Brewing & Analysing Compost Tea Under The Microscope

[@hbrws813]

Retired teacher from the US in Georgia: I, too, am geeking out over your experiments! I am writing down "new" vocabulary (so I can show off/impress friends) but also learn to improve the soil in my garden beds. Thank you so much for teaching us as you learn!

[@brianseybert2189]

Picked up a microscope just over a year ago, changed the way I garden. Had a heck of a time figuring out what I was looking at, a lot of searching on KZbin. Elaine Ingham got me hooked. Have not many teas, but planning to this summer. I do look at all my soil amendments, worm castings, compost and leaf mold, along with checking the soil. I find the highest numbers of good protozoa, nematodes and microarthropods come from the worm castings. By far the leaf mold is loaded with fungal spores and hyphae. I also am working to add more of a fungal element to my garden, the leaf mold is helping a lot. Enjoyed your video! Stay Well!!! I have a small channel if you want to take a peek. Just click on the orange B. Have a nice day!!!

[@christinefarr6420]

I haven't thought much about protozoans and beneficial fungi since studying zoology and botany back in the sixties. Thank you for reminding me of their worth. You deserve the very best for your soil.

[@petpawteek8776]

I’m loving geeking out over your experiments! Can’t wait to see more!! ❤

[@bloomandgray]

I’m so glad!! I’ll keep them coming 😁

[@rodneyl.bloomii3588]

Hey Sarah. Nice to see your excitement and to share your journey. I've been making actively aerated compost teas off and on for some years. A couple of quick ideas. 1.) Try breaking up some straw and doing an extract with it in water either squeezing the soaked straw or bubbling it in a bucket. You may get some protozoa out of it and you should definitely get nematodes which you can then add to your brew. I usually hot compost the straw in a pile to make sure I get rid of root feeding and parasitic nematodes. 2.) You may want to watch the air stone and make sure that it doesn't get fouled with biofilms that will turn your tea anaerobic. Personally I've always used a spiral pipe with holes (commercial product) with good results. 3.) Here in the states we use chloramine in addition to chlorine in water treatment plants and you can't bubble out chloramine. Add an organic acid (humic acid, vitamin C, etc.) if you are dealing with chloramine as well. Are you also doing soil drenches? Great use for the manual extractions you are doing. Thank you for sharing and caring about what foes in your soil. You're making the world a better place.

[@ricksteen935]

I really like the idea of the soul drenches, as it puts the stuff that you are brewing back into the soil to multiply. Not so fond of the foliar spraying though.

[@mickpoultney]

Love it ..... trial and error , still learning myself .

[@sharoncalatayud6410]

Thank you for your educational journey and sharing it with us!!

[@R1chiesART]

I got myself a new swift S50 microscope back in February and have been compiling a few short videos on soil samples from my allotment. I am blown away with the life beneath our feet and I just love getting soil samples from around where I live. I can't get enough! Lol. I'm probably at the same stage as yourself as I just sprayed a batch of planters I look after back in May. The planters exploded after I did the chop and drop method along with the spraying. The microbes are prolific too. I have only managed to edit a few videos because its not my thing but the results are amazing...

[@catreeves963]

Love the vid and hearing about the process! Even the quote ‘failures’ are great to share as you can help us avoid any blunders ourselves or learn how to troubleshoot more effectively ☺️

[@ChrisSneller]

Really interesting Sarah. I studied plant microbiology back in the 80s & this has reminded me of so many things to look up again! Keep sharing your journey! It is inspiring me.

[@flatsville9343]

Thanks for being honest & transparent about your compost tea brewing. I too hane been suspicious abot the claims made with no microscope work to verify. I now use a simple vermicompost drench on small, tender seedlings. Larger seedlings get a mix of compost & worm casting at the bottom of the hole. No muss, no fuss. Results are good (&sometimes great.) Plants get mulched in with leaf mould.

