This is a compost tea brewer (pictured above, right) used at Harding Golf Course in San Francisco. They make aerated compost tea and add a little bit of Activated EM-1 just before they apply it to the course.
Compost Tea (Pro)
- Low cost to produce.
- Great way to get beneficial fungi and protozoa for soils and plants.
- Can be brewed on site.
- Easy to apply.
- Could brew pathogens without knowing.
- Inconsistent quality
- Requires an aeration unit and tank to brew
- Very short shelf life. ( 24 hours or less)
- Almost entirely aerobic microbes, lacks facultative microbes.
- High quality, consistent product.
- Easy to brew/increase populations (Activation)
- Can be brewed on site or shipped ready-to-use
- Easy to apply
- Contains large populations of facultative microbes, enzymes, trace minerals, vitamins, and organic acids
- Long shelf Life (about 1 year with the EM-1 and 30+ days for Activated EM-1)
- Multiple uses beyond horticulture (inoculate compost, odor control, improves water clarity in irrigation ponds, etc)
- Does not contain much fungi (yeasts only) or any protozoa
- Requires the purchase of a sugar source
- Following compost tea brewing instructions
- After aeration cycle is complete (up to 24 hours), turn off aeration.
- Add Activated EM1 Microbial Inoculant at a rate of 1 part AEM-1 to 50 parts Tea.
- Follow suggested tea application rates.
This gives you the facultative microbes, aerobic microbes, beneficial fungi, and protozoa groups in one inoculant. The microbes in the activated EM-1 will slowly release small amounts of oxygen into the liquid extending the life of the tea without requiring further aeration.
If you are experienced with compost tea already, you will notice improved results. TeraGanix has heard from several growers that they have had higher levels of nutrient values (vitamins, shelf life, higher brix, etc.) in a variety crops. You'll see why Dr. Higa has answered the question, "What is the best inoculant?" with "All of them mixed together."