| Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. | | | | Plants produce their own energy and food and half |
| But now, there's something even better and that's | | | | of that goes to the roots and some of that goes |
| compost tea. If you start with a good compost you'll | | | | into the surrounding soil and guess who gets that? |
| have a versatile elixir for all your garden needs. | | | | Correct, the good guys, and then it turns into a |
| Compost tea helps prevent foliage diseases and at | | | | beneficial cycle. |
| the same time increase the nutrients to the plant and | | | | The following is taken from the internet and shows |
| shutdown the toxins hurting the plants. It will improve | | | | compost tea is becoming a force in gardening. |
| the taste/flavor of your vegetables. So why not give | | | | National Organic Standards Board Compost Tea Task |
| this tea a try either by buying it or brewing it | | | | Force Report April 6, 2004 Introduction In 2003, the |
| yourself. You won't believe the results! | | | | National Organic Standards Board convened a |
| Four ways that good bacteria work: | | | | Compost Tea Task Force to review the relevant |
| Help compete for the nutrients | | | | scientific data and report their recommendations on |
| Dine on the bad varmits | | | | 'What constitutes a reasonable use of compost tea?' |
| Help produce antibiotics to use against the varmits. | | | | The Task Force was composed of 13 individuals with |
| They shove the bad varmits out. | | | | knowledge and expertise in organic farming practices, |
| Compost tea that is correctly brewed has a wealth | | | | organic certification, EPA pathogen regulations, |
| of microorganisms that will benefit your plants' | | | | compost, compost tea production and analysis, plant |
| growth and health as well as the soil that they live in. | | | | pathology, food safety and environmental |
| Compost tea can be considered yogurt for the soil. | | | | microbiology. |
| The microorganisms living there are both good and | | | | Throughout their discussions, members consistently |
| bad. What the tea does is make sure the good guys | | | | acknowledged the growing interest among certified |
| win by introducing helpful bacteria, fungi, protozoa | | | | organic and conventional growers to use compost |
| and beneficial nematodes. | | | | teas, and the need to develop effective |
| Harmful bacteria lives best in soil that does not have | | | | biologically-based tools to manage plant fertility, |
| good air circulation. Good bacteria lives best and will | | | | pests, and diseases. |
| thrive in soil that is well ventilated with oxygen. This | | | | A primary reason for producing compost tea is to |
| is where a good compost tea, made the right way, | | | | transfer microbial biomass, fine particulate organic |
| comes in. When you have well oxygenated compost | | | | matter, and soluble chemical components of compost |
| you automatically get rid of 3/4 of the bad varmits. | | | | into an aqueous phase that can be applied to plant |
| Also by using harmful insecticides or chemical | | | | surfaces and soils in ways not possible or |
| fertilizers we reduce the number of beneficial | | | | economically feasible with solid compost. |
| microorganisms in the soil. | | | | |