[@ec9401]

This is fascinating! Thank you for sharing your scientific approach. I’ve often wondered if compost teas etc. were as beneficial as they are touted to be. (Not that I doubt the theory, but you know, in our capitalist culture it’s hard to separate marketing from truth.) Can’t wait to learn more with you!

[@kailemke8143]

Thank you very much, Sarah, for sharing your journey. I think it helps very much that people show how they get benefit from the microscope. Currently the discussion is quite theoretical which doesn't help to convince farmers and gardeners. Most practitioners won't purchase a class for learning to use the microscope if they are not yet fully convinced. But if they have an idea of how it works, they might just purchase a microscope and see if they get a return from it. So we need more examples of how things look if they are good or bad in combination with the plant responses. I'm pretty sure the classes are worth their money, but for practitioners they are more suited for getting better in something they already do like a farmer learns how to drive the tractor first and then gets the driver's license. Did I see right that you sprayed your tea on a green cover of pure mustard? From what I've learned mustard is not very good for biodiversity in the soil. It does a very good job in fast germination under quite all circumstances which is very helpful, but if you are trying to enhance your soil, it's much better to use a mix. 10 percent of mustard in a mix does a good job, but when used purely it tends to push the soil back to a lower succession state. So I don't know how well it does if you try to apply biodiversity and at the same time have pure mustard growing. I think I have this information from the German IG Boden which aims to push restorative agriculture on large scale where they very much depend on green covers.

[@pelisgratis]

Thank you Sarah, I am learning a lot from what you share. If possible, I would love to know more of the details on the procedure to make compost tea. Thank you!

[@steveevans1841]

Non-Sulphur Black Strap Molasses is good food for making compost tea in a 5 gallon bucket. Also, Add ½ cup Stagman Peatmoss - (high in Fungi). I use worm castings for the compost and had great results on my lettuce.

[@testingtimes7924]

I really like the way that you are approaching this scientifically. So many you tubers say "this is the way to do this " without telling you how or why they came to that conclusion. That is probably because most of them no idea of what they are talking about and are just uploading content based upon recent trends. Once you come to the conclusion of what is best for you, you will already have shown us, by example, the step's that you took to come to that decision. You deserve more subscribers.

[@donbo8103]

My simple recipe is 2 cups compost per 5 gallons water- kelp meal , alfalfa meal and 1 tbsp of organic unsulfured molasses . I use 5 air stones in each 5 gallon bucket. Using a beasty air pump is key. Great video! Keep working at it!

[@Omegacrafton]

Yes dear it,s great , i learn a lot s of things from you , god bless you♥️♥️

[@lotti9576]

Thank you I found it very insightful. I have watched tons if Elaine and others but always find it very general and your videos got more into the nitty gritty for beginners.

[@jonathanfriedlander8563]

Thanks a really good practical demo !

[@HippocratesGarden]

Always interesting to find others trying to learn this. I did Dr Ingham's Soil Food Web course and got a good Omax scope and extra kit. That was back in 2019 and haven't been able to really practice it much if any. Plus the course materials are only available for one year. all I have left is what I printed off (which was quite a bit). Now I just started Matt Power's Regenerative Soil Microscopy course, and had to get a whole new scope, and more expensive one since he uses one additional technique, which requires a piece not available for the Omax. I hope it's a good course, and I actually learn and put it to use. Have spent way too much money to just have gadgets laying around. Cheers from the U.S.

[@lindaangledal6330]

Thank you. Love to know more 🌸🙏🏽

[@zyz8109]

Hi from France! Thank you for sharing these infos!

[@judymckerrow6720]

Truly fascinating. Thank you Sarah 🍁🍂🍁🦃💚🙃

[@jamesbarrett2308]

Love your video I am on the same jorney have a old microscope love yours just done my first brew not as Good as I hoped like you its a learning curve but wonderful to work the way nature intended keep it up

[@randalmoroski1184]

Lovely simply lovely!

[@carolexo7269]

Thank you so much for doing you 'tea' experiments under the microscope. I've become quite jaded over people making compost teas, and they don't have a clue what they are talking about. How can they know what is in the tea if they don't do their research. Lazy. Thanks again!

