C. 7. Tea Application Approaches

Foliar sprays

• 5 gallons per ac (50 L per HA) for each 6 foot of canopy

Soil Drenches

• 20 gal per ac (200 L/ HA) each spring and fall,
• Or combine with compost application in the fall, tea soil drench in the spring

Seed Treatments

• spray into seed surfaces in a light mist, not even enough to wet the seeds significantly
• roll seed or seed piece in solution of tea
• place a drench of tea below seed as planting in furrow

Aeration

• remove soil core and spray tea into the aeration hole
• re-fill the aeration core with compost – compost tea - sand mix

Caution: A tea high in sugar, high in carbon can set back plants. A little amount often is the answer, not a big dose and walk away. High sugar may mean bacteria and fungi grow fast, and since bacteria and fungi win in competition with plant roots for N, P, S, etc., the plant may end up being stunted.

High bacterial densities can overwhelm the leaf surface with high CO2 levels, keeping stomates open too long.

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