The use of dried tea as fertilizer can be heard everywhere, although opinions on this matter are divided. Let's try to understand the current situation.
Experienced neighbors often recommend that novice gardeners and gardeners pay attention to the sleeping tea. There is an opinion that flowers, vegetables, and berries can grow several times larger if it is added to the soil from spring to late autumn.
In private farms, sleeping tea is used as mulch and sprinkled under various plants. However, to do this, over the winter period it is necessary to collect a sufficient amount of used tea leaves, and this is the biggest difficulty.
Let us remember that mulching is the surface covering of the soil with a layer of mulch to improve its properties, using organic fertilizers and a variety of materials. widespread in most countries of the world.
Mulch fights weeds: a 5-centimeter layer reduces their growth several times. The weeds do not receive enough light under the material and die.
When mulching, the evaporation of moisture from the soil is reduced, and its top layer remains loose. In heat and drought, mulch protects plants from death: it prevents the top layer of soil from overheating. Mulching is also used in the fall to protect the soil from weathering and freezing. Mulching is one of the most effective ways to keep plants healthy.
In addition to sleeping tea, hay, straw, leaves, bark, decomposed compost, as well as paper and cardboard are used as organic mulch. Inorganic mulch is also used: stone, gravel, sand. We do not recommend using rubber and plastic, since it is almost impossible to check their chemical composition. Recently, nonwoven materials have also been used.
However, it must be remembered that sleeping tea as mulch attracts insects, worms and birds, which use it for food.
Of course, it is necessary to add sleeping tea when planting outdoor flowers, placing it at the bottom of the pot, on the drainage. Rotten tea leaves give plants additional nutrition. Rose bushes also like to be fed with drunken tea, including those diluted with water. Ferns desperately need it. The only thing you need to remember is tea leaves used as fertilizers should NOT be sweetened. Sweet tea will attract ants and various insects that do not benefit the plants.
Dried tea has many beneficial properties. For example, tea leaves contain tannins, which are necessary for the full development of plants. These substances are acidic in nature and have the remarkable property of reducing the ability to rot. Using it as intended, you will undoubtedly be satisfied with the results.
The benefits of drinking tea as a fertilizer are also indicated by the fact that it makes the soil, especially clayey soil, lighter. Added to sand, it, like plant residue, enriches the soil. In addition, plant waste retains moisture well in the sand. The advantage of drinking tea is the neutralization of alkaline soil. The downside is the creation of favorable conditions for the catastrophic reproduction of soil flies, although this applies mainly to potted crops.
However, many gardeners and gardeners consider sleeping tea to be a neutral substance that carries neither benefit nor harm. And they believe that sleeping tea cannot be called a fertilizer in the full sense. This is just an additive, a soil filler, a soil loosening agent.
Use tea leaves as fertilizer as an infusion (1 cup of dry used tea leaves per 3 liters of boiling water). Gladioli, tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers respond well to dry sleeping tea; add to the holes immediately before planting. Before sowing seeds, fertilize the soil with tea at the rate of 500 g per 1 sq.m.
So, sleeping tea causes controversy among gardeners. We have presented all the pros and cons and encourage you to experiment, observe and share the results of your own experiences with us.
Tea is a popular warming drink that is found in almost every home. But it is precisely for gardeners and vegetable gardeners that its presence is important. Why? Because tea can be beneficial for plants and soil if used as fertilizer.
Mineral composition of tea
Tea contains many beneficial minerals. But such substances are present only in large-leaf varieties. Leaves from bags are not used as fertilizer, but can be used to form drainage.
- Potassium. Plants need it throughout the growing season, but most of all it is needed during fruit ripening.
- Calcium. Participates in protein-carbohydrate metabolism.
- Magnesium. It is the main component of chlorophyll. If there is little of it, photosynthesis deteriorates.
- Manganese. Promotes the growth and development of the root system and green mass.
- Sodium. Helps transport sugars.
- Iron. Participates in the respiratory processes of plants.
In addition to the above mineral components, tea also contains other substances. But their quantity is significantly lower, which means they do not have a significant effect on plant crops.
Using tea leaves for plants in open ground
Dried tea is often used as a fertilizer by experienced gardeners. The dacha is a great space for experimentation. Most often, organic fertilizers are applied to the garden plot. Organic matter is well absorbed by crops and does not have a harmful effect on the human body.
