Compost tea is actually a process for soil restoration.  Central Oregon probably has some of the worst soil in Oregon.  We have to feed it fertilizer consistently because our soil doesn't have much life in it because of our inability to break down organic material (we don't get much rain here), thus leading to poor soil conditions.  Compost helps restore soil to what it should be.

Our seasonal program starts with a top dressing of compost in the early spring. Then our signature compost tea is professionally applied once a month from May to September.  Aerated compost tea is a concentrated liquid containing billions of living microorganisms. It's used to restore a diverse population of critical beneficial bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in the soil. Once applied, the microbes instantly go to work breaking down organic matter in the compost layer, mobilizing the nutrients. As the microbes are consumed through the soil food web, the nutrients get released into the soil and become instantly available for plant uptake.

The soil food web is essentially the circle of life in our soil.  Without one of the elements, the food web will suffer.  This leads to poor nutrient uptake, increased soil compaction and decrease of beneficial off-gassing.

During the growing season, microbial activity will vary, especially with the plant needs.  Activity picks up as the plants need to exchange nutrients.  This builds healthy nutrient rich plants.

Microbes in soil play an essential roll in maintaining a safe and healthy organic lawn. Microbial soil restoration is the process of re-establishing and maintaining the required biology of healthy soil. Unfortunately, when traditional applicators spray synthetic chemicals to kill common pest, fungus, and disease; beneficial microbes essential to soil structure, water holding capacity, and organic plant nutrient interaction are eliminated. All plants including common grasses, flowers, gardens and trees can reach full potential with a healthy soil containing billions of microorganisms. Happy lawns and healthy plants are an important foundation for all landscape installations.

Lawns utilizing microbial diversity have a reduced amount of fertilizer and water necessary during the course of a season. Healthy soil reduces the possibly of disease and therefore resulting in the elimination of pesticide and fungicide use. Important beneficial fungal components build the water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil, increase root growth and reduce surface water run off.

The components of aerated compost tea include beneficial microorganisms, vital organic compounds and essential micro-nutrients producing and sustaining a diverse microbial population in soil. Healthy microbial ecosystems improve soil structure and porosity creating a better plant root environment, increases moisture infiltration-permeability, reducing bulk density of heavy soils improving moisture infiltration rates and reducing erosion and runoff. Improves the moisture holding capacity of light soils, reducing water loss and nutrient leaching, improving moisture retention. Improves the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils and supplies organic matter in growing media, encourages vigorous root growth, allowing plants to more effectively utilize nutrients while reducing nutrient loss by leaching, enables soils to retain nutrients longer and buffers soil pH.

Soil Food Web Image: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/nrcs142p2_049822.jpg
Seasonal Microbial Activity Image: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb1237707.jpg
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Soils:  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/soils/health/biology/?cid=nrcs142p2_053868