Make compost tea

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No, unfortunately compost tea is not the kind of aromatic beverage you can drink. Still, the plants in your garden will certainly be gulping it down. Acting as a liquid fertilizer, compost teas are liquid versions of the solid compost material, the Rodale Institute states. They contain soluble plant nutrients and a complex community of beneficial microorganisms. You’ll want to decide what compost tea your garden calls for — either aerated or non-aerated compost tea, with the latter being the more common option.

Before you gather all the materials needed to brew your compost tea, be mindful that the key to the best product will weigh on the quality of the compost (via SFGate). Once you’re positive your compost has matured (SFGate also suggests that compost without any animal manure is optimal for avoiding soil-borne diseases), it’s time to get to work. The Rodale Institute further explains that for non-aerated compost tea (most commonly used), you’ll need a 6.5 gallon bucket with a lid, 5 gallons of water, 2-4 cups of mature compost, a mesh sieve that is 1/2" or smaller, and a long-handled instrument for stirring. For aerated compost tea, you’ll need some more extensive equipment such as an aquarium air pump.

Whatever tea you decide to make, you’ll be content knowing that you’re making your own natural liquid fertilizer.

For non-gardeners, add compost to your indoor potted plants

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If you don’t garden or have an outdoor space, your compost can also be used as a DIY potting mix for indoor plants. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency backs the idea of integrating compost into your own mixed soil creation to help spruce up your indoor or outdoor potted plants.

For the potted plants mix, the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests the following ingredients: soil, builder’s or coarse sand (for more air space to the mix), quality, nutrient-rich compost, pine bark, peat moss, coir, perlite (which helps with water drainage and could be used as a replacement for sand), and vermiculite (a lightweight mineral that improves soil aeration). The amounts of each will vary based on the kind of plant. For instance, as the UF/IFAS writes, for succulents, the DIY mix would require 2 parts soil; 1 part peat moss; 1 part perlite; 1 part coarse sand. Or for just a general soil-based mix, they recommend 1/3 compost; 1/3 topsoil; 1/3 sand with vermiculite or perlite as a substitute for sand. 

What Can You Actually Do With Compost?

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As our world continues to fight climate change, more and more people are eager to find ways to practice sustainability to make Earth a better place for all. According to a 2020 Pew Research Center study, “two-thirds of U.S. adults say the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of global climate change.” So people are trying to watch their own footprint. However, it can become a bit overwhelming practicing environmentally friendly efforts such as eating plant-based, avoiding fast fashion, and recycling. 

Chances are high that you have probably seen the word “composting” pop up at least once if you’ve searched for answers to questions about things like how to make your morning routine more eco-friendly online. So, what is compost? Merriam-Webster defines it as “a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.” When you compost, you “convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost.” Depending on where you live, you can either compost indoors or outdoors. Gardens That Matter suggest multiple mediums for composting based on your interest and environment, but generally, there are three types of composting: aerobic, anaerobic, and vermicomposting.

Here’s how you can reward Mother Nature and make the most out of your compost.

Chances are high that you have probably seen the word “composting” pop up at least once if you’ve searched for answers to questions about things like how to make your morning routine more eco-friendly online. So, what is compost? Merriam-Webster defines it as “a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.” When you compost, you “convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost.” Depending on where you live, you can either compost indoors or outdoors. Gardens That Matter suggest multiple mediums for composting based on your interest and environment, but generally, there are three types of composting: aerobic, anaerobic, and vermicomposting.

Here’s how you can reward Mother Nature and make the most out of your compost.

Compost is garden soil’s best friend

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If you feel that your compost has matured, it can take four weeks to 12 months to fully decompose (via Eartheasy), one of the most popular uses for those who enjoy gardening is to make mulch. According to One Green Planet, using compost as mulch adds nutrients and protects soil from potentially harmful weather conditions like water or wind.

To give your plants some extra love with composted mulch, Eartheasy recommends using a 3 to 6 inch-layer. Spread it until even, and watch your garden sprout happily as you celebrate giving extra love to your organic creations.