Brewed tea used for fertilizer should be without sugar. Otherwise, fertilizing will attract ants to the area.
Tea leaves are used for the garden as:
- feeding;
- soil disintegrant;
- mulch;
- component to be added to .
Tea fertilizer
You need to pour one glass of dried tea leaves into a three-liter jar of hot water and let it brew. The liquid can be used as a top dressing after it has completely cooled.
Loosening the soil
Not everyone is lucky enough to have black soil in their possession; often only clay soil can be allocated for a garden bed. It is difficult for the root system of plants to develop in it due to the dense structure of the soil. If you add tea leaves to the garden bed in early spring while digging or weeding, the quality of the soil will improve over time.
Tea leaves, decomposing, will make the earth more airy, lighter and fill it with nitrogen. The process of growing green mass in garden crops depends on the amount of this element in the soil. Typically, experienced gardeners take 500 g of tea leaves per 1 square meter. m. Additionally, other fertilizers.
Mulching
Tea leaves can be used as mulch. To do this, already used leaves are collected and brought under the bush. The layer should be thick. Then it will protect the soil from drying out. As it decomposes, the tea leaves will turn into nitrogen fertilizer. It is best to combine it with other types of mulch, or additionally liming the soil. Especially on acidic soils, you need to be careful not to further acidify it.
Adding to the compost pile
Many summer residents add used tea to the compost heap. Its acidic environment promotes faster rotting of plant residues. In addition, tea leaves do not contain weed seeds, like other compost components.
It is recommended to start collecting tea leaves in advance. This can be done already in winter. To dry future fertilizer, you can sprinkle it in a thin layer on a sieve or sieve. When the leaves are completely dry, all that remains is to put them in a glass or plastic jar and store until spring.
The use of sleeping tea for indoor plants
Tea leaves as a fertilizer for house flowers are often used in the home and office. Houseplants love this type of feeding very much. It is enough just to water the flowers from time to time with tea diluted in plain water.
Tea feeding will contribute to the development of:
- cactus;
- hibiscus;
- spathiphyllum;
- fern;
Tea leaves also help improve the air permeability of the soil in pots. To do this, you should use it in the process of preparing the soil: combine the soil and tea leaves in a ratio of 3:1.
This soil is perfect for flowers that have a fragile root system:
- clivia;
- violets;
- begonias;
- peperomia.
But tea bags are perfect for forming drainage. You need to lay such a product or dry tea leaves in several layers at the bottom of the flowerpot and they will become a wonderful alternative to expanded clay - the soil will not spill out through the holes.
The tea will also help retain moisture in the pot itself, which will reduce the number of waterings. This will be useful during the heating season and when you have to leave home for a long time.
Summarizing
The product under discussion is a low-concentrated and safe organic fertilizer. It should be used in combination with other fertilizers, including mineral ones.
Do you use tea as a supplement? If yes, then share how exactly. Or maybe you have some unconventional method of using it?
Are tomatoes not pleasing with their appearance? Are the bushes weakened and the number of fruits decreasing? Use tea leaves at all stages of growth. Methods of application will help not only to grow seeds, but also to get a rich harvest without resorting to chemicals.
How does tea leaves affect soil and tomatoes?
Not every brew has a positive effect on the soil and growing tomatoes. Only a decoction of large-leaf black tea will help saturate the soil:
- potassium, which tomato seedlings need most;
- calcium, which accelerates all metabolic processes in plants;
- magnesium, which improves photosynthesis processes;
- manganese, which helps in the formation of a strong root system;
- iron - its lack can cause leaves to curl.
There is no point in using dried tea leaves as fertilizer. The concentration of useful components increases only when water is added; the temperature of the decoction should not be high. Before watering, it is better to cool the infusion to room temperature. This is necessary in order not to damage the root system and not to disrupt the respiratory processes of the seedlings.
Within a few weeks after drinking the tea, tomato leaves will become greener, the number of inflorescences will increase, and resistance to various diseases will increase.
Methods of application
The tea leaves can be used both in solution and in dry form. Application in solution is described above. Dry tea leaves are best added to compost pits, tablets for growing seedlings, as a means of compacting the soil.
Tablets for seedlings
Recently, peat tablets have become widespread. With their help, you can shorten the germination time of seeds and get stronger seedlings. Not every gardening store sells peat tablets, but you can make them yourself by replacing peat with tea leaves.
Attention!
