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

Hi Kristi! I think you are referring to compost leachate. There are mixed reports on whether to use it or not, but I think the guidelines are if it's brown and doesn't smell, it's ok to use. I've used it a number of times, diluted in a bucket and never had a problem with it but didn't notice much effect. Don't know. Some leachates are smelly and that indicates anaerobic bacteria which aren't good for plants. Mine is usually brown and smells fresh, like the compost. Compost tea doesn't require a lot to make. You need a large container (5gal bucket is ok, but if you have larger you'll get more), a porous sock-like thing to hold the compost which will be dipped in the water, a couple of aquarium aerators with a rock attached to them to make them sink to the bottom of the bucket. I usually do add a little molasses because it feeds the bacteria and organisms and makes them grow faster. In about 36-48 hours (in hot weather), I get a nice froth at the top and that's how I know it's ready. Then I dilute and use it on everything. I don't take the time to do it very often, but I'm always glad when I do. There are a million ways to make aerated compost tea but all you really need is finished compost and water. Anna Here is a link that might be useful: compost leachate

Probably better to just use the results of your previous composting to amend the soil. Not really all that important to make compost tea except if you have a specific use, like a weak diluted fertilizer for well established seedlings or something else - I've made lots of compost for years and never needed a compost tea. I've used some barrel-type composters, but personally I prefer my method of cutting 10-foot lengths of a cheap 2"X4"X4' welded wire fencing to form free-standing rings. I cut halfway between the vertical wires to leave tabs, bend 3 or 4 into hooks to hold the ring together, A 50' roll makes five bins. I typically have three bins working at different stages, and several more filled with ground up leaves(brown dry materials) that I use as cover when I bring out my compost bucket or have other "greens." I build my current pile in layers whenever I have greens, layering it with browns. Once I get to the top of a bin, I can start another - layer of browns, then greens, etc. The one that filled up, I can remove the fence ring, set it next to the pile, then turn the pile back into the ring, adding water to moisten as necessary. I usually have one pile finished, or about finished, when I need it, one pile turned and working, and another pile being built over several months while using greens from the kitchen. If I get a bounty of grass clippings(I don't pick them up in my yard) or other greens, I may generate a pile a little quicker. The pile that's working can be made to process quicker by turning and moistening a few extra times, but I'm not usually that impatient. Technically, compost happens all on its own given enough time!

Mike, much of the nutritional value comes from the microorganisms growing on the organic material. The tea making process washes away many of those microbes, but not all. If you throw that material back into an active worm bin, I'm sure the microbes will quickly grow and the worms will be attracted to ingest the particles again. Andrew