The Magic of Foliar Feeding and Compost Tea

Written by admin on June 20, 2023. Posted in blog, Fertilizer, Foliar Feeding

Hello fellow garden-eers and plant lovers! Today, we’re going to talk about two phenomenal techniques that can help bring life and vigor to your green space: foliar feeding and using compost tea. These simple yet effective techniques can significantly enhance the health and productivity of your garden.

The Power of Foliar Feeding

Foliar feeding is a method of fertilizing plants directly through their leaves. Plants are, to some extent, capable of absorbing essential elements through their foliage, in addition to the regular nutrient uptake via their roots. This technique offers several benefits to your garden:

1. Fast nutrient absorption: Plants can absorb nutrients through their leaves much faster than through their roots. In cases where nutrients are deficient, foliar feeding can provide a quick fix.
2. Increased effectiveness: Foliar sprays often have higher bioavailability, meaning the nutrients are in a form the plants can use more immediately and effectively.
3. Addressing nutrient deficiencies: Foliar feeding can effectively correct nutrient deficiencies. It’s a quick way of giving your plants a boost when they look a bit ‘under the weather.’
4. Reduced soil dependency: Foliar feeding minimizes dependency on soil fertility. Even if your soil isn’t top-notch, you can still ensure your plants get the nutrients they need.

Compost Tea – A Liquid Gold for Plants

Compost tea, not for your afternoon break but a nutritious concoction for your plants, is another game changer. It’s a liquid solution or suspension made by steeping compost in water. It’s an excellent way to provide nutrients and beneficial microbes to plants, helping them grow stronger and more resistant to diseases.

Making Compost Tea

Making your own compost tea at home is simple:

You’ll need:

• A large bucket or container
• Unchlorinated water (as chlorine can kill beneficial microbes)
• Quality compost or worm castings
• A burlap sack or an old pillowcase
• A small air pump (like those used in aquariums)

Steps:

1. Fill your container about 1/3 full with quality compost.
2. Put the compost in the burlap sack or pillowcase and tie it closed.
3. Place the sack in the bucket and fill it with unchlorinated water.
4. Install the air pump to aerate the mixture. This promotes the growth of beneficial aerobic bacteria and fungi.
5. Let the mixture brew for 2-3 days, making sure to stir it occasionally.
6. After brewing, remove the bag of compost. Your compost tea is ready!

Using Compost Tea

Compost tea can be used as a soil drench or a foliar spray. When used as a soil drench, it introduces beneficial organisms and nutrients into the soil, enhancing its overall fertility. As a foliar spray, it provides nutrients directly to the plant and can help control foliar diseases.

When spraying compost tea, ensure it’s finely misted, but not dripping excessively, as the goal is to coat the leaves lightly. This can be done in the early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the intense heat of the day.

It’s best to use fresh compost tea, but if you need to store it, keep it in a cool, dark place and use it within a few hours.

So, there you have it – a quick rundown on foliar feeding and the magic of compost tea. These techniques are environmentally friendly, economical, and a boon to your garden’s health and productivity. Give them a try and watch your plants thrive like never before!