OSU/Lane County Extension Service Compost Specialist Program
A program jointly supported by the City of Eugene, Oregon and OSU/Lane County Extension Service

Plans for a home made 25-gallon compost tea brewer

Plans and specifications by Mark Rutter

The making and use of compost tea has not been scientifically validated by Oregon State University. Use your own judgment and discretion when making and using compost tea. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

25-gallon compost tea brewer plans page 2

Plans and specifications by Mark Rutter Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era status. Oregon State University Extension

25-gallon compost tea brewer plans parts list page 3

Plans and specifications by Mark Rutter

Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era status. Oregon State University Extension

Directions for using the 25-gallon compost tea brewer

Supplies:

1. Where to buy an air pump (50 watts) On the World Wide Web http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/6575/cid/ or check with local aquatic suppliers. An outdoor air-pump (not submersible) that meets the specifications may be used.
2. Where to buy a mesh bag for containing the compost On the World Wide Web http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings.categories/ssid/ or make your own bag from a 2- gallon paint strainer sack.

Recipe for basic compost tea

Many recipes exist for making compost tea. This is intended as a starting point only and does not guarantee results. There are currently no USDA standards about what makes “good” compost tea. Experiment and observe to see if compost tea works in your garden.

Compost: Healthy active compost such as vermicompost (worm compost.) Use 2 cups per 5 gallons of water. Fungal food source: Liquid or powdered kelp, 2 tablespoons per 5 gallons Bacterial food source: Sweet, unsulphered molasses, 2 tablespoons per 5 gallons

Add the liquid kelp and molasses to the water. Place powdered kelp in the strainer/mesh bag with the compost.

Suspend the bag from the PVC tubing across the top of the brewer. Insert the short PVC pipe into the bag to aerate the compost during the brew cycle.

The making and use of compost tea has not been scientifically tested and verified for use by Oregon State University. This is an emerging area of interest in both commercial and home horticulture. For more information about making and using compost tea go to:

Pennsylvania Dept of Environmental Protection http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/Tea/tea1.htm

California Integrated Waste Management Board http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/CompostMulch/CompostTea/default.htm

An article by Dr. Elaine Ingham of the Soil Food Web http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00030.asp

From Biocycle Magazine http://www.jgpress.com/BCArticles/2000/100071.html

Compost Tea Task Force Report http://www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/meetings/CompostTeaTaskForceFinalReport.pdf

Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era status. Oregon State University Extension