compost tea application rates?

[marlinspiker]

Im adding compost tea this spring to my PHC offerings and was wondering what application rate one applies this to critical root zone areas. Im new to the PHC side of things but want to offer a good organic program that i dont need a spray license for.

 

[Starlet]

what product are you using for the tea? and are you doing your own mixing? do you have a brewer?

 

[marlinspiker]

i havent brewed any yet. I designed my own brewer with a 100 gallon tank and an aerator. If all goes well I will probably upgrade to a Green Pro solutions set up. Im not sure what product to buy right now, but any help would be great. I would like to have this up and running in a few weeks.

 

[Starlet]

there is a company i buy from called rootgrow it is in long island. i will get you the info tomorrow. where are you out of? with compost tea what ever you brew you should use it all doesnt keep well.

 

[marlinspiker]

I am out of South East PA. thanks for the help.

 

[treegazer]

Just because it's not a chemical or fertilizer does not mean you don't need a license. I would check to make sure before you get to far along. If you are getting paid to apply anything to someone elses property you need a license, at least this is the case in WA & KY.

 

[treegazer]

Is your brewer on a skid in a truck or on a trailer?
Will the tea be aerated during transport and during application?

We added compost tea this past season wirh a green pro truck with mobile aeration in multiple tanks. The truck is set up so we are brewing on the truck.

I have been diluting 50% and applying at our fert rate.
Applying straight concentrate as foliar sprays.

We started with all the supplies from green pro but I am sourcing a more local source for compost, preferably worm castings.

You should get your tea analyzed by Soil Food Web to ensure you are making a viable product.

I'm looking forward to expanding in this in the coming year.

 

[tomthetreeman]

[ QUOTE ]
Just because it's not a chemical or fertilizer does not mean you don't need a license. I would check to make sure before you get to far along. If you are getting paid to apply anything to someone elses property you need a license, at least this is the case in WA & KY.

[/ QUOTE ]

Technically, that is the case here in RI as well.

-Tom

 

[Starlet]

the website for my products i use are www.rootgrow.com--they are in farmington n.y. he will also know what license if any you need there.

 

[treegazer]

Are you using these products in a compost tea brew or just mixing them with water and applying?

 

[Starlet]

compost tea brewer and they have ones just water for foliar sprays--so both there is a list of different products

 

[marlinspiker]

just checked with the PA ag department and you dont need a license to spray any plant nutrient product. only for pesticides and fungicides. good to know.

 

[Starlet]

i did not think you would, i know i do not need one. well also try this place on line called bio-ag. great prices

 

[tomthetreeman]

[ QUOTE ]
just checked with the PA ag department and you dont need a license to spray any plant nutrient product. only for pesticides and fungicides. good to know.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here in RI, I think. The catch is that oils, soaps and other products that kill bugs require a license, even though they are not pesticides in the chemical sense.

So be sure to list the benefits of compost tea as nutritional only, and you're good!

-Tom

 

[goodaking]

In CT any arborist for hire, giving advice, or service requires an Arborist license.

 

[tomthetreeman]

Goodaking, we're talking about a pesticide applicator's or 'spray' license. Not sure if you got that part!

-Tom

 

[goodaking]

Tom I’m on the same page as you. In CT an arborist license is a pesticide license. If a Company is conducting tree work for hire pruning, diagnosis, spraying, feeding, cabling, the company must have an applicators license. Take downs for some reason you don’t need the arborist license. Not sure why this is?

Not sure how it is in other states
just giving my two cents.

 

[Sylvia]

Here in Montana, we don't have a license for arborists (more's the pity). There are city business licenses in some areas, but no qualifications required.

For pesticide application you need an applicators license if commercially applying or advising (even if not applying). I recently obtained my Research and Demo Appplicators License specifically so I could perscribe and make written recommendations.

What I want to be able to do is educate people on why they should NOT be using the chemicals so easily obtained and, instead, opt for better cultural practices and organic methods. And yet, if I am making recommendations, technically I needed that license.

Sylvia

 

[Starlet]

so you need the license even for recommending a organic method/ get away from the chemicals? wow i like the research and demo license, sounds interesting. what did you have to do for that?

 

[tomthetreeman]

[ QUOTE ]
Tom I’m on the same page as you. In CT an arborist license is a pesticide license. If a Company is conducting tree work for hire pruning, diagnosis, spraying, feeding, cabling, the company must have an applicators license. Take downs for some reason you don’t need the arborist license. Not sure why this is?

Not sure how it is in other states
just giving my two cents.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you're saying that the applicator's license is included in the arb license? How does that work, do you need CEU's? I guess I should know this already!

-Tom