Healing Our Soils, Compost & Compost Tea Part 11

Soils are the basis of all terrestrial life. A teaspoon of healthy soil contains close to a billion bacteria, many yards of fungi, and thousands of protozoa and nematodes. Through decades of poor management techniques such as ongoing tillage, chemical inputs, and compaction, soil has become degraded the world over. This results in a massive decline in fertility and structure, changes in salinity, loss of organic matter, erosion, and contamination. Composts and compost teas can bring life back to the soil through living organisms that help plants thrive. Learn to steward and regenerate the soil-food-web through the use of soil amendments, compost, and compost tea (for plants, not humans) with Troy Hinke, former Rodale farmer, and apprentice to Dr. Elaine Ingham. In this all-day workshop covering both knowledge and applied techniques, Troy will cover: an overview of soil microorganisms and their relationship to plants, roles of the main beneficial microorganisms in the soil food web, essence of compost and compost tea are microorganisms, cycling of nutrients and the interplay between soil microorganisms and plant nutrient availability, protective barrier on plant foliage and roots to shield against disease and pathogens, review of large and small scale composting and compost tea setup, pros and cons of thermal composting systems such as the Johnson-Su compost bioreactor, tips on successful vermicomposting, explore the difference between compost tea and compost extract, tour of a commercial tea brewer using Living Web Farms’ equipment, tips for brewing superior compost tea, design and structure of tea spraying programs for farms and gardens, tips for brewing teas to favor different microbes, making infusions, and using organic additives with teas and compost extracts, learn how to navigate the confusing world of shelf-stable microbe products. The aim of all of these topics is to get life in the soil and keep it there. Microbe-activated natural fertility is the safest and most natural way to rebuild life in our soils. Explore this fascinating world of soil microbiology and building life. In part 11, the compost section of the workshop has a Q & A session.

[@magesalmanac6424]

I am SO glad to find this channel. I’ve been working my way through the vids, a lot of helpful information here without all the bs showmanship of other KZbin channels. Thank you for keeping it real.

[@virginiab3781]

When will the Compost Tea part of the presentation be uploaded? Part 12 and beyond. Thanks.

[@jasontoolan3816]

My favorite one yet. The best answer he gave, I think was “ I don’t know” instead of speculation he choose, truth. Way to grow LWF. Not all popular eatable mushrooms are good for the garden. Wine Cap mushrooms have hooks that catch Beneficial Nematodes and absorb them. These Nematodes only reproduce yearly!

[@kicknadeadcat]

I only use shredded leaves in my worm bin. Once they are done with the scrapes they chew up the leaves. I’ve never trusted what is in paper and cardboard.

[@TarkMcCoy]

I've recently taken a second look at adding aloe to the soil, as it contains among other things natural latex. As a person with a latex allergy (not uncommon these days) I am concerned that this latex may transfer into the grown crop and affect sensitive consumers. Especially with smokable consumables.

[@presterjohn1697]

Aloe is also added to some premium composts / potting soils. The composted aloe retains water exceptionally well.

[@Noidfpv]

Love these videos. Thanks for posting.!😎👍

[@toastiesburned9929]

I wish I had seen this when I was first learning about compost.

[@jasontoolan3816]

Most Cardboard is made with mineral spirits made from Petroleum. Would that degrade enough in the compost proses or harm red worms?

[@krustysurfer]

How about pill bugs for the vermi/compost and what do they leave behind? Pill bugs love my compost...

[@jasontoolan3816]

Bug body’s and there excrements are highly beneficial for healthy bug and disease resistant plants. Pile on the pill bugs TD. There chitin rich exoskeletons help build strong plant cell walls.

[@krustysurfer]

@@jasontoolan3816 right on thanks for the knowledge 🤙 aloha

[@dwardodwardo643]

Everyone is into black flys now, in my experience and reading they are eating up my compost. Do you have an opinion?

[@jasontoolan3816]

Black soldier fly larva don’t eat wood, and have a bite. Unlike red worms, bacteria and fungus. Bug body’s and there excrements are highly beneficial for healthy, bug and disease resistant plants.

[@dwardodwardo643]

@@jasontoolan3816 Yes, and I hope there are benefits that outweigh the volume of nutrients they are removing. I have seen them listed as a nuisance to compost production. If I had a way to limit them I would.

[@jasontoolan3816]

Bugs and worms can’t survive inside working compost due to high temps. Could it be ur piles not hot or mixed with enough woody materials or to small? Even one inch inside my compost is hot Stuff. Black fly larva don’t eat finished compost.