Madison enjoyed three nights of deep rain, which has made my garden pop.
When I know some consistent or heavy rain is on the way, I will add a few scoops of compost to the biggest bucket I have and let it collect rain in an a safe space to make one of the best fertilizers you'll find (and it's free!). Buckets can be drowning hazards, so if you are using this rain collecting method, please be sure to keep it away from and out of reach of children.
After allowing the bucket to collect water, allow it to steep for a day or so. I try not to let it steep too long in the summer because of mosquitos, but in the spring months you could let it steep for a few days to steep a longer tea. Also consider the amount of water in the bucket, since the more water you have the longer it will need to steep. It's like making sun tea, but with compost.
Making Compost Tea
Supplies:
A large bucket
Compost (and probably a shovel for scooping compost)
Water
Directions:
At least three scoops of compost
Allow rain to catch in the bucket, or add as much water as you would like
Once water is collected/added, allow the compost tea to steep til it is a deep brown.
Get ready to fertilize your plants!
Some people like to strain the compost out of the compost tea before they add it to a watering can. I would suggest doing this step if you would like to water individual plants, which I would do for fertilizing vegetables. Usually when I make compost tea I will add it to my perennial fruit bushes and trees. I usually just pour it strait from the bucket and leave the compost in the water without straining out.
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