[@spex357]

I have a list in my head of stuff I've never had, but have no idea why not. More than one has the word scope attached. Tools open up other worlds, and we'd be poorer without them.

[@scottstockle1andonly]

Nice work!

[@chriseverest4380]

Very impressed - love the science (although I'm not saying I understand it all). I wish you were growing something I am. Have you got Comfrey? Good luck hunting protozoans - slightly confused by the different results of food or no food, oxygen or no oxygen, heat or no heat... not got room in my tiny garden/terraced house to really experiment so I'll let you do it all. Great videos!❤

[@monikaleon5968]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing!

[@MrTresAllen]

Great video!

[@christiner.nelson3543]

Great info, keep going!

[@paulbraga4460]

great to find this place. what is the standard you judge your compost or compost by? Elaine Ingham's work? mygreathanks and blessings

[@patrycjamalinowska2296]

I think to be able to increase the number of protozoa, your compost should be a bit better. Or could you extract a couple more bags to catch more amebae and flagellates? I would be interested to know your microscope specs- I am just about to buy one :)

[@craigharby5050]

thank you! i'm falling down the worm hole over here on the edge of the lake district... this will be my 5th year growing flowers... I need a microscope.

[@Redabee]

I use a venturi injection system in-line with my automated watering system and I have always wondered how much damage is caused from treated city water to the compost tea by the time it reaches the plants. Is it even worth brewing tea in a drum of water that sat a few days to then have it blended with city water?

[@ARCleasby]

hi im looking into regenerative agriculture on a field scale applying compost extracts, but need a suitable microscope to check viability, have you any advise on best type and quality to get? thanks Tony

[@yinhe9914]

It seems to me GT vision Microscope is expensive. Is it possible we use some cheap one to replace it? What is the basic level a worm farm needs? 400X? any other functions?

[@cu0ngpitt]

are you accounting for temperature when choosing the length of time for the brew? 24 hours is a baseline dependent on ambient room temp. if it's much hotter then the microbiology will multiply much faster, if it's colder then reproduction will be much slower. brewing time can be as little as 6 hours if it's extremely hot out.

[@keithbarnstead7673]

What kind of microscope and camera are you using? I’m ready to go from a used kids one😂😂 to a real one this summer.

[@Hirouche]

Thank for sharing

[@trudymautz4388]

I assume that two days is all you really need to do your tea? I have done it in the past for weeks. I wonder what kind of crazy stuff I must have been spreading in my garden. lol

[@4547david]

Loving your enthusiasm for improving your soil biology, it is definitely the way to go. Have you read the book 'Teaming with microbes', it might be of interest to you. Also, check out Chris Trump's youtube channel on Korean natural farming and Jadam too.

[@anitaelwell8434]

I have a microscope from my days of homeschooling my children. What magnification is needed to see the fungi or bacteria? Thanks! I’m enjoying your videos!

[@garymckenzie7342]

Sarah, when you buy your new upgraded microscope will you, please, provide a link to it? I am interested in buying a microscope and hope to learn from your experience.

[@bloomandgray]

Hi Gary, the upgraded microscope was the one in this video! Here’s the link to the one I got: www.gtvision.co.uk/epages/es141397.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es141397/Products/0125&Locale=en_GB Neil at GT vision was really helpful in helping me to find the right one for my needs.

[@thenotoriousfig]

@@bloomandgray can you post the link again? it's broken thx

[@JoshHeyneke]

Have you tried brewing some tea without the air pump? I believe the traditional approach is to brew for an extended period of time (7 - 14 days) and simply stir the mix once a day. I am a bit skeptical of the bubbling - I think too much oxygen could be part of the problem. Also, it would be interesting to see the difference between a pure worm tea, and a regular compost tea. The worm castings should have less undigested organic matter in it than the compost which might change the result considerably.

