Fertiliser Teas.

These fertiliser teas are really easy to make. I make a really high nitrogen fertiliser tea, using old chicken poop. (see the manure tea below). Its great for leafy green vege, such as lettuce, kale, spinach, anything that need good leaf growth. Its also good for citrus trees.

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Presenter: Angus Stewart, 10/07/2010

SERIES 21 Episode 21

Many plants will grow faster and stronger with a regular dose of liquid fertiliser. However, because commercial liquid fertilisers can be fairly pricey, Angus has found an alternative.

"With a little bit of effort, you can make fertiliser teas that have similar beneficial effects as commercial products."

Manure Tea

1. Fill an old pillowcase with animal manure.
2. Tie the pillowcase with string.
3. Place the pillowcase into a large container, such as a plastic rubbish bin
4. Fill the container with water until it's just past the top of the pillowcase.
5. Let it sit for a few hours so the goodies from the manure leach into the water.
6. Dilute the liquid until it's the colour of weak tea before using on the garden.
7. You can re-use the tea bag many times.


Worm Farm Tea

1. Remove the lid from the worm farm.
2. Place a bucket under the tap and turn it on.
Fill a watering can and water the worms.
3. The water flows through the worm farm, catching soluble nutrients, and empties into the bucket.>/li>
4. As well as the nutrients, the water will contain humus and beneficial microorganisms which are great for your soil.
5. Once again, don't burn your plants by giving them too much of a good thing. Dilute this concentrate to the colour of weak tea before you apply it to your plants.


Kitchen Scraps Tea

1. Place a handful of vegetable kitchen scraps in a blender.
2. Add a cup of water and puree.
3. Pour one litre of puree into a bucket and add five litres of water.
4. Steep this overnight.
5. Strain the mixture through a coarse sieve.
6. The liquid can go straight on the garden - simply leave the rose off the watering can so it doesn't clog.
7. What's in the sieve can go straight on the compost or into the worm farm.


Angus says, "Fertiliser teas cost next to nothing to make and they're organic. They're great for your soil and will feed your plants at the same time. Why not give it a go?"
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