From the ATTRA website: "Compost windrow leachateÂthe dark-colored solution that leaches out of the bottom of the compost pileÂmost likely will be rich in soluble nutrients; but, in the early stage of composting it may also contain pathogens. It would be viewed as a pollution source if allowed to run off-site. Compost leachate needs further bioremediation and is not suitable or recommended as a foliar spray." And too, since this liquid is generated from possible anaerobic raw compost, the thought of spraying/pouring this liquid on my plants is not appealing to this member. I suppose one will have to decide for themselves weather this practice is worth the risk or not Blutranes Here is a link that might be useful: Notes On Compost Tea

All compost piles go cool, and more quickly than you might think, esp in the small home pile. With the correct amount of ingredients, moisture and air, the temperature goes up sharply, and then drops down more gradually. If you introduce more air into the pile by turning it again after it cools down, it will heat up again. When you turn it and it doesn't heat up again, it's 'finished'. There is a graph in the link below that shows how transient that heat-up is. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Compost heat graph

I would not try it in the tea unless you had some way of determining its affect on the microbes. If it a diet soda then it has chemical sweeteners in it. I would not put that in my tea - period. I don't know what effect, if an, the CO2 would have on the tea. I don't think it would have any appreciable impact on the compost - as long as the pile is not drenched in it. The tea on the other hand is more fragile and suseptible to minor changes in its environment. In a decent sized compost pile the volume of coke to the rest of the pile is really small. However, in a 5 gal bucket I think the volume ratio could be more of a factor. In the end I think the old addage for a compost pile or tea holds true: if it did not come from the earth it should not go into the compost pile (or tea). Just my way of thinking about it. tom

The optimal level of soil organic matter ranges from 5 to 8 percent, so at 7.4 you have a good level and not one I would start thinking I needed to stop adding OM yet. Compost teas can help if the soil is not good and healthy and the plants need a boost, but if the soil is good and healthy and the plants are growing strong and healthy spending your time and energy making compost tea is unnecessary.