Make compost tea

Lou Wagstaffe/Shutterstock

No, unfortunately compost tea is not the kind of aromatic beverage you can drink. Still, the plants in your garden will certainly be gulping it down. Acting as a liquid fertilizer, compost teas are liquid versions of the solid compost material, the Rodale Institute states. They contain soluble plant nutrients and a complex community of beneficial microorganisms. You’ll want to decide what compost tea your garden calls for — either aerated or non-aerated compost tea, with the latter being the more common option.

Before you gather all the materials needed to brew your compost tea, be mindful that the key to the best product will weigh on the quality of the compost (via SFGate). Once you’re positive your compost has matured (SFGate also suggests that compost without any animal manure is optimal for avoiding soil-borne diseases), it’s time to get to work. The Rodale Institute further explains that for non-aerated compost tea (most commonly used), you’ll need a 6.5 gallon bucket with a lid, 5 gallons of water, 2-4 cups of mature compost, a mesh sieve that is 1/2" or smaller, and a long-handled instrument for stirring. For aerated compost tea, you’ll need some more extensive equipment such as an aquarium air pump.

Whatever tea you decide to make, you’ll be content knowing that you’re making your own natural liquid fertilizer.

Before you gather all the materials needed to brew your compost tea, be mindful that the key to the best product will weigh on the quality of the compost (via SFGate). Once you’re positive your compost has matured (SFGate also suggests that compost without any animal manure is optimal for avoiding soil-borne diseases), it’s time to get to work. The Rodale Institute further explains that for non-aerated compost tea (most commonly used), you’ll need a 6.5 gallon bucket with a lid, 5 gallons of water, 2-4 cups of mature compost, a mesh sieve that is 1/2" or smaller, and a long-handled instrument for stirring. For aerated compost tea, you’ll need some more extensive equipment such as an aquarium air pump.

Whatever tea you decide to make, you’ll be content knowing that you’re making your own natural liquid fertilizer.

For non-gardeners, add compost to your indoor potted plants

Shyntartanya/Shutterstock

If you don’t garden or have an outdoor space, your compost can also be used as a DIY potting mix for indoor plants. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency backs the idea of integrating compost into your own mixed soil creation to help spruce up your indoor or outdoor potted plants.

For the potted plants mix, the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests the following ingredients: soil, builder’s or coarse sand (for more air space to the mix), quality, nutrient-rich compost, pine bark, peat moss, coir, perlite (which helps with water drainage and could be used as a replacement for sand), and vermiculite (a lightweight mineral that improves soil aeration). The amounts of each will vary based on the kind of plant. For instance, as the UF/IFAS writes, for succulents, the DIY mix would require 2 parts soil; 1 part peat moss; 1 part perlite; 1 part coarse sand. Or for just a general soil-based mix, they recommend 1/3 compost; 1/3 topsoil; 1/3 sand with vermiculite or perlite as a substitute for sand. 

For the potted plants mix, the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests the following ingredients: soil, builder’s or coarse sand (for more air space to the mix), quality, nutrient-rich compost, pine bark, peat moss, coir, perlite (which helps with water drainage and could be used as a replacement for sand), and vermiculite (a lightweight mineral that improves soil aeration). The amounts of each will vary based on the kind of plant.

For instance, as the UF/IFAS writes, for succulents, the DIY mix would require 2 parts soil; 1 part peat moss; 1 part perlite; 1 part coarse sand. Or for just a general soil-based mix, they recommend 1/3 compost; 1/3 topsoil; 1/3 sand with vermiculite or perlite as a substitute for sand. 

Sign up for a curbside compost service

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Similarly, companies like TerraCycle sell Zero Waste Boxes where eco-friendly consumers can purchase a bin for their organic matter compost waste to have it both collected and shipped for further recycling.

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No matter what you decide to do with your compost, you’ll help benefit not only the environment, but the economy, plants and gardens, and your community (via Pela). Talk about a win, win, win, and win situation!