skip to main content

Soil, Compost & Mulch

Adding alfalfa tea to the compost pile?

16 years ago

Silly question perhaps, but what if I make more tea than I can use and I put the extra in the compost bin undiluted? What would that do for the compost pile? It would add microbes, nitrogen? It certainly wouldn't hurt the compost bin? What if I intentionally make extra tea for the compost bin? I can make 5 gallons of alfalfa tea for probably 25 cents. Does it do anything for my compost pile? Does it do anything more or less than it would do if I just directly add alfalfa pellets to the compost pile?

I guess the goal here is to make more compost, faster with little cost. My compost pile consists of lots of shredded paper, lots of urine, and kitchen/garden waste.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

blutranes
16 years ago
Gbig2,

Usually alfalfa is used in the compost pile as an emergency addition during the winter months when there is a shortage of greens to be had. From what you have stated you are having a shortage of browns (carbon), not greens (nitrogen). With the proper balance of both there is no need to add anything to the pile except moisture or air. IMO, the alfalfa would be better used on plants, not the compost pile.

Contrary to popular opinion, paper is a poor substitute for leaves in the pile IMO. Paper has no nutritional value for plants, however as a weed suppressor they have great value, again IMO. I am not saying to not add paper to the pile, what I am saying is that I donÂt add paper to any of my piles. I put forth great effort in the fall and winter to collect all the leaves I can get my hands on when they are in abundance. I have great empathy for those who live in areas where leaves are hard to come by, yet the extra effort to acquire a "leaf load" is well worth the effort when the time to spread compost comes around.

Alfalfa, in any form will make the smoke come out of a compost pile, no doubt about that. However, the use of alfalfa tea or pellets/meal directly in the garden is of greater benefit IMO. The patience needed to create good quality compost cannot be circumvented with super hot additives or quick fix alternatives. The proper mixture of materials, adequate moisture, air, and time will forever get the composting job done. Again, IMO the reward for taking the long road outweighs all those so-called "shortcuts". There is no "right or wrong" way to make compost, just the way we make compost. In the end, the best way to make compost is the way that makes you happy with the resultsÂ

Blutranes
gbig2
Original Author
16 years ago
ok, thanks. Good info. Yes, leaves are in short supply around here. I guess I can ask friends for their leaves but right now paper is my best source of carbon. Do you shred your leaves before composting and if so, what do you use to shred them?
Related Discussions
My first stinkin' experience with Alfalfa tea!
Q
Comments (11)
Well no, flowergirl, it doesn't attract rabbits as far as I know. You want the horse kind of pellets, not the rabbit kind that has too much salt for roses. Think they use it for old horses that can no longer chew well, so I've been waiting for some old toothless horses to show up in my yard. I just throw some pellets around the drip line and let the rain take care of them. I'm not making, smelling nor hauling stinky tea. There are rabbits in the woods behind my house, but they haven't shown any interest, and there isn't a toothless horse in sight.
...See More
Can organic (compost & compost tea) really change my soil?
Q
Comments (18)
Hi, I am somewhat dissapointed today,,,,, I got my compost delivered and generally the quality seems fine. Inside of the 10 tons pile its really warm. When I showel it into my wheelbarrow itÂ´s steaming. It smells as well "good". BUT,,,,,,, I have a problem with bringig it to my lawn,,,,,, there is pieces of roots, wood, bark in the compost which are apparentely still worked by bacteria and fungi. Those pieces are warm as well and feel soft. But if I bring this on my lawn , the wood-pieces will stay on top of the turf and only smallest pieces sink onto the soil. Even if I brush it in different directions, back and forward..... What can I do? Leave the compost on a pile until the wood decomposes further ? Or "filter" the bigger pieces from the smaller ones (lots of work probably). My father in law opts for anyhow throwing the compost to the lawn,,,,,,,,, but its not him that is going to ruin his new lawn-mower cutting bark, wood and roots with the next lawnmowing.... Any info welcome,,,, Thanks & a nice weekend,,,,,
...See More
Adding composted manure to a compost pile
Q
Comments (8)
Thanks, everyone! Barb, I've collected numerous bags from Starbuck's so far but they don't save it regularly... they throw it all away!!! What a travesty! I did a little research and dbm2009 is right that adding already composted material will provide more of the micro-organisms that break stuff down. tiffy_z5_6_can, I'm in Atlanta... Unfortunately, I'm about four hours to the beach or else I'd be all over the seaweed!!! I did, however, find a horse rescue farm nearby that gives away manure for free!!!! Heading there tomorrow to pick up a few bags of it. My wife is thrilled!!!
...See More
Compost and compost tea
Q
Comments (6)
I'm a lazy composter. I have two bins in the garden and will probably do a third. I fill one all winter, mostly with kitchen stuff, top it off with grass, newspaper and whatever else in the spring. Water it well all summer and then let it sit for another year. I don't turn it, that would be too much work. Just water it the following summer and then that fall take the bottom stuff. Usually about 3/4. Most of it is broken down. I should probably layer more but went it is -30 out who wants too. The plants don't seem to mind. Cheryl
...See More
blutranes
16 years ago
"Do you shred your leaves before composting and if so, what do you use to shred them?"

Oh yes, shredding is the best way to treat leaves (I use mainly oak, maple, and pecan leaves) IMO. I use the lawnmower to run over the leaves a couple of times then mix them with my green material before building a pile. Once the pile has been turned twice I use the "Gonefishin" technique and run the tiller through the pile; this action makes for some mighty fine compost with no large lumps (I use a lot of manures) in the finished compost...

Blutranes

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)

By Matt Kilburn

Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz TV: Make a Worm Bin for Rich Soil and Happy Plants

By Annie Thornton

A worm-powered compost bin that can fit under a sink turns food scraps into a powerful amendment for your garden. Here’s how to make one

HOUSEKEEPING 10 Chores You Can Whip Through During Commercials

By Becky Harris

Use ad time for getting tasks done, and it’s like fast-forwarding your house into cleanliness

FALL GARDENING 5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden

By Therese Ciesinski

Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees

MOST POPULAR 10 Strategies for Keeping Surfaces Clutter-Free

By Laura Gaskill

The universe wants your coffee table to become a clutter magnet — but you can fight back

MOST POPULAR 33 Magic Household Cleaning Tips

By Pauline Warlet

Houzzers from around the world share their tips for transforming housework into child’s play

ORGANIZING 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Kitchen

By Laura Gaskill

Our weeklong plan will help you get your kitchen spick-and-span from top to bottom

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

FALL AND THANKSGIVING Simple Pleasures: Celebrate Fall With These Special Traditions

By Laura Gaskill

Enjoy a meaningful autumn with seasonal ideas for decorating, cooking and entertaining

LIFE How to Simplify Life This Summer

By Laura Gaskill

Kick off your shoes, roll up the rugs and try a few more of these ideas for easier living

Sponsored

The Creative Kitchen Company

47 Reviews

Franklin County's Kitchen Remodeling and Refacing Professional

More Discussions

planting along side with decomposting kitchen scraps

9

food for earthwroms?

1

Best soil testing labs?

2

It's so awkward to bring this up, apropos of nothing,

16

growing grass after pine trees removed

3