[@marthaduffy8386]

So interesting! Thanks 😊

[@indee6190]

Awesome analysis! I think if you brew for 36-48 hours you evoke a more fungal-dominant tea hence why the bacterial population decreased :)

[@katherinewest9666]

How do you make your compost rea? I want to try and join you on this

[@lmaldonadoperez]

Hello a big hug from Puerto Rico ( caribbean ) Do you adding molasses?

[@cowbosskristy]

Love it!! So interesting. I’m so happy you are sharing this journey. My microscope will be here tomorrow, I’m so new to regenerative. I do have a question about the fungi spores, are the good ones dark too like the good fungi? The light or clear ones are bad right?. Also when you brew, does the temperature matter?

[@janiethomson616]

loved this video Sarah. I am keen to try compost teas on my raised beds. since I dont have the ability to see what's going on microscopically your guidance is both fascinating and helpful. do you think that bought worm castings would make a good compost tea?

[@bloomandgray]

I presume they would, as long as you can presume they are biologically active and haven’t been sitting in storage for months on end. There’s a couple of good living compost companies out there who sell small amounts of ‘innoculation grade’ compost which usually comes with biological testing results. Are you in the Uk?

[@janiethomson616]

@@bloomandgray yes Im inscotland. I could certainly do that. I am making my own compost in a hot bin ATM but I fear it will likely go anaerobic before I use it.

[@russellsmith8609]

Hello, I am thinking that when you take your sample compost to put in the brew bag you should take the soil temperature. Then try to keep your brewing tea at the same temperature. It looks like you have all the part you need for this to work. Just a pesky little detail is missing, cheers.

[@bloomandgray]

I did actually put a heater in the compost tea in the last brew but didn’t mention it in the video. It was set at 20 degrees as recommended but it maybe would be better at soil temp to reduce shock on application.

[@IowaKeith]

I forget where I read it at, but when making compost tea, it's best to be sprayed on the soil. If you want to make a folier spray, it's best to make the tea from the leaves of local plants. That way you are using the bacteria that meant for plant leaves.

[@maddydog1234]

Do you have a microscope recommendation?

[@zebiklawi-hf1dr]

do you also have a video of your wormcompost under the micro???

[@thedealer799]

How many drops per slide? How many slides per analysis? I've noticed my thermo pile has less protozoa my woodchip pile has more.

[@Not_So_Weird_in_Austin]

Thanks I am using JADAM and Korean Natural Farming growing microbes and also compost. Few publish what's in your compost tea let alone do any soil analysis. I would publish the failure and successes. I have a 1350 gph air pump use hoses with holes rather than air stones and also installed irrigation valves to regulate air flow. Cold water temperature will affect reproduction I got 5 gallon low cost aquarium heaters. I think each brew needs to be it's own experiment noting the variables and results. I suspect getting dormant microbes in your foliar spray delievers the beneficial microbes you are looking for.

[@samanthareeves5690]

Really interesting stuff. 👌

[@bloomandgray]

Glad you found it interesting! Thanks 😊

[@tunerhead24]

What are your temps?

[@BillsCountrysideAdventures]

Hi Sarah, I've started a seaweed tea, well by accident. It bloody stinks but know its going to be so good for my soil. You inspired me to look at it under the microscope. I might do a video on it too.

[@bloomandgray]

Is this an anaerobic tea like jadam liquid fertiliser?

[@BillsCountrysideAdventures]

@@bloomandgray I'm not totally sure you got me there. Be fun to see though :)

[@stevemac8436]

Try charcoal for odor control.

[@dwang79]

maybe try a 3 bag set up. i add compost tea and insect frass at 12 24 and 36 hours

[@waynepruett2492]

I limit my brewing time to 24 to 30 hours. I am afraid of eliminating all the oxygen if I brew longer. I appreciate your videos. Thanks for sharing. I live in Tennessee, USA,

[@garymckenzie7342]

Are your brewing a compost tea or are you making an extract? It you are brewing with a bubbler I don't understand why you are concerned about eliminating oxygen in your brew.

[@alphaomega4893]

Would rainwater be better to use? No Chlorine to fizz off.

