This video gives a brief overview of building a thermal compost pile, the set up of some five gallon actively aerated compost tea brews using mini-microbulators and we look at samples of our compost under the microscope.
Hello! I would like more info about the microscope analysis. A video with the pictures and info about the creatures in the compost would be a dream for me. many greetings from Bavaria !thank you for your work !
7:48 Cheaper version of the aerator: Simply use one pipe, no other fittings required, no glue involved. -Take that pipe, make it a little longer than what we see in the video. -With a saw, cut 4 'V' notch at the bottom of that pipe to let the water in. -Just above theses notch, put a hole to squeeze tight the air tubing in place. -At the surface level, put one large hole to let the liquid out and create agitation. -Extend the pipe about 6-10 inch pass this top hole (to avoid overflow/splashing) -The pipe is leading sideway, diagonal, and a bungee cord can be placed on top of it to secure it in place. -Maybe the handle can be used instead of a bungee, but probably not secure enough.. To be tried. Using a 1 inch diameter pipe will increase the velocity in the tube and will require a less powerful air pump.
Would have liked to see how your compost tea machine was precisely made(mostly how the air is introduced into the plastic pipe) Maybe it is on your website? But you did not share a link here?
QUESTIONS: Q1- Is it something we need to do every years (inoculate garden with compost tea) or only if your microbiome is not balanced in your soil? Q2- How hydroponic (using only inorganic nutrients) will compare with real soil culture? In regard of yield, relative % of vitamins, cost per kg and time invested per kg? Currently using Kratky hydroponic, but open minded. Love from Montréal
With my modified Kratky hydroponic, I never had to weed, there was no pests (no soil), no watering and don't have to worry about drought. It was an automatic, gravity feed nutrients from a 45gall. So, I only had to mix dry nute (NPK + trace elements + Ca) + water in the 45 gall twice in the summer. Quite easy to scale up for a larger garden. So, I'm sold to hydroponic, please change my mind! To be honest, I would love to use a microscope and work all this biology stuff. I already have a compost pile. I feel that it's more work, but more fun (if you do love that kind of activity). I might do a taste test and % vitamin content comparison one day.
I grow veg 'no dig'. I have previously used tea derived from worm castings, brewed up with molasses, once weekly. Now my soil is no longer disturbed by mechanical action and is supplimented after each crop by about an inch of home made vermicompost added as a mulch, do I need to carry on the action with the compost tea? Does it bring any further benefit once the soil is biologically active?
Actively Aerated compost tea made from vermicompost is rich source of diverse soil biology. Initial treatment will have the biggest effect. Sounds like you are growing annuals. Retreatment will help plants for sure. Try adding some other foods like Kelp and/or Fish Emulsion for annuals
I have a bottle of probiotics noticed there are soil based organisms instead of the common lactic acid strains, 28 strains to be exact.. would be wise to add this as an anauculant to a compost bin a brew of tea.. ?
Compost teas VS JADAM Microbial solution. How do they compare in terms of diversity and plant performance? JADAM relies on leaf mold soil you collect from a "pristine" natural location. Frequently undisturbed woods are a good place to gather inoculant biology.
JADAM is a mass Monsanto mis-information campaign, with the intent of delegitimizing compost teas as an alternate food source for growing vegetables. The number 1 rule in compost teas is not letting it go anaerobic. You will breed very harmful pathogens like e. Coli, and salmonella. All would it would take is one individual foliar feeding edible vegetables with anaerobic bacteria to make a claim for the need of conventional farming. Don't get me wrong, used in the right way I'm sure it works but one doesn't have to run the risk when dealing with edibles.
