

Posted on 16 November 2009 | Leave a comment

I am surprised to learn that probably 1/2 gallon or more of the compost tea has evaporated…I don't think Pippin drank that much.  It might be wise to use a lid next time I make compost tea.

My plan was to foliar feed my garden with the compost tea, but the winds are howling today as our first cold front of the year moves in.  So I'm heading out to the garden to harvest all the tomatoes, peppers and those strawberries that decided to fruit in November, then I'll pour my compost tea on the young seedlings.

I will also probably start a second batch of tea, it won't be cold  and windy on Wednesday and that would be a great time to foliar feed after we come out of the little cold snap.  

BTW – if I had been able to use the pump sprayer to apply the compost tea, I would have poured it through one of the paint strainer bags to catch any large particles that escaped when I initially immersed the tea bag int he water.  I did not have the bag tied closed and some debris definitely escaped.  

Happy compost Tea brewing everyone.  I hope you'll try it, its easy and your plants will love you for it.

Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna is a psychotherapist in private practice.  She helps clients heal anxiety and depression and find peace through living healthier lives.  You can learn more about her work here.

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Posted in Gardening, Organic Gardening, Science

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Compost Tea – continued

Posted on 15 November 2009 | Leave a comment

Eight hours have passed – already!  Time to take out the tea bag.  Squeeze out the excess compost tea and then put the contents back into your compost bin.  Rinse out the bag and hung it to dry…ready for the next batch.

I used an old spoon to stir the compost tea and repositioned the air stones so they were distributed evenly (sort of)  Now we wait 18-24 hours and the tea will be ready.  My compost tea mostly smells like the fish emulsion that I added – but it's a pleasant smell. 

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Cynthia

Cynthia McKenna Counseling

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Checking in on the Compost Tea

Posted on 15 November 2009 | Leave a comment

 
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The technical name for compost tea is, "actively aerated compost tea"  That is what the air pump and air stones are all about – putting as much oxygen into the water as possible.  This makes a healthy environment for the bacteria and fungai to grow, and multiply like crazy.

Compost tea should smell earthy.  It might smell sweet like molasses if you added molasses.  It might smell yeasty.  If your compost tea is really stinky, it's gone anaerobic and that's a bad thing.  That means you are growing bad or dangerous bacteria and you don't want to put them into your garden or onto your plants.  Dump it out and start a fresh batch.

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Cynthia McKenna is a psychotherapist in private practice in the Texas Hill Country.  You can learn more about her at www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

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Making Compost Tea – the process

Posted on 15 November 2009 | Leave a comment

The compost tea is brewing and I want to share the process I used.  I referenced both Bruce Deuley and Bob Webster for my tea bucket and the method.  Thanks to their generous spirits, the plants should be benefiting in about 24 hours

You'll need:

  • 5 gallon bucket
  • air pump for 50 gallon fish tank
  • air stones
  • plastic tubing
  • T splitter or other splitter to get additional lines in bucket
  • paint strainer bag
  • water:  de-chlorinate your water or use rainwater (I used pond water)
  • 1 quart of good organic compost

 
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This is the splitter I used.  Also my pump has two lines so I can get even more air lines into the bucket

 
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Air stones which create lots of bubbles in the bucket of water

Because the bacteria and fungi will need something to eat while they grow and multiply, I added 1T molasses and 1 T fish emulsion, and about 1/3 cup oatmeal to the water. 

Next -fill the paint strainer bag about 1/3 full of compost, tie the bag shut and add your bag of compost to the bucket of water..

 
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Tie bag with a string and if you are using multiple lines & air stones, put one line down in the bag.  Here is my final set up:

 
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Special thanks to Mr. Pippin for making sure I did everything correctly.

  
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Now we wait 6-8 hours then remove the bag and let bubble for another 18-24 hours.

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Cynthia

Cynthia McKenna is a psychotherapist in private practice in the Texas Hill Country.  You can learn more about her at www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

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Posted in Garden Pests, Gardening, Organic Gardening, Science

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Compost Tea

Posted on 14 November 2009 | Leave a comment

I am getting ready to make compost tea tomorrow.  I have been watching videos on the internet, and I ran to local stores today to get the supplies.  I am planning on blogging the process so if you are interested, check back over the next two days & watch the progress.

Here is a great set of very informative videos featuring my favorite organic gardening expert, Bob Webster, from Shades of Green in San Antonio, TX.

Compost Tea

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Cynthia McKenna

Therapy for women

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Posted in Garden Pests, Gardening, Organic Gardening

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Beautiful Day

Posted on 2 November 2009 | Leave a comment

I have a long list of "to do's" and I am picking away at them, and noticing that I don't procrastinate as much as I did when I was younger.  Maybe I have finally learned to just get on with unpleasant tasks. 

I hope so.  I like the "efficient" me a lot more than the slacker girl…

I hope your week is off to a good beginning.

Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna Counseling

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Posted in Bits & Bobs

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November

Posted on 1 November 2009 | Leave a comment

The summer garden is winding down and the fall plants are growing – in that slow way that seedlings do.  I am making the internal transition from summer to winter in terms of cooking, eating, and productivity.  I love the cooler months and the opportunity to be a little less busy and a little more reflective.

I was just reading about some gardens in the northern states that are already suffering from early frost, freezing rain, and even snow.  Today in Texas, it's warm and sunny.  The house is open and I can hear the water from the pond.  In the heat of summer, I wish I lived where it was cool – but once the heat breaks, there isn't any place prettier than Texas.

November 1st is the Feast of All Saints.  If you were in church this morning, you might have heard a litany of names of people who are deceased, but still loved and remembered.  Its a good time to pause and think about the people who have shaped your life – and offer a little prayer of thanksgiving for them.

Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna Counseling

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Posted in Bits & Bobs, Musings

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