[@chrissuperhero2291]

Where did your dung come from? Could the cows have eaten something that killed protozoans eg Roundup or antibiotics? Have you got any puddles of rainwater you could put some homemade compost from your flowers unit or even just soil and you should be able to see loads of protozoans swimming around - if you wave it in a glass for 8 hours plus to ensure they are not dormant. Could you have used anything like pesticides that would have killed them? I like to use glass or ceramic containers as plastic has harmful chemicals in it that leach out.

[@judymckerrow6720]

You said something about getting the chlorine out of the water? I’m assuming that your on city water then? Is the city adding anything else beside chlorine to the water? Could you use rain water in your experiments? Just a thought about using rain water. 🍁🍂🍁🦃💚🙃

[@bloomandgray]

All water companies add chlorine to stop bacteria growing in our water supply. You can also use rain water but I didn’t have any at the time!

[@judymckerrow6720]

@@bloomandgray we have our own well so we get our water straight from the ground.🍁🍂🍁🦃💚🙃

[@carola2]

Cities may add lime to handle odor in the retaining pond. Do we actually know that the remove all the bad stuff before we drink it? Don't answer that.

[@hawperify]

@@bloomandgray Does your water contain chloramine? It's different than chlorine, being a heavier molecule it won't off gas and if present you must neutralize it with something like humic acid.

[@yd8104]

Do you know what are the minimum numbers you should find per field of view (meaning per slide, then gram of soil) to be on track for bacteria, protozoa, fungi and nematodes? Because you don't seem very happy with your amiba numbers (which are protozoa) and i'm not sure it's not okay.

[@tazalmochakis9369]

Beautiful eyes... I can't focus on the information

[@aagnieszka881]

I would love to have my soil and compost tested! The experiments you do just show that until you test anything you use it’s just waste of time.

[@jojopornebo188]

You cannot atomize the liquid tea when applying because you will be killing the bacteria, if not filtering it in the application nozzle. Also, the magnification you showed is still far out of zoom as it is hard to ID what object you are looking at.

[@stephenbrown9998]

Try sugar

[@mattde4606]

It's interesting that you do take the further steps to look under the microscope on the teas. The problem though still stands, is that every soil around the globe is already supporting the maximum amount of live possible based on the food availability in the soil, as well as the environment of the soil. So if you brew up a bunch of life (general or specific) in a tea, and apply it to a soil. Since you've not added a continual food source to that additional soil life to further expand on, all that life will either die off, go into a stasis, and/or fight for "space" in the existing soil. Even Ingham states that she would always use compost directly in a garden before even thinking about brewing up a tea.

[@stevemac8436]

Try 2 tablespoons of Unsulfered Blackstrap Molasses to a gallon, if doesn't seem to work, 2 tablespoons per quart.

[@stevemac8436]

Try putting charcoal in it for odor control.

[@bloomandgray]

I think that would cause my brew to go anaerobic, too much sugar causing a huge growth spurt in bacteria and using up all the oxygen and nutrients. I was advised if I was going to put any sugary feed in, just the tiniest amount of any at all. But I suppose it’s worth a try to see what happens.

[@stevemac8436]

Have you heard about your plain white flour? I'm making my own biochar in 5 gallon buckets. I've put the flour and molasses in it to speed up the absorbing into the charcoal. Thanks for answering 🙂

[@yvonneredgrave4443]

What were the other ingredients you added to the compost tea apart from the actual compost?

[@bloomandgray]

In the first couple of brews I added humic acid (to dechlorinate), a v. Small amount of fish hydrolysate and kelp extract. In the last brew that I documented in the video I didn’t add anything as explained in the vid 😁

[@yvonneredgrave4443]

@@bloomandgray thanks. So having seen the video you seemed to get best results adding nothing so do you think you’ll carry on that way ?

[@connectingdots3574]

It depends on the temp of the brew as to when it will, and it will, go anerobic. Chart is online somewhere.

[@connectingdots3574]

I can absolutely guarantee the air stone will be better than the tube

[@rogerd0]

You can't clean the biofilm out of the stone.