Editors’ note: At TooCuteToFail we have whole-heartedly embraced the mantra “Strategies for Sustainable Families.” Recently a staff member mused that if we could adopt the mentalities and some of the techniques of the Greatest Generation that we would find ourselves more self-sufficient than any one of our contemporaries. With that in mind, we offer for your consideration — through a series of upcoming articles — of the notion of a victory garden.

In WWII (and WWI) victory gardens provided a morale boost and the idea that locally grown produce would make a community less reliant on outside sources for food and assist the war effort. How this would apply today is subject to some debate. However, if a natural disaster or some other infrastructure made food choice scarce and/or of low quality, you might be extremely thankful that you had a victory garden in your back yard. In modern terms you might be considered a “locavorist,” but the concept is the same. If you produce your own food you and your community become more sustainable. That is, more resilient should the national distribution network fail you in some way.

So, it is with all that in mind that we happily bring you the following suggestions for poo tea for your back yard …..

Tea Time: Do you want the perfect brew to make your plants happy and healthy? How about a little Manure Tea? No kidding! Making tea out of organic matters provides a liquid garden infusion that will make your plantings downright giddy! In the spirit of self-preservation and preparedness, think strategically about how to help your gardens flourish!

Organic matter of any kind is beneficial to any soil types. Manure is an aged-old excellent organic fertilizer, long known to add nutrients and improve drainage and soil productivity. You might be interested to know that the word manure comes from the old English word of manuren, which means to cultivate land. Cool, huh?

Regularly utilized in nourishing crop fields, aged manure can be just as beneficial in your home garden…and it’s inexpensive! Utilizing manures is part of promoting and enhancing the natural biological cycles of world so it’s eco-friendly too! Manures are chock full of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, among other nutrient, metal and minor elements essential for healthy and fertile soils…stuff critical for gardening success!

Be sure not to over-apply manure either. Too much nitrogen can stunt the potential of your plants. Other things to note, chicken manure is the lowest in salt content. Rabbit manure is said to have the least odor. Also, try to ensure that the animals producing the manure you utilize are not fed hormones or special additives. You don’t want synthetics transferred to your plants. We should be picky about our manure!

Ingredients/Materials

Gloves

1 qt aged manure (rabbit, chicken, cow, horse, goat, worm castings, and zoo doo)

1 old pillowcase, burlap bag or cheesecloth and tie

5-gallon bucket

4 ½ gallons of H2O

Soap and water for cleanup

1. Glove up.

2. Pour 1-quart aged-manure in the old pillowcase or porous fabric bag. Tie it closed.

3. Place bag in 5-gallon bucket.

4. Fill bucket with 4–½ gallons fresh water.

5. Steep tea bag for 24–36 hours.

5. The tea should be the color of strong coffee.

6. To use:

Pour off a portion into another bucket and dilute 1:3 until it’s the color of weak tea. Pour around outer base of plants. (Use this method especially for vegetables you are planning to harvest soon.)

OR

Fill hose-end feeder with full strength solution. Ensure good dilution of the tea as you are spraying it on your plants, trees and vegetables.

8. Wash your hands, please! Multiple times.

9. Soak your gloves in disinfectant or bleach water.

10. Step back and watch your plants take off!

11. Wash all vegetables and fruits thoroughly before consumption.

Make it strong and make it fresh. Time will turn it acidic. Know a rancher or farmer with barnyard animals? That’s a great way to get it cheap! Always be aware of the potential health risks associated with using manures and manure-based composts. There are simple tips to reduce risk and reap the benefits at University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

It’s understandable if you are a little squeamish about the manure part? Not all of us are barnyard happy. Try Compost Tea instead. Same recipe, but use a quart of compost, instead of a quart of manure. It’s still very healthy for your gardens.

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