I've been doing something similar to jonlionfish. I used big plastic garbage pails and drilled 1 1/2" holes down the side. The lid is a turn type lid (which I can't find any more darn it). I put the garbage pails up on old pallets so they have no ground contact (because I always got a mess of maple roots growing into it). The only thing I add to the garbage pails are uncooked kitchen scraps (and in the fall old annuals). After I've added a bunch of scraps I sprinkle a little layer of chopped up leaves on top. If I get energetic I'll roll the garbage pail once or twice, but usually not. By mid summer my pail is getting full so I sieve it into a few of those gigantic black plastic pots that trees come in and sort of cover it with a somewhat smaller plastic pot. I put the rough stuff back in the garbage pail. When the end of August/September rolls around I've got beautiful compost with almost no work. I live in Muskoka where there are bears and racoons, but for some reason have never had a problem with them getting into my compost. I usually get about 10 x3/4 full bags of compost in a year from a family of 2. The problem now is trying to find something to store my compost in, since all the bags decompose. I've found the Contractor bags really good for this.

Interesting process. I'll standby for the last video when it becomes available. It will be interesting to see if you change your process/procedures after processing numerous batches.

A level of organic matter in soil of about 6 to 8 percent is optimal. To get to that level requires a lot of organic material, compost is one source. How much, if any, organic matter is in that soil now? Too much organic matter in soil can be detrimental rather than helpful because the soil then could retain too much moisture which will cause more problems. Perhaps these simple soil tests may be of some help. 1) Soil test for organic material. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains’ too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell, to a point. Too much organic matter can be bad as well. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. kimmq is kimmsr

Tricky, I see you met Dan. Every village has one. I guess we can refer to the internet as a "bioreactor", no? <That happens in the soil. But yes, "aerobic" tea certainly increases the bacterial population. Whether that actually does anything for plants is what this discussion is about.> Perhaps you need to start your own discussion then afaik the OP asked <Is there any other way of making compost tea without compost? lol Can I use garden soil? I have a raised bed in which compost was added back in fall and mulched with leaves. The soil is active with plenty of earthworms. Would it work?> Making Aerobic Compost Tea without Compost I understand that discussions can and do evolve but I'm seeing a pattern where Dan likes to change the topic to something else then argue rather than discuss. As if there is only one way to do things. IF there is Gardening or Compost Tea are not either one and only ways. The way I see Gardening, The way I see Compost Tea, The way I see Life, is IF you choose not to use it - don't - that doesn't mean everyone has to not use it. Just as no one is forcing anyone to use it. This applies so much to Gardening, Compost Tea, or Life, James Bay - Let It Go