Mushroom compost tea is an organic liquid fertilizer that provides instantaneous delivery of organic nutrients and beneficial organisms directly to plant roots, providing quick access to essential elements. Mushroom compost tea can also be used as an irrigation medium during new plantings as well as help break up clay-compacted soil or compacted areas – it’s an ideal option for gardeners looking for non-chemical options.

Mushroom compost production starts with large bales of wheat straw that have been submerged in water and left to soak, before running them through a chipper and being broken up to create mulch material that can be used to amend soils. Next comes horse manures (including chicken) as well as gypsum mineral which adds calcium and sulfur while other materials such as peat moss, sorghum meal or cottonseed meal, sawdust coffee grounds or any weeds can also be mixed into the mixture.

Once all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed, the compost pile should be left for several weeks to decompose in an aerobic environment, where microbes break down organic materials by heating up and killing any seeds or pathogens present in it. When its temperature reaches 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, it will be taken from its holding bin and spread on soil amendment projects across the nation.

After cooling, the compost is screened to remove any clumps or large pieces of manure that remain. Once this step is complete, fine compost can then be mixed with water and allowed to ferment; typically this process lasts two days depending on ambient air temperatures.

As part of the compost tea brewing process, it is crucial that it remains aerated. Aeration encourages aerobic microbes that aid digestion while deterring pathogens; to provide a steady source of oxygen a multi-outlet aquarium pump with air stones may be placed in a five gallon bucket at the bottom. Some recipes also suggest additional additives, including teaspoon to one ounce of unsulfured blackstrap molasses, kelp or fish hydrolysate which provide source of sugar while anchor spores or hyphae.

Compost tea can then be used as a soil amendment or foliar spray, either directly on the ground or using a sprayer. When applied directly onto grass, it works as a light fertilizer without oversaturating soil with unnecessary nutrients or encouraging weed growth. When used as an irrigation source for newly planted vegetables, fruits or trees, its liquid can help roots get an early start and become established quickly; additional benefits may include protecting them from insects or diseases like root knot nematodes – repeated applications will ensure lasting effect throughout their growing seasons – just remembering to add tea into soil every now and then will ensure continued life long after.