On 8 Sep 2003 11:53:16 -0700, (Fleemo) wrote:

Ya see how even what seems to be a simple subject can result in so
many conflicting opinions? :}

Well there are conflicting opinions and then there are the known
scientific facts. ATTRA.ORG soilfoodweb.com, and the international
compost tea council and the compost council are sources of the good
science behind composting and ACT.

I'm curious, Tom, why wouldn't the "typical homeowner stuff" be good
enough for the tea? Are there really different grades of compost?

Compost is a really general term. First we probably need a 250-post
wreck.gardens slugfest to sort it out? Nah! Most homeowners do not get
their compost piles to temperature. I insist, and good science backs
up the concept, that the compost has controlled inputs (balanced) and
reaches 135-150 several times in the cycle. I also insist that it be
tested by the manufacturer for biological diversity and stability.

I say vermicompost even when a little pricey for quality stuff because
if it's from a tested source it's likely far more stable and
biologically divers than most composts.

I forgot to mention that I did add some organic molasses to the pot.
The kelp exctract and rock phosphate are new to me. I assume you can
find this stuff at a typical garden center, and that they're essential
to the formula?

Typical garden center? Maybe in OR or WA, they seem to be more
enlightened.

I often use and recommend www.groworganic.com

So for the rings of porus tubing, I'm picturing two concentric circles
a the bottom of the bucket, correct? Where do you find such tubing?


Yes at the bottom of the bucket.
I found it in a conventional nursery drip irrigation section.
http://doitbest.com/shop/product.asp...400&sku=702775

I don't recommend gluing it down, as it needs to be changed every once
in awhile as the bacteria and fungi tend to clog it up. A visual
inspection will tell you when to change it.

Feel free to eail for additional resources.


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