If you’re interested in making your own sustainable plant fertilizer, it’s a great time to learn how to make compost tea from kitchen waste. Composting takes the organic waste from your daily life like eggshells, coffee grounds and grass clippings and breaks them down into their basic nutrients.
Having a compost pile or compost bin means you have a wealth of fertilizer available - but what if you could make your own fertilizer on a much smaller scale?
Tea recipe
While plenty of non-food items can be composted, you’ll get the most effective results making compost tea with the following types of food waste:
- Banana peels.
- Eggshells.
- Coffee grounds.
- Onion skins.
- Miscellaneous veggie scraps like stems and wilted leaves.
Process
- Add your kitchen scraps to a large glass jar or pitcher.
- Fill the rest of the container with fresh water.
- Cover the container loosely and let “steep” for three to five days.
- Using a sieve or strainer, separate the liquid from the remaining compost matter.
- To make the most of your kitchen waste, blend the remains in a food processor to create a “compost smoothie.” This can also be used in your garden when diluted with water.
Tips & tricks
Here are some more ideas and advice for brewing and using compost tea:
- Place your compost scraps in a clean nylon stocking to make a DIY “tea bag.” When working with larger quantities, you can use a burlap sack.
- Always dilute your freshly aerated compost tea with water before giving it to your plants. It’s best to use the ratio of one part tea to four parts water.
- You can keep your finished compost tea in a sealed container for up to a week after brewing.
Now that you know how to brew compost tea, you can use your once-useless kitchen waste to improve soil structure and aid plant growth in your garden.
About the Author
Tracey Lizza
TRACEY LIZZA - Buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. Tracey is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service with total discretion for all of her clients. She takes great pride in the relationships she builds and always works relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. Tracey places a high value on responsiveness and availability. She works with her clients every step of the way whether they are buying, renting or selling. A career as a real estate professional has been a perfect fit for Tracey. She has had a varied background in the marketing communications field including having worked in the international fashion industry as a buyer for over a decade. Combined with a personal selection of residential and commercial properties, Tracey brings her expertise along with firsthand experience. Tracey and her family enjoy the Shoreline lifestyle of Southeastern Connecticut and have garnered great pleasure volunteering and being active in her community and children’s schools. Tracey interests include gardening, fishing and boating.
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CAROL GESSNER - As a full-time Realtor I have the knowledge you need to get your home sold or find a new one. I am highly dedicated to bringing you customer service that exceeds your expectations. You can expect nothing less than superior professionalism and integrity from me. I have lived in southeastern Connecticut for 35 years. I grew up here. I have a connection to this community and the people who call it home. When I'm not helping my clients, I enjoy gardening, cooking and traveling. My true passions in life are my husband James, and our kids Nicholas and Nola.
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