Ok first picture

2nd picture, after I shook up the bottles

I swear I put a tiny amount of alfalfa in these - it's swollen up to 4x. Does it have to smell bad before you use it? It's was scary to see it bubbling out of the top....

Geez it's been many yrs since I did alfalfa tea. I just put it in a big plastic garbage can and let it steep. Was really nasty smelling after a few days. But I'd just take and scoop out a pitcher-full and pour it around. Yours looks fine. I think I would loosen the caps a bit, just in case they explode!

it smells bad because it is not being aerated (no oxygen). The alfalfa is fermenting. I don't think there is any "right" in making this, although, I've not seen it made in gallon jugs before (I made mine in a 32-gallon trash can). I have just used water and alfalfa. You'll have to ask others about "ready", I just apply the dry meal and water it in.

We've always made it in a 32-G trash can -- and diluted it before use. It was just alfalfa, as pure as possible, and lots of water. As it steeped, really did look like a portable swamp, and smell like it, too.

It got stirred up daily, using an old rake. Yes, it smells, but the smell dissipates quickly.

I don't, however, understand the purpose of the molasses. We in fact have always gone to some trouble to avoid any form of alfalfa with added molasses (i.e., rabbit pellets), or at least avoid it to the greatest degree possible. We don't need ants!

I don't think you've got enough water. I would dilute the stuff a lot.

So, why HAVE you added the molasses? I'm really curious.

Horticultural molasses is different than the stuff from the grocery store. Molasses was in one of the original Alfalfa teas recipe. I used it but used hort. grade from Millsmix. Your tea looks ready to me. I quit waiting until it gets stinky. Didn't think is was all that necessary. The only reason I saw in brewing was to make ingredients available sooner. I also use the stuff dry now as the liquid encourages the raccoons to dig more than they already do.

I looked it up to be sure. The molasses was included as a high carbon source. But the recipe called for very little hort. molasses one tablespoon for each gallon of water.

Thank you everyone!!! @jerijen I'm not sure where I got the blackstrap molasses info...maybe it was in the Organic Lawn/Soil, Compost, Mulch area? I thought it was to feed the bacteria....??? I'm so glad I asked! Good to know that it's too concentrated....it was such a surprise to see such a tiny amount of pellets swell up and try to climb out of the jug.

I feel timid about a garbage can...our house is on a public "lake" and I can imagine getting calls from the HOA. Not to mention DH is really sick of the existing Wintersowing mess... A big smelly garbage can might send him over the top!

Walters recipe is about what we've done -- NO epsom salts in our case ... not with OUR water/soil! We have occasionally added kelp. But really, it's the hormones in the alfalfa that do the job. THAT is the power house that drives the growth.

In your situation, maybe try dry alfalfa, well-watered-in?

I did use alfalfa pellets this winter for the first time....a lot actually! People seem to rave about the tea, so I gave it a try! I've had such improvements in all my plants....my peach/orange trees are putting out more blooms than I ever had before...like 3x. I've also been trying to improve the soil...so it's been a multipronged attack!

Thanks for the feedback! I'm trying again with the tea and using much less alfalfa...so far so good!