How to make Compost Extract

It starts with a good biological compost -- your source of microbes. If you can, match the successional stage of your compost (Table 1) to the successional stage of the plants being grown.

1. Fill a watering can or 5gal bucket with water. Use ambient temperature, non-chlorinated water if possible.

   
   

2. Add compost - Place desired amount of compost into the tea bag based on the area to be treated (Table 2). 1L compost treats ~700sq m, 6L treats 1 acre!

   
   

3. Extract microbes - Massage the tea bag in water for ~60 seconds. Water will turn dark brown as microbes and organic compounds are released.

   
   

4. Apply immediately - Use a watering can, backpack sprayer, irrigation, or sprayer (<50 psi). Apply directly to soil, mulch or compost.

   
   

5. Tidy up - Add spent compost to garden beds. Rinse and resue tea bag. Clean equipment.

Table 1. Choosing the right compost for your plants

	Early Succession	Mid-Succession	Late-Succession
Plant Community	Grass, Brassicas	Vegetables, Crops	Shrubs, Trees, Vines
Microbial Stage	Mostly bacteria (F:B<0.2)	Balanced (F:B~1)	Mostly fungi (F:B>1)
Compost Type(s)	Aged manure, most commercial composts	Thermal compost, Vermicompost	Aged Johnson-Su, static pile composts

Table 2. Application rates

Compost Used	Water Added	Area Treated	Size Comparison
0.25L	2.5L	~178sqm (1,915sqft)	Small backyard garden
0.5L	5L	~350sqm (3,800sqft)	Large backyard
1L	10L	~700sqm (7,600sqft)	Front and backyard
6L	60L	~4270sqm (46,000sqft)	1 acre