If you would like a nice garden, you'll need a bucket of water and some garbage. That simple recipe is all you need to grow healthy, beautiful plants all summer long. But before you start floating a tin can in a some water, you need to know that there is a catch. The trick to this recipe is that you have to compost your garbage first. Compost and water are the only ingredients you need to create a powerful plant supplement known as compost tea.
Compost in the garden will improve your soil which in turn will reward you with strong plants that are better able to fend off droughts and diseases. Compost improves soil structure and drainage. It can also be used as a fertilizer or a mulch and it enhances the soil's ability to absorb water.
Compost tea provides the same benefits to a plant as compost but it doesn't stop there. Not only can compost tea can applied to the soil around plants like regular compost, but it can also be sprayed on the leaves. When sprayed directly on the leaves, it increases the amount of nutrients available to the plant and helps fight foliar diseases. It will even increase the nutritional value and improve the taste of vegetables.
There are many different ways to make compost tea but most recipes can be summarized by saying, if you steep compost in water you get compost tea.
Using rain water is the best way to make compost tea but you can get by with tap water if rain is scarce. Tap water usually contains enough chlorine in it to kill off all of the beneficial bacteria so it's best to let it sit for a few hours before using it.
The quickest and easiest way to make compost tea is with an old sock filled with compost. Throw it in a bucket and let it sit for a day and you've just made compost tea. Sure there are more complicated ways to make the tea more effective such as using air stones or fish tank bubblers to feed the mixture enough oxygen but the old sock in a bucket method works just fine. Some people add molasses to the mix and there are many other secret home recipes. But you'll do fine by using a sock filled with compost and a bucket of water. And actually the sock is optional if you have no plans on using a sprayer.
When applying compost tea with a sprayer you have to worry about clogs. Attach some cheese cloth or a piece of panty hose to the sprayer's intake with some rubber bands and you should be fine.
If you need more than a few buckets of tea, then an old fish tank or a plastic storage bin would make a great container for brewing compost tea.
After you've brewed a few batches and are happy with the results why not try aerated compost tea? You'll need to feed your mixture a constant supply of oxygen so a bubbler or air stones will be required. You need to keep it aerated so it doesn't grow any harmful pathogens. Some popular ingredients to add to bubbling compost tea are alfalfa, fish emulsion, powdered seaweed, corn meal, green sand and more. Don't use manure. Manure tea shouldn't be used as a foliar spray especially if you're growing vegetables and who wants manure floating around in their bucket anyway.
Ask a weekend gardener about compost and chances are they'll tell you it's powerful stuff with a lot of uses. But ask a serious gardener about compost and they'll probably tell you that it's the most important ingredient there is when making compost tea.
What are Herbal Teas? Also known as ptisans and tisanes, herbal teas are either fresh concoctions or packed tea bags produced from the extracted liquids of certain plants. Flowers and leaves are boiled in water. Roots and seeds can either be processed similarly or allowed to simmer on a stove. Herbal teas can also be sweetened if so desired.
Types of Herbal Teas
Persimmon - This herbal tea is often used as a health drink and a supplement of vitamin C. It is not however a good choice for drinkers who are intending to diet as well.
Raspberry - This is a popular flavor for teas and its commercialized version is sold in various establishments. Raspberry herbal tea is said to help in alleviating diarrhea.
Birch - There are several varieties of this particular herb, although all can be consumed safely. Birch herbal tea is usually drunk hot and may aid people suffering from headaches and rheumatic problems. It may also help in treating fever and reduce the painful symptoms of kidney problems. Lastly, birch herbal tea can be used for oral hygiene.
Blueberry - A popular ingredient in cakes, this herb can also be used for brewing tea although it possesses a slightly bitter taste. It's said to help people with kidney problems as well.
Sassafras - Drink this only for enjoyment. Although many people claim that it has blood-thinning properties and can help cure bronchitis, consult a doctor first before consuming it for medicinal purposes.
Tips on How to Brew Your Own Herbal Tea
Using Flowers and Leaves - Place the flowers or leaves inside a heated tea pot or jar then slowly pour boiling water. Replace the lid of the pot or jar to keep the mixture from evaporating and leave it untouched for fifteen minutes. Afterwards, uncover the container then strain. Each cup of water would require either 3 tsp. of freshly brewed herbs or 1 tsp. of dried herbs.
Using Seeds, Roots, or Stems - Cut roots and stems into tiny pieces and then grain them into powdery bits. Take 1 ounce of the concoction and pour it into a pot of water (approximately containing a pint) before boiling. Allow ten to twenty minutes to pass before straining once more. Add sugar if necessary.
Possible Concerns about Herbal Tea Taking any herbal tea produced by any unlicensed manufacturer can lead to various complications. The following are possible dangers you might suffer from when consuming herbal tea that hasn't been declared safe by appropriate regulating bodies.
Containing Harmful Ingredients - There are several herbs that will increase rather than reduce the risks to your health. Comfrey, for instance, when consumed excessively can cause liver problems. Lobelia can be as addictive as smoking, while pineapple weed (and occasionally disguised as chamomile), may cause extreme reactions from individuals with certain allergies.
Misidentification of Herbs - In the above situation, there could be a deliberate attempt to mislead consumers about the efficacy and benefits of the company's herbal tea products. For homemade herbal tea however, an unintentional misidentification is when a problem arises. The comfrey, for instance, no matter how dangerous, is still comparatively safer than the foxglove, which is similar in appearance but infinitely more dangerous.
If you intend to brew your own herbal tea, make sure that you're using the right herbs and following instructions to the letter. Research about the properties of each ingredient to ensure that there's no possible harmful side effects.
Side Effects - Herbal tea can also have dangerous side effects when taken together with certain medications, vitamins, and food supplements. Thus, it's very important that you consult a doctor first before taking any herbal tea if you're already under medication.
Herbal tea may an ancient and long-standing custom for many, but this doesn't mean you can't partake of its benefits as well. Of course, research well and make sure that you're drinking a herbal tea product which has the seal of approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If it does, however, then all we've to say is "kanpai" to your health!
Both Anthony Tripodi & Lee Dobbins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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