For production, use natural black tea without additives, which often lead to the development of mold and death of seedlings.
Method No. 1
Brew strong tea. Do not throw away the tea leaves, but while it is wet, place it in a small container. Chocolate marmids are perfect. After compacting the tea leaves into the container, wait until it dries completely. You will receive small tablets with seeds in the center. It is better to place the tablets with seeds in the soil and water according to a schedule.
Method No. 2
Tea can be dried in bags. Brew it well and wait until it dries completely. Afterwards, carefully open the bag and place the seeds in it. The method is less environmentally friendly and traumatic for the seedling, since the paper will not completely dissolve in the soil, and it will be problematic to remove the seedling.
Filler for sowing seeds
If you did not have time to prepare the soil in the fall, then before sowing in the soil, in addition to the main fillers - river sand, peat, turf soil, add black tea leaves to the soil. It will take a little, but, unlike ready-made mineral fertilizers, it provides a slow supply of nutrients without causing harm to the still fragile root system.
Compost
For the compost pit, choose a place without strong drafts and in the shade. The depth should not exceed 1 meter and the width - 1.5 meters. Place thick tree branches on the bottom (fruit trees can also be used). They will act as a drainage system that removes excess moisture. Next, start filling. One brew is not enough here. For the fermentation process, place earthworms, leaves, dried grass, remains of roots, fruits (rotten ones are suitable for use) in the pit. Add each new layer. It will improve the fermentation process and shorten the time due to the tannins contained in the tea.
Fertilizer
It can be used to prepare the land before the sowing season and for feeding. For the first option, mix the soil with dried tea leaves and dig up the beds. And for the second - once a month, water the holes with sleeping tea.
If you don’t deny yourself a cup of aromatic tea every day, over the winter you will accumulate a good amount of tea leaves that can be used on your site next season.
1. Compost
The easiest way to make the most of your tea leaves is to add them to your compost pile. The tea will enrich your compost with elements beneficial to plants. In particular, dried tea leaves are a natural source of nitrogen.
In addition, tea leaves, due to the tannins they contain, activate decomposition processes, which means that the compost will rot faster.
Before adding tea leaves to your compost pile, be sure to check that the bag and tag do not contain synthetic elements that cannot be digested by microorganisms. Such materials are usually smooth to the touch, and it is difficult to confuse them with paper. If the tea bag is not natural, remove it before composting.
It is also a good idea to use used tea bags to wipe down indoor plants. This way you will not only carefully clean the leaves from dust, but also feed the flowers.
2. Fertilizer
Tea leaves can be used as an environmentally friendly fertilizer at any phase of plant growth. Applying such tea fertilizers is very simple - just dig them in the top layer of soil in the tree trunk circles. Gradually decomposing, the fertilizer will saturate the soil with nitrogen.
The big advantage of this fertilizer is that it has a prolonged effect and releases elements gradually.
It also doesn’t hurt to bury some ash in the soil along with the tea leaves.
If you plan to apply tea leaves for planting, it is recommended to dry it first. Dried sleeping tea can be poured directly into the holes.
If you drink tea with sugar, the tea leaves must be rinsed before use. Otherwise, ants will crawl onto the “sweet stuff”.
3. Tablets for seedlings
Used tea bags may well serve as a worthy alternative to peat tablets for growing seedlings.
It is enough to open the top of the bag, add a layer of universal soil for seedlings on top and sow the seeds there. When shoots appear and the seedlings reach the picking phase, they can be transplanted into pots or open ground directly in a tea bag.
The tea leaves will serve as a good fertilizer. In addition, such a transplant will not damage the roots of the young plant. For some crops (for example, pepper), this is a real salvation, because they react painfully to picking.
4. Soil improver
Sleeping tea (especially loose tea) is an accessible, cheap and environmentally friendly means of improving soil structure. Welding makes the soil more loose, and therefore air- and moisture-permeable.
5. Mulch
Another smart way to give a second life to dormant tea is to use it as mulch.
Brewed tea leaves will retain moisture and gradually decompose, maintaining “life” in the top layer of soil.
In addition, tea mulch inhibits the growth of weeds - you will have to weed the beds less often.
It is worth considering that some gardeners complain that such mulch easily becomes moldy. Well, trying is not torture. Why not try it? The main thing is to regularly loosen the mulch layer.
Share this important information with your friends on social networks!
