aerobically activated compost tea

[safronsue]

I've been reading up about this and it's fascinating and totally doable. Has anyone on here had a go? What results did you get?

[Zech]

No, but I'm intrigued. Is that a very wet silage? What's the advantage over just sticking the compost in a heap?

[Odsox]

I came across something similar a few years ago, but this involved pumping air through the liquid with an aquarium aerator, so that would be aerobically activated, the complete opposite.
It looked intriguing but a lot of faffing about, so I never tried it. I would be interested in what anaerobic compost tea is though.

[safronsue]

I think the main trouble with anaerobic tea is it's a fine line between sweet stuff and E. coli soup! I'm going to try to make some aact with just stirring the oxygen in with a big stick as I don't have a pump. Below link is informative but there're many YouTube vids as well. It appeals to me as a free way to improve soil structure as although I have limitless well rotted manure from my horses I think my veg could thrive better and that soil science is the key.
So damn interesting what's going on in the brown stuff!
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/orga ... 09975.html

[Odsox]

You have me confused now, your post is about ANAEROBIC compost tea but the link is for AEROBIC compost tea.
Are you getting the 2 mixed up ?

[safronsue]

Yes! Silly me. Title should read aerobic. Sorry!

[Pumkinpie]

I have a black bin full of my soil friendly bacteria and yeasts.
I bought a starter culture a few years ago whilst at a gardening show.
I use it to put on my raised beds when I am adding additional organic material, it just gives it an extra boast to help stuff rot quicker.
I also use it as a compost accelerator .
I keep it going by topping it up with water and feeding it with carbohydrates and sugars , an occasional spoonful of marmite too( for vitamins and trace nutrients for the bugs)
Mine smells nice , quite yeasty.
I thing I have got quite a nice little community of bugs that live together happily.

I used to grow bacteria to earn my dosh but now I just like messing about in the mud.

[safronsue]

Pumpkinpie, that's interesting. I'm wondering how it keeps sweet with good bacteria without going off with bad bacteria multiplying. Obv it's working, just trying to understand all this biology!

[safronsue]

...oops, I edited my original post title but of course the others say the wrong thing still.. Think I'll just retreat to my garden and turn my compost heap or something.

[doofaloofa]

Yes! Silly me. Title should read aerobic. Sorry!

We won't tell any one

[Pumkinpie]

By keeping my brew slightly acidic I have a mixed culture of yeasts and good soil bacteria.
The lower temperature also favours growth of environmental organisms.
If it doesn't look or smell right I use a new starter culture to start a fresh brew .
I keep one brewing in my airing cupboard which has a temp between 27 and 30 C , which is ideal for environmental organisms.
I have a good nose for bacteria after spending thirty years growing pathogenic bacteria from people ,to test against the antibiotics the doctors use to try and kill the little bugs.
That seems such a long time ago now.

[safronsue]

So do bad bacteria always smell bad? Do you think your brew is the same or similar to aact's? What an interesting airing cupboard you have

[Carltonian Man]

I make this in a low-tech way from home-made compost containing rabbit poo. The mix contains half a shovel of compost, two tablespoons of molasses (T8 and Lyalls black treacle) and five gallons of rain water. Whisked and stirred thoroughly every few hours until frothy (12-24hrs) then dilute for application.
Can't say that it grows huge crops or noticeably inhibits disease but it does feed the soil and works well in periods of heavy rain compared to agro chems that tend to wash away.
Fresh sheep poo instead of compost also does the trick and, if anything, has a more marked effect (particularly on brassicas). Sheep poo tea takes about 48 hours to brew; when it's ready it takes on a slightly viscous, glossy look and like compost tea doesn't smell offensive.
Both brews are aerobic, help to feed the soil and colloidal gums from the bacteria aid structure and improve drainage.
For how much it costs I reckon it's well worth a go.

[Pumkinpie]

Like that one carltonian man.
I like to think bacteria are like plants.
All are good bacteria if they are in the right environment and bad if they are in the wrong place.
Weeds are only plants in the wrong place.