Rudimentory Method
Gardeners learned ages ago that the quickest and easiest way to add nutrients around the root zone was to use a liquid compost steep, originally called compost tea. This original method to make compost tea included a burlap bag filled with compost submerged in a container of water. The bag was agitated periodically for a couple of days. As the nutrients leached out of the compost, the water turned to a light amber color, much like the color of a weak tea. This nutrient rich "compost tea" was then used to water and fertilize established plants.
Watering with "compost tea", by the Rudimentory Method, does provide plants with nutrients close to the root zone. However, any compost tea made this way does not include any beneficial microorganisms which were originally living in the solid compost.
Beneficial microorganisms which thrive in compost are aerobic. They require oxygen in order to breathe and survive. So, a compost tea made by the Rudimentory Method will not include any beneficial microbes because the organisms are under water where no oxygen is present.
In addition, rememeber that "All organic nutrients must be digested through microbial action before they are available to the plants for absorption". Without the beneficial soil microbes, nothing happens to the organic nutrients!
Watering with "compost tea", by the Rudimentory Method, does provide plants with nutrients close to the root zone. However, any compost tea made this way does not include any beneficial microorganisms which were originally living in the solid compost.
Beneficial microorganisms which thrive in compost are aerobic. They require oxygen in order to breathe and survive. So, a compost tea made by the Rudimentory Method will not include any beneficial microbes because the organisms are under water where no oxygen is present.
In addition, rememeber that "All organic nutrients must be digested through microbial action before they are available to the plants for absorption". Without the beneficial soil microbes, nothing happens to the organic nutrients!