READ ALSO
Many gardeners know about watering indoor plants with tea. Tea leaves are often used as a method, but much more useful substances are contained in liquid form, so watering with tea leaves is considered more useful. This method has many supporters and opponents. Some believe that such feeding will not bring much benefit, others believe that if used correctly, the effect will be amazing.
Composition and benefits of tea leaves
Tea has long been considered a healthy drink, but it must be used in doses and brewed correctly for it to be beneficial. This also applies to indoor plants.
First you need to determine the needs of the plant and the level, since tannins contained in tea reduce the acidity level.
The tea contains the following substances beneficial to plants:
- Potassium. The tea leaves are rich in potassium, which performs an important function - it promotes the growth and ripening of fruits. Tea contains it in moderate quantities, so you don’t have to worry about an overdose of potassium.
- Calcium. Calcium is an important participant in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The normal formation of a plant largely depends on calcium.
- Magnesium. Magnesium is part of chlorophyll. Accordingly, when there is not enough magnesium, photosynthesis deteriorates, the plant becomes weak, grows slowly, and the leaves turn yellow.
- Manganese. This trace element is involved in photosynthesis and vitamin synthesis. It is responsible for the normal growth and development of the plant’s root system.
Tea also contains other microelements, but there are few of them, so the effect for the plant will not be too noticeable. Another useful property of brewing is the reduction of aluminum levels, which slows down plant growth and negatively affects yields.
Also, tea leaves can be used in dry form to fertilize and create drainage. Mulch from tea leaves allows moisture to be retained in the soil longer, so the plant will not require frequent watering.
In order for tea leaves to be beneficial and not harmful, you need to use it correctly. Tea cannot be considered harmless, since it contains not only beneficial substances. The danger lies in both overdose and improper use of this fertilizer.
When using welding, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Tea must be pure, without any flavoring additives or aromas. They will only bring harm to the plant.
- The choice of tea is determined by the needs of the plant. You can use green, black or herbal tea, as long as it is not strong.
- There is no need to add sugar to the tea leaves. Although it is believed that this is healthy, sugar leads to the formation of fungus and mold and attracts various insects. Sweet tea can also kill the root system.
- You can use stale tea, but it must be fresh, that is, there should be no smell or traces of mold on it.
- Tea is not water; you cannot water plants with it every day. Such feeding is carried out either once a week, or only when replanting the plant.
- To prevent mold or bugs from growing in the flower pot, the tea leaves can be used dry. The amount of useful substances in it is less, but the likelihood of causing harm to the flower is reduced.
- If the tea leaves are used as mulch, it should be lightly sprinkled with soil. First, the soil is loosened, tea leaves are added, and soil is sprinkled on top again. You should not leave the tea leaves on the surface, as it will harbor bugs and midges.
- Tea can be used warm or at room temperature. Boiling tea can kill the plant. The best option is tea, the temperature of which is 30-40 degrees.
It is worth remembering that tea leaves as a fertilizer are not useful for all plants. Flower growers believe that cacti and ferns respond best to such feeding.
Fertilizing and watering using tea leaves have both pros and cons. The main advantage of this method is its accessibility. Tea leaves are found in every home and are quite easy to use. There is no need to look for special fertilizers and dilute them in a special way. At the same time, the benefits of tea leaves have long been known.
Among the advantages of this method the following facts are also mentioned:
- Tea leaves scare away cats. Cats quite often nibble on plants and throw soil out of the pot. To repel pets, gardeners use various methods, for example, citrus peels. But no less effective is tea leaves, the smell of which repels cats.
- You can use tea leaves in a variety of ways. In addition to watering, tea leaves act as mulch or even drainage. When replanting a plant, it is recommended to supplement the drainage with tea leaves. By the time the roots grow to the bottom of the pot, the tea leaves will already rot and become an excellent fertilizer.
- Ease of use. Simply water the plant with the remaining tea. This is a simple procedure that anyone can do.
The method also has several disadvantages. For example, not every tea is suitable. It must be pure, without additives, and fresh. The presence of any chemical impurities will lead to a negative result. Overmoistening is also a negative factor. Often the use of tea leaves can lead to chlorosis. You also need to monitor the strength of the tea. Tea that is too strong will harm the flower, and tea that is too weak will not be effective enough.
The disadvantage of the method is its non-universality. Not all plants like such fertilizers. If the flower prefers acidic soil, then after watering it with tea it will begin to hurt.
More information can be found in the video:
Loading...