I've been looking into making my own fertilizer with weeds and other garden scraps, and I've stumbled upon some confusing information about weed tea and compost tea. Both seem to start the same way: fill a 5-gallon bucket halfway with weeds and cover it with dechlorinated water. However, the instructions diverge significantly from there. For compost tea, I've read that aerobic decomposition is essential and that using molasses along with an aquarium pump is necessary. They also warn that if you're using anaerobic methods, you shouldn't let it steep for more than two weeks due to potential dangers. On the other hand, almost no aerobic decomposition method is mentioned in the weed tea articles, which suggest letting the bucket sit in the sun for at least three weeks. This leaves me puzzled about why there are such big differences in safety recommendations and steeping times. Additionally, I note that compost tea doesn't require dilution, while weed tea should be diluted at a 1:10 ratio. Am I missing some key context or detail here? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
2 Answers
Honestly, the idea that weed tea is a total myth is something I hear a lot, but I don't fully agree with it. We tried the anaerobic method for two weeks and saw our plants thrive! I think the nutrients in the weeds still end up in the water, so there's something beneficial happening there, even if it’s not confirmed by everyone.
I get the confusion! The key difference usually comes from the fermentation process. Compost tea tends to emphasize aerobic conditions, which are believed to create healthier microbes. In contrast, weed tea is often more about taking advantage of what’s available. You’re right about the dilution too; compost tea is often stronger due to higher nutrient concentration, while weed tea has been considered gentler, hence the 1:10. To each their own, really!