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jayhvaghela

Compost Tea??

14 years ago

Hi All,

Recently some of my tomatoes sidling got burnt. There are some in good shape, I am planning to give it any fertilizer or should I use compost tea? Should I just go out and buy 20-20-20 all purpose fertilizer or I should buy compost and make compost tea myself?

Also I am planning to buy Gardener's Delight tomato plant, Any idea where can I buy that(Located in Etobicoke, Toronto)?

Thanks

Comments (6)

  • 14 years ago

    Do you mean what to use if they survive the sunburn and go into the garden? Or will you be growing them in containers?

    There is a long discussion about fertilizers just down the page here that should answer your fertilizer questions about growing in the ground. Containers are a different matter.

    Dave

    Here is a link that might be useful: fertilizer discussion

  • 14 years ago

    Wild guess but if your seedling got "burnt" in Ontario in April, I'd guess it'd be due to too much fertilizer.

  • 14 years ago

    jayvaghela,
    I have used compost tea too great success on my tomatos this season. I live in the panhandle of Fl, and we've had plenty of rain (so far) and a very mild winter (really not winter at all). I planted my tomatos from seedlings back in the middle of March, so I'm already getting ripe vegetables. But, I attribute most of the success I've had, so far, to A...compost tea, and B...mulching to keep in the nutrients and moisture. I know people don't mulch much in vegetable gardens, but it's working for me. Sorry for being verbose...my ultimate point is, that I highly recommend compost tea over fertilizers like Miracle Grow, or to supply the right blend of nutrients.

    Gene

  • 14 years ago

    From his other post, Jay's plants got sunburned when he put them out in the direct sun without hardening them off first.

    Dave

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks All,
    Yes Dave is right, it was direct sunlight.
    Okey then, Gene, I dont have any idea about how to make compost tea? I now ppl suggest buy compost, soak in water for 3-4 days and brew it and then add to plants. but dont know where to buy that and what is the exact method.

    Thanks.

  • 14 years ago

    I am making my first batch of compost tea as I write this. I found a ton of useful videos on youtube. I used a 30 gallon molasis tub recycled from a farmer friend. I also used about 30 feet of soaker hose, connected to a dual output air pump from a fish tank. I placed 3 bricks on the soaker hose that is coiled up on the botom of the 30 gallon bucket. I useda 5 gallon paint strainer bag that I purchased from sherwin williams. I filled it with about 2 gallons of compost I purchased in a bag from walmart, i also put about a gallon of compressed freshly picked weeds from my neighbors field. I picked some clover but mostly true tap root style weeds. My thinking on the weeds is that tap root weeds take up hard to reach trace minerals and well clover is a nitrogen fixer. So I figured the green plant material would be a fertilizer boost. I zip tied the compost weed mixture so no solids will fall out. I had filled the bucket the day before with tap water, adn I areated it for a few hours. that should hav egotten most of th emunicipal chlorine out. Now I place the tea bag in the water, adn it sank. i also added about a cup of molasis. It has been bubbling about 24 hours now. It has a nice faomy layer on top, adn the soaker hose allows bubbles all over the bucket so there are no dead spots void of O2.
    My first batch is not finished yet, but it smells the way many describe, the color is very tea like, adn it has the soapy bubbles as it should. I would guess I have a very good first batch. I have 24 dollars invested in the pump equipment from amazon , the bucket was free. the compost was left over from some mothers day potting gifts, but cost about $3 for the bag which is still over half full after several pottings, adn this batch of tea.
    aerated compost tea is quite inexpensive adn cheap to make. dont be afraid. But if you were local to me I would be happy to give you a gallon to try out.
    I am thinking about selling it at the farmers market. I figure have a frsh batch ready on saturday morning, and tell people to use it up by Sunday. I have read it sells for $3 to $10 per gallon. Ill probably play with mine for this year. See how it works out. If I think it is the real deal offer it to others. I know compost tea is the real deal. i just dont know if mine is.

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