How to Make Cow Manure Tea

by Mike Lieberman on July 30, 2010 · 13 comments

Brewing cow manure tea.

I am making cow manure tea to use as a soil amendment in my container garden.

I’m brewing cow manure tea from Authentic Haven Brand.

The brewing process will take 1-3 days to complete. You’ll need the following:

  • One five-gallon container filled with water
  • Bag of cow manure tea bag
  • Towel or cloth to keep the bugs out

You just need to drop the tea bag into the bucket of water and let it steep for 1-3 days until it looks golden brown. Put a cloth over the top of it if you are keeping it outside to keep the bugs out.

For more complete instructions on how to make manure tea check out ManureTea.com.


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  • Cynthia

    This was very interesting and seemed so much eaiser than the vidoes I have been seeing from people using pumps to aerate the water and letting it brew for 24-48 hours and then skiming it etc. Does it smell bad?

  • Mike Lieberman

    Pretty easy and no stank.

  • http://www.the-kitchenette.com The Kitchenette

    My favorite part of this article was “if you are keeping it outside.” As if you might be keeping it inside, next to your pitcher of lemonade or something.

    I'm super impressed by this! You get points for being extra resourceful and EXTRA dedicated!

  • Mike Lieberman

    Hahah. Why not keep it inside?

  • http://nycgardening.blogspot.com/ Meemsnyc

    Oooh, this is something we have to try!

  • monica

    i gotta admit, i had the same thought the kitchenette did, “why in god's name would i be keeping that inside??”

    ok, so here's my next question: do you think horse poop would be as effective?? i run on the horse trails in griffith park all the time, and i'm constantly dodging an abundance of horse patties. now THAT would be super resourceful wouldn't it? of course i can just imagine the looks on the faces of fellow runners and equestrians when they see me collecting horse pucky….

  • Mike Lieberman

    Yes, you can use horse poop, but would have to make sure that it's composted and broken down. If you throw it on fresh, it will likely burn the plants. Wanna leave it out in the sun for a while to decompose.

  • Pingback: Container Gardening Grab Bag 8/1

  • http://www.the-kitchenette.com The Kitchenette

    Well, I was thinking that it would not be the most fragrant thing inside your house, but I stand corrected – You replied below to Cynthia saying that it didn't stink! Color me surprised.

  • Mike Lieberman

    I was surprised too.

  • http://twitter.com/GreenSoil Manure Tea Gardening

    Thank you Mike for growing Green with my Moo Poo Teas you and your garden will be better for it Naturally

  • Sarah

     For the self watering buckets would you just fill up the whole reservoir with this tea instead of the plain water? How often would you use this tea?

  • http://www.UrbanOrganicGardener.com Mike Lieberman

    yes fill up the reservoir. Can do it like once or twice  month.