Hi Kimmq, thanks, this is the commenced plan, prep soil with Humates, then add the life 'brewed', then Mycorrhizal fungus as a "mediator" (?) of nutrient exchange between the plant & the soil around it, sound right to you?

Is the link floating about please Kimmq? Ta

Here is the link referred to above. I would also urge you to read the associated article, 'The Jury is Still Out on Compost Tea', as there is significant ongoing discussion as to the actual benefits of compost tea beyond it being a weak natural fertilizer.

btw, the need to add micorrhizal fungi to an existing soil is typically unnecessary unless that soil has been previously heavily farmed or cropped. It is already present.

Thanks gardengal, Have read the two links, The cautionary tale of aerated compost teas is about 5 years old the science should have fleshed out a bit now? I came across Dr Ingham in week one of this journey, she is very persuasive & indeed a bit of a guiding light for me up to today. The only way this is going to stick in my sieve/brain,is to learn why compost
works. Not just that it does. I'll still use my nose, and any other
godly tool I can rustle up from within.

Sorry about that.

http://www.finegardening.com/brewing-compost-tea

I do agree with Lee Reich about the benefits of brewing and spraying compost teas. I also agree with Jeff Gillman that purchasing mycorrhizal fungi is largely a waste of your money. Create a good healthy soil and those fungi will move in. What you purchase may not be the ones you want or they may die in storage and/or shipping.

kimmq is kimmsr

"The cautionary tale of aerated compost teas is about 5 years old the science should have fleshed out a bit now?"

Actually, it has not. There has been no significant science-based evidenciary support that aerated compost tea is anything more than than a weak organic fertilizer.

Hi gardengal, Your post sent me reading once again. I have come across some information about scientific studies, that in a few cases, I have to admit to restricting my understanding, to the conclusion section of reports. Have a look at these two links, the first is much easier to read than the second. Would be interested to see what you think of them. What is certain is the call for much more research.

https://www.soilassociation.org/resource-centre/press-releases/on-farm-field-lab-sees-organic-farmer-increase-yield-through-compost-teas/

http://escholarship.org/uc/item/